70% rubbing alcohol

[guitarmeetsjake]

Can 70% be used to clean atomizers? I have an atty that's very gunked up and it's currently the only thing I have to use. I was thinking about soaking it for a few hours and then rinsing it out with water, blowing it out, and using the atty resurrection method. Would this work okay?

 

[Mindfield]

It'll work. Just make sure it is bone dry before using it. Frankly though I'd use PGA (if I could get it in Canada) or vodka. At least then if you accidentally vape some it's not that bad.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Inhaling isopropyl alcohol can easily cause blindless and liver damage. I would advise against using it to clean any attys, carts, or cartomizers.

You might want to look into denture cleaner tablets that you can soak your atty in overnight.

 

[Randyrtx]

+1 on PGA. I use 190 proof Everclear.

 

[guitarmeetsjake]

I've heard these things, which is why I posted the thread. But as I said, it's all I have at the moment and I REALLY need to clean it soon. Won't rinsing it with water really well and burning it dry get most, if not all, of the alcohol out? If not, I guess it can wait until I can go to the store and get some vodka or everclear.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Won't rinsing it with water really well and burning it dry get most, if not all, of the alcohol out?

If you let it completely dry, you probably will be ok. But only you can determine if it's worth the risk to yourself.

 

[Nomoreash]

I've used iso since I started vaping to clean my attys, it evaporates quickly but if you feel better using PGA or something else use it. If you're going to use iso I would recommend getting the 91 percent which is available at most places as it's more pure and will evaporate faster.

 

[sam.8]

You can also use vinegar. If you don't rinse it well it tastes horrid but won't cause harm I find it works really well.

 

[carpedebass]

I cleaned mine twice with 71% Iso. Blow through it a few times and the alcohol is gone. First time my atty returned almost like new. Second time it worked OK, but the atty was crapping out anyway.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Vinegar also works better than alcohol. Vinegar is a weak acid, so it eats away at the gunk faster than alcohol, which is only a solvent.

Distilled White vinegar would be the best type of vinegar to use.

 

[guitarmeetsjake]

You can also use vinegar. If you don't rinse it well it tastes horrid but won't cause harm I find it works really well.

I rarely use anything other than water, but I have used vinegar once and it worked great! I usually just rinse my attys and blow them out every other night. Its fast and easy and I don't feel that any hardcore cleaning is involved as long as you keep it blown out and rinsed clean at least every other day. That's just my personal opinion from my experiences. But this one atty is gunked up to the point that it is not working, so it's going to need a hardcore cleaning. Wish I had some vinegar lying around..
You see, I just got moved into my dorm, so I don't have all of my usual cleaning supplies on hand. And I'm stuck in here for a little while because my student ID is not working on the door scanners. So if I leave the building, I get locked out :/. I can't go get it fixed until 2. But I have a massive urge to get this atty working again

 

[sam.8]

Also for a super dirty atty, you could add baking soda to the vinegar (same thing for really baked on stuff on pots and pans - works great) let it soak, rinse and voila... new atty.

 

[AttyPops]

1) ISO won't kill you unless you're extra stupid and do something like drink a pint of it.
2) I rinse atties with hot water anyway. 70% ISO vs 91% ISO... lol who cares? Just get the alcohol out, blow it out/rinse it out real well.

3) Your title said rubbing alcohol. Now the real caution.... Some things sold as rubbing alcohol are meant for sore muscles and have other things in them like oils, fragrances, etc. So make sure you are using the proper stuff. The ingredient list should say "Isopropyl Alcohol, Distilled Water" AND THAT'S IT. If it has anything else, don't use it.

The 70% stuff doesn't evaporate as well, so blow out the atty real well and rinse since it tastes like crap.

For all the people that keep saying "ISO is poison, don't use it".... so is alcohol (vodka). lol. It's just a matter of quantity (and how it gets metabolized).

If anyone has any real info on rinses with ISO (other than the usual MSDS which indicates it's OK) and vaping, I'd love to see it. Otherwise, quit scaring people. Very small amounts of ISO get metabolized, and don't cause blindness or liver damage.... but if you're not blowing out the atty or rinsing it...you're too dumb to use it, so don't. Even the few drops in an un-rinsed atty probably won't hurt ya, if you could even vape it all.

 

[fray]

I have used iso alcohol but prefer to use everclear. The everclear evaporates quickly and I don't have to worry about making sure all the iso is out.

If you use iso I would take a few draws and don't inhale. If you tatste any isopropyl then put it aside to dry longer.

I'm not certain of the toxicity of such a small amount of isopropyl alcohol so I am just cautious

 

[hairball]

I use alcohol, pga, vodka, and denture tab. Make sure you rinse the atty after the cleaning.

 

[Mindfield]

I use alcohol, pga, vodka, and denture tab. Make sure you rinse the atty after the cleaning.

Denture tabs? That's not a bad idea! But don't they have flavouring in them?

 

[carpedebass]

Denture tabs? That's not a bad idea! But don't they have flavouring in them?

Yes, but look at the secondary benefits...they'll keep your dentures sparkling white!!

 

[Mindfield]

Yes, but look at the secondary benefits...they'll keep your dentures sparkling white!!

Just the thing to go with my shiny, healthy coat!

 

[Darrigaaz]

For all the people that keep saying "ISO is poison, don't use it".... so is alcohol (vodka). lol. It's just a matter of quantity (and how it gets metabolized).

If anyone has any real info on rinses with ISO (other than the usual MSDS which indicates it's OK) and vaping, I'd love to see it. Otherwise, quit scaring people.

Information like this is why manufacturers have to put warnings not to use powertools while taking a shower.

Not all alcohols are created equal. ISOPROPYL alcohol is NOT like ETHYL alcohol (drinks). The body can't process it.

Here are a few links showing the dangers of inhaling even small quantities of isopropyl alcohol.

What Are the Dangers of Inhaling Rubbing Alcohol? | eHow.com

Side Effects of an Accidental Inhalation of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol | eHow.com

 

[fray]

Information like this is why manufacturers have to put warnings not to use powertools while taking a shower.

Not all alcohols are created equal. ISOPROPYL alcohol is NOT like ETHYL alcohol (drinks). The body can't process it.

Here are a few links showing the dangers of inhaling even small quantities of isopropyl alcohol.

What Are the Dangers of Inhaling Rubbing Alcohol? | eHow.com

Side Effects of an Accidental Inhalation of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol | eHow.com

This is good information.