Cleaning wire before use?

[absoluttalent]

So with kanthal, i never bothered to clean the wire before use. Figured when I glowed it, it was fine.
Nickel, i didnt either.

But Ive been seeing people talking about wiping wires down (nickel, titanium and SS) with alcohol wipes and such. Is this really neccessary? And if so, if I used alcohol with a cotton ball, is it the same thing?
Does it have to be a rubbing alcohol or will vodka work?
I also have a small bottle of 99% electronics cleaning alcohol, would that be safe if I let it dry completely before use?

 

[puffon]

alcohol is a alcohol. They all work to cut the oils.
I dry burn TC wires at 600f after wiping.
Works for me......

 

[USACelt]

I think it is prudent to clean the wire, I use PGA and a cotton ball then rinse with tap water before working with it.

 

[minitater]

I've done maybe 3 or 4 hundred coils. Never cleaned the wire and never had any issues. Obviously, it can't hurt, but I don't see the need.

 

[93gc40]

You can use what ever applicator you want to clean the wire. Reason for alcohol is that it leave little to no residue behind. Part of the reasoning for wiping Ti and Nickle and stainless to a lesser extent, is the bad things that happen, oxidation wise, with these wires when you get them red hot in the first place. Not supposed to dry burn nickle or Ti at all.

 

[DaveP]

I haven't tried TC even though my box mod supports it. I'll get around to it. I can see how cleaning is necessary for TC wire applications.

I'm still using 28ga Kanthal and a small propane torch to anneal the wire and make it hold a set when I'm winding and installing a coil. I wipe it right after annealing.

Looks like it depends on the application whether you burn it or not.

 

[GccTxs67]

I just use a damp paper towel to wipe it off, then wipe it with a dry one before coiling. Then I pulse it.

Do the same for all wire.

 

[DaveP]

I've done maybe 3 or 4 hundred coils. Never cleaned the wire and never had any issues. Obviously, it can't hurt, but I don't see the need.

I don't clean it either, but I do wipe it after torching it. It's just so agreeable after being red hot for a few seconds. You wind it around a mandrel and it stays put without trying to unwind. I like that. Wrestling with a coil that acts springy while positioning it around the screws or in the holes is no fun.