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**MikeB** · 03-01-2006, 07:40 PM

Rubbing alcohol

Hi William-
By rubbing alcohol I think you mean isopropyl alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a solvent to paint and will remove most things with paint over time. The paint on your EK will peal over time if you get rubbing alcohol on it. I would not use it. Hope this helps. Mike

**Tiger 1** · 03-01-2006, 09:36 PM

Out of curiousity where did you find the info that rubbing alcohol is a paint solvent?

The only paint I see it used in that capacity is in Tamiya hobby modeling paints as a substitute for the much more volatile solvents used in higher adheasion paints. Alcohol should not effect a true solvent based paint that has dried and cured.

I have used rubbing alcohol for years as the least reactive solvent for removing sticker and tape glue from EKs and other medals and badges. Never had a problem with any surface surface peeling on either paint or silverplating. I guess it depends on the technique used.

The progression of solvent strength is mineral spirits, benzine(lighter fliud), lacquer thinner, acetone, MEK in roughly that order for reactiveness with painted surfaces. On plated items none will harm the metal. Use extreme caution with using the last three as they will remove paint in a hurry. Likewise latex or rubber gloves are recommended as these volatile solvents will be absorbed thru your skin and do damage to some internal organs over time.

Just some thoughts.

Tony

**MikeB** · 03-02-2006, 06:45 AM

Rubbing alcohol

I should have been more specific when I answered the last question. For everyone, a solvent is a solution that breaks down the essential properties of paints and varnishes, lacquer, shellac, oils, grease, and adhesive residues. Rubbing alcohol may be used on many surfaces as a cleaner as it loosens dirt and evaporates fairly quickly to prevent rust on metal surfaces. When I mentioned isopropyl alcohol as a solvent, I forgot to mention that it will remove "latex" paint, even dried latex. Latex and other water based paints have been around since the early 20th C. To remove "enamel" paint you would need different solutions such as acetone or lacquer thinner. Other oil type paints would require other solvents. As you mentioned, rubbing alcohol is excellent for removing adhesives, even from plastics without harming the plastic. For further reference on rubbing alcohol as a solvent, and other solvents you can read www.techlib.com Search paint removal for the site. Hope this helps. Mike

**Tiger 1** · 03-02-2006, 09:21 AM

Thanks Mike,

Interesting link. One can never have too much 'learning'.

Tony

**all1knew** · 03-02-2006, 08:48 PM

Thanks

Hello,

Thank you for the information.

William Kramer

**MikeB** · 03-03-2006, 07:42 AM

Rubbing alcohol...

The only other thing I can say about rubbing alcohol is that when you buy a bottle of it at the pharmacy it has normally been diluted with water. There is an "industrial" strength rubbing alcohol that has alot less water in it. If you use too much of the regular formula, you do run some risk of having paint peel from corrosion that might occur underneath it due to the water leaking through cracks in the paint or fissurs in whatever might be covering the metal. The less diluted formula usually evaporates very quickly and rust is not as great of a risk. Hope these additional thoughts help. Mike

**gregM** · 03-03-2006, 09:27 AM

We use MEK at work for removing glue. This stuff will eat through just about anything. AND it will give you quite a BUZZ just before the headach starts.

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