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Where to get Isopropyl alcohol (hardware related)

Z

Zukatah

Senior member
I want to know where I can get 99% Isopropyl alcohol. I went to some drug stores and they only had 70% ones in stock. Does it really matter if it's for cleaning the CPU/Heatsink before spreading some AS3?

Thanks for your help!
 
I used the 70% stuff from WalMart on my heatsink last week, and have had no problems yet. I only used it on the heatsink, and not the cpu.

I'd use it, and then let it dry for a bit. Not sure if its okay to use on the cpu itself though.
 

isopropyl alcohol is very hygroscopic. that means is sucks water from the air very fast.

99% wont be 99% for long. 70% is perfect for what you need.
 
alcohol is fine, but if there is already AS on the core, regular dish soap is best to clean it off, then use alcohol to clean the soap off.
 
Originally posted by: RockyMaivia
I used the 70% stuff from WalMart on my heatsink last week, and have had no problems yet. I only used it on the heatsink, and not the cpu.

I'd use it, and then let it dry for a bit. Not sure if its okay to use on the cpu itself though.
Click to expand...

you could put your cpu under water and it would still work. as long as you let it completely dry. you can use alcohol on your cpu. alcohol evaporates really quickly.
 
Thanks for your replies guys, it's really appreciated!

A simple thought: why does the Artic Silver website say you should use 99% instead of 70%? Is it because there's less water and it will evaporate quicker???

 
Aceton works but you have to clean it with Isopropyl alcohol before spreading Arctic Silver (so their website says)...
 
this is true 99% would become 70 or so without much effort .. anyway if you want to be anal =), and "technically accurate" you want to find denatured alcohol .. 70% works just fine really ..
-neural

- i don't know where you would find 99% other than trying to make it ..

 
I work in a Quality Control lab... If you really need it, and if laws permit(shipping), maybe we can work something out! Dion
 
70% isopropyl is pretty much the best stuff out. Denatured leaves zero residue, but 70% leaves close to zero, so this will be fine for pretty much anything you will do.
 
I just bought some 99% IPA at Long's Drugs in Southern California. It was around 2 bucks or so. So look around, it's out there.
 
Denatured alchohol is actually ethyl achohol though, plus stronger stuff like ethyl acetate, methyl alchohol and methyl ethyl ketone. It's only 82% or so ethyl alchohol. They add some stuff in order to poison it so you can't drink it, the rest is to denature it. But it's not isopropyl alchohol, and since it is more toxic, it's probably not a good idea to be using it without gloves on and in very well ventilated areas.

That said, I use denatured alchohol to clean keyboards and mice (fill a plastic tub enough to cover the device, swish it around, let it soak, pull it out, dry as a bone in about an hour but I leave it overnight anyway). I don't bother with gloves either. Too many things cause cancer in lab rats for me to be concerned about a little bit of chemical once a year or so.

And I know I spell alchohol wrong. It's now become pathological, I can't avoid putting the extra H in.
 
I have dealt with electronics for probably 30 years in one form or another. This includes doing electronic assembly. I am a Amateur Radio Operator and have also done Video maintaince and repair for over 10 years.

I would NEVER use drug store rubbing alcohol, either 70% or 90% on anything electronic. As far as isopropyl alcohol absorbing water, how fast does this happen? If you keep the container covered that shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure if it WAS a problem, there wouldn't be a need for a 99% version.

Also, I would NEVER use anything as strong as lighter fluid or nail polish remover on any plastic part. They soften the plastic and could cause cause problems.

To answer the orginal question: Most electronic supply houses:

Mouser, Digi-Key, MCM, for starters.
 
I've used regular old 70% isopropal alcohol to clean off my cpus for years now. You shouldn't have any problem with it at all. I suppose you could go the extra mile to get 99%, but I don't think there's any point.

Let everything dry, and you'll be AOK.
 
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