verifying the type of alcohol for cleaning attys

[JonnyVapΣ]

*This just in*
Literally, from my DroidX....just got the current coupons from Harbor Freight and the ultrasonic cleaner is now $59 with coupon....LOL. That's $20 off.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Do you guys reuse your alcohol or just throw it away after one use?

I'll reuse it a couple of times unless I put a whole bunch of stuff in all at once. It works really well for atomizers, carts and cart filler.

 

[KissMint]

*This just in*
Literally, from my DroidX....just got the current coupons from Harbor Freight and the ultrasonic cleaner is now $59 with coupon....LOL. That's $20 off.

I was planning to hold off shopping for a couple of weeks. Been getting too many packages lately.

 

[erikalin]

91% (or higher) isopropyl. Check. Thanks, guys.

 

[illuxion]

I either use ethyl alcohol because I have huge supply of it at work, 99% IPA because it's cheap at wallyworld, or methanol because I have a 55 gallon drum of it in my garage because I do water/.... injection on my subaru

I tried cleaning the mirror on one of my cameras with 91% once and was horrified at the crap it left behind. I cleaned it again with ethyl and it was clean as could be. Just because you can't see what 91% left behind, don't assume it's clean.

 

[JonnyVapΣ]

I'd stay away from using methanol. I know it's corrosive to aluminum but not sure about other parts such as the nichrome used in the atomizer filaments or it's supports..or even the solder that connects everything.

 

[illuxion]

I'd stay away from using methanol. I know it's corrosive to aluminum but not sure about other parts such as the nichrome used in the atomizer filaments or it's supports..or even the solder that connects everything.

I just drip a few drops through it then rinse it with DI water. .... is brutal on too many metals. It cleans it very well though lol.

 

[JonnyVapΣ]

For the cost of your CAI you can get a decent ultrasonic cleaner. Breaks up the junk with plain ol water.

 

[illuxion]

For the cost of your CAI you can get a decent ultrasonic cleaner. Breaks up the junk with plain ol water.

I have a 2 gallon heated that died earlier this year and swore I was going to fix it, but you know how things go lol.

Oh and the red piping isn't a CAI, its intercooler piping for the front mount intercooler. My intake is really short and sucks in hot engine bay air(the big red foam bullet is my intake filter), There's a 6" silicon elbow with a little 4" block for the MAF that the filter connects to. For the cost of the piping I could have bought several ultrasonic cleaners lol I won't even mention the rest of it, I should have bought a Ferrari

 

[Stosh]

Still think Everclear is the best, one for the atty, one for me, one for the atty, two for me.....
so I count strangly, sue me

 

[dspin]

No, I picked it up at Home Depot, that along w/the veterinary syringe bought at tractor supply. I use to use 91% iso alcohol, but like this better.

That stuff available in places like CVS?

No PGA in NY either but 160proof vodka works just about as good its what I use, and almost as cheap as Iso alcohol.

 

[dspin]

Throw it, its contaminated after 1st use

Do you guys reuse your alcohol or just throw it away after one use?

 

[french]

I just soak mine in boiling water for about 2 mins then let them dry. I also give new atomizers a dunk in the boil before I run them. I don't know about the whole Isopropyl thing and if it really has an advantage. Has anyone done the pepsi challenge as far as cleaning methods, frequency, pg/vg etc?

 

[TypeOholic]

No, I picked it up at Home Depot, that along w/the veterinary syringe bought at tractor supply. I use to use 91% iso alcohol, but like this better.

This explains why I have not been able to find it at the drug stores I have gone to looking for it. Off to the Orange Empire tomorrow. Thanks!

Has anyone done the pepsi challenge as far as cleaning methods, frequency, pg/vg etc?

I tried cleaning 2 cartomizers in coke but I think it is better suited for atomizers that do not have any filler inside. The cartos I cleaned still work but they seem to draw hard now. I'm not sure if it was the coke or if I just blew them out too hard and packed the filler. But, other cartos that I have cleaned with water and iso alcohol have not had this issue and I blow them out the same. I can't say for sure it is the coke but I think it is. Someone else may have better advice on using that method for cartomizers.

 

[french]

This explains why I have not been able to find it at the drug stores I have gone to looking for it. Off to the Orange Empire tomorrow. Thanks!




I tried cleaning 2 cartomizers in coke but I think it is better suited for atomizers that do not have any filler inside. The cartos I cleaned still work but they seem to draw hard now. I'm not sure if it was the coke or if I just blew them out too hard and packed the filler. But, other cartos that I have cleaned with water and iso alcohol have not had this issue and I blow them out the same. I can't say for sure it is the coke but I think it is. Someone else may have better advice on using that method for cartomizers.

Thanks TypeOholic I haven't tried that yet. I meant "pepsi challenge" as the old "one versus the other" pun ala the 80s pepsi vs coke commercials.

I have been skeptical of the coke method as a cleaning solution also. I do know that the acids in the coke can break things down however with the sugars and other ingredients I would assume it to be be worse than if you put e-juice in it. Coke has a higher sugar content than e-juice. Using neutral seltzer/soda water and add citric acid (lemon juice or actual dissolved powdered lemon salts) would have the same effect without all the sugars and additional additives.

 

[spider362]

I think it should actually be Diet Coke instead of regular Coke, but I could be getting it confused with the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment.

 

[mycro]

thanks u guys for the postings about the isopropyl alcohol to clean attys
in the past, tried diet coke, hot water, that mouthwash that was mentioned...
i cleaned some old 801 attys that barely worked (and had a funky taste), and some 901 attys and cartos and really happy with the results so far, only had some 71% iso alcohol at the time I did it tho.
I did notice with the diet coke and the mouthwash, that i would see bits of black from the coil (i think) come off, not so with the alcohol tho.
Next time, I might try a two step cleaning with the diet coke first and the iso alcohol (90%)second.
Anyways-even tho I only had the 71% isoproply alcohol at the time it seems to have helped the attys that I tested (since they've dried, a couple of 901's and an 801, and cartomizer, vaping like new.

 

[VanderVape]

Found 'em!

Cartridge Maintenance
Atomizer Maintenance

I watched both of them, and I am so glad that you put these up. I wasn't thrilled by some of the other videos I watched where people were blowing the attys and carts out. Bleh! lol That and these help kill the germs on them as well.

OH and what a great way to re-use that ashtray! lol

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I watched both of them, and I am so glad that you put these up. I wasn't thrilled by some of the other videos I watched where people were blowing the attys and carts out. Bleh! lol That and these help kill the germs on them as well.

OH and what a great way to re-use that ashtray! lol

I'll blow out my attys, but they're only being used by me when I do that. Isopropyl Alcohol is a good antiseptic, but it has to be at least 70% alcohol. That's why I always use 91% and I soak for at least 10 minutes, sometimes longer. I have a 200mm fan on top of my computer that I sit them on to dry overnight. I've also started de-wicking my attys and it seems to be keeping them much cleaner. The flavor is also cleaner and tastes much better.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I'll blow out my attys, but they're only being used by me when I do that. Isopropyl Alcohol is a good antiseptic, but it has to be at least 70% alcohol. That's why I always use 91% and I soak for at least 10 minutes, sometimes longer. I have a 200mm fan on top of my computer that I sit them on to dry overnight. I've also started de-wicking my attys and it seems to be keeping them much cleaner. The flavor is also cleaner and tastes much better.

Dewicked atty's make life alot easier for awhile I had been using carts for testing out new flavors and my DIY stuff, realized I was causing myself extra hassle having to soak that atty alot more then my regular dripping atty the wick traps alot of extra crap that has to be soaked out when you could of just blown out the dewicked one.