Who uses Isopropyl Alcohol to clean their Tank Attys?

[Mitch40]

I've searched somewhat here in the forum but can't find anything on the use of IA for cleaning tank atty's, specifically the TW Tornado atty. I used to have the 510 attys and I cleaned them only with iso. alcohol. I would let them dry above the fan on my computer. I remember this was Cozzicon's (sp?)
idea to clean the 510's. I have cleaned my tank atty's 2 times with the alcohol and they still work fine. Even the finish coating on the outside has not been damaged by alcohol. Just wanted some more input or who else uses this cleaning method?

 

[puffpuffexplode]

bump.... I am also interested if this works I just purchased a ultrasonic cleaner for my attys and have bottles of IA around.

 

[Old Chemist]

IPA stinks - and that's the real disadvantage. What's more - it doesn't clean the atty better that PGA or hot water. So I personally can't see any reason for using it.
One question: what grade/purity is that IPA? Is it USP grade? AR?

 

[Tendril]

I would be very careful when it comes to using isopropyl to clean plastic (tanks). In my experience isopropyl alcohol, at least the stuff you buy at Walgreens, in 70 and 90% etch hard plastics (like thick plastic cups and bowls). I've ruined lots of plasticware over the years thanks to this. At least if you let the alcohol dry from the container the plastic cracks and the (clear) surface takes on a different texture and almost opaque white appearance. Now, this hasn't happened to me if I wash the alcohol out so it might not be a problem for the purposes of cleaning tanks but I would be wary.

 

[pkj]

I clean my tank atty's with IA and have had from good-to-superior results. I do not put plastic cartridge into IA. Have lost the finish on a couple. I'm one of those people who don't care about color or finish. Just give me flavor

Paula

 

[Old Chemist]

pkj - did you try other methods? PGA? Boiling water?

 

[zoiDman]

I like to clean with White Vinegar verses IPA or PGA.

 

[pkj]

Yes. I have tried PGA. Find it does not break down atty build up as well as IA.

I have tried boiling water. It is more time consuming and does not provide any better results.

IA at 90+% evaporates completely. No taste. No residue. Dries super fast.
Breaks down 'most' build up on my atty's.
Works for me.

Paula

 

[Dirgon]

When I used the eGo-Ts I cleaned the atties with Crest Pro Health Mouthwash. I found I actually got some black specks out of them, especially the older ones. It did, however, tend to leave behind it's minty flavor in the attie if I left it soak too long. It went away by dripping a few drops of unflavored VG through it to the coil and vaping through it.

I tried using isopropyl on my eGo-T atties, but it always removed the finish (black batts with stainless atties did not look very nice, to me) and I never saw any gunk come out, all it ever really did was remove any residual e-liquid.

I always cleaned my tanks (the plastic tanks that you fill with liquid) with isopropyl, and continue to clean my drip tips and any/all mouthpieces I use in isopropyl in order to sanitize them.

Edit: I use 90% iso.

 

[Mitch40]

I would be very careful when it comes to using isopropyl to clean plastic (tanks). In my experience isopropyl alcohol, at least the stuff you buy at Walgreens, in 70 and 90% etch hard plastics (like thick plastic cups and bowls). I've ruined lots of plasticware over the years thanks to this. At least if you let the alcohol dry from the container the plastic cracks and the (clear) surface takes on a different texture and almost opaque white appearance. Now, this hasn't happened to me if I wash the alcohol out so it might not be a problem for the purposes of cleaning tanks but I would be wary.

I use the 97% IPA and it has worked fine for my tank atty. I did use the IPA to also clean the tanks with the mouthpiece. And then I just use a new cap for the tank. BTW the caps that TW sells now look like they are made of a silicone type material and I haven't cleaned them in the alcohol. I agree with pkj in that I have good results with cleaning my atty with alcohol. It leeches out the old juice and alcohol dries fairly quickly.

Also what is PGA? Is that Pure Grain Alcohol?

 

[Mitch40]

When I used the eGo-Ts I cleaned the atties with Crest Pro Health Mouthwash. I found I actually got some black specks out of them, especially the older ones. It did, however, tend to leave behind it's minty flavor in the attie if I left it soak too long. It went away by dripping a few drops of unflavored VG through it to the coil and vaping through it.

I tried using isopropyl on my eGo-T atties, but it always removed the finish (black batts with stainless atties did not look very nice, to me) and I never saw any gunk come out, all it ever really did was remove any residual e-liquid.

I always cleaned my tanks (the plastic tanks that you fill with liquid) with isopropyl, and continue to clean my drip tips and any/all mouthpieces I use in isopropyl in order to sanitize them.

Edit: I use 90% iso.

Dirgon, I have the TW atties and the finish has not come off them yet from the 97% IPA. And they are the black color ones.

 

[ConnieBGood]

bump.... I am also interested if this works I just purchased a ultrasonic cleaner for my attys and have bottles of IA around.

I just bought one too. Was told to put my cartos in shot glass with alcohol (vodka? lol) place in cleaner, then fill cleaner per instructions. On another post read where it could change the taste, vapor or TH of carto. May have to run cartos through 2 or 3 times. I have other uses for my cleaner but sure hope this works! Won't get here for about a week since I just ordered. Can't wait to try it! Anyone else use one?

 

[Mitch40]

I just bought one too. Was told to put my cartos in shot glass with alcohol (vodka? lol) place in cleaner, then fill cleaner per instructions. On another post read where it could change the taste, vapor or TH of carto. May have to run cartos through 2 or 3 times. I have other uses for my cleaner but sure hope this works! Won't get here for about a week since I just ordered. Can't wait to try it! Anyone else use one?

Where did you buy your cleaner from??

 

[the.vapyre]

I use 91% IA in an ultrasonic cleaner. I run it multiple times sometimes leaving it soaking in it over a couple of days. Then I boil a small glass of water in the microwave and throw the atty in it and stir it around a little. Then I take it out and stick it in the oven at about 325F for about 7 min. to dry. No tastes left at all. I have tried distilled water, vinegar, PGA. None of which seems to work better than IA.

 

[MagnusEunson]

I use IPA for two main reasons: 1) It's cheaper to get in 97-99% form than PGA is and 2) It works better for the "sticky" flavors that seem to linger with PGA or just a boil. However, I do usually immerse into a rolling boil of water for a few seconds before using IPA after that and then fan or dehydrator dry. -Magnus

 

[Ever1ast]

I've been using 91% IPA for pretty much everything with good results (haven't found any higher than 91 yet). Standard, LR, 306 attys, drip tips, used plastic carts, etc. Use it on a Qtip to clean off the battery contacts. Had a Ce2 XL clearomizer with a juice in it that I couldn't stand so I took all the rings out of it and soaked it for a day and a half...the residual alcohol in the container was brown, but it removed the juice, the smell, and the darkened color from the wick. I think the only thing it hasn't cleaned for me is the really baked on hard stuff on the coils. For that I'm planning on getting an ultrasonic as well to see if that works for me. I also soak my juice bottles in it when they're empty if I want to re-use/re-fill them. Cleans them, removes the juice smell (mostly) and removes the gummy stuff from the stickers on the outside.
As mentioned above, I also had a black atty that started looking rough after a while in the alcohol. Just took a toothpick, scraped the rest of the finish off, de-wicked it and made it into a flavor testing atty. Other than that, I've had no trouble with it.

 

[ConnieBGood]

Where did you buy your cleaner from??

Amazon.com (Amazon.com: Original Bogue Systems .. Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner .... Cleans Jewelry + Optics + Eyeglass + Cd + Dvd with Sonic Waves + More: Electronics) Since it was 24.95 with free shipping on orders over 25.00 I also got this. (Amazon.com: Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger: Electronics) I can charge 2 batts at a time with the 2 usb outlets on it. Was only 10.88 and the shipping would have been 7 something . I can use it for other things also so I thought it was a good deal.

 

[Nomoreash]

I also use 91% IPA for everything. It works just as well or better and evaporates just as quick or quicker than anything I've tried and it's cheaper. It doesn't remove baked on crust from the atties but nothing does except a dry burn which I've found dry burning after using IPA is a little faster and easier to do than after other solutions.

 

[rave]

I do care about the paint finish because that's how I tell my flavors apart - so, I don't like to soak in alcohol because it will quickly remove some colors. It does remove the crud really well. I'm doing a little experiment right now that has probably already been tried but I've never read about it. I have five eGo T-atties that taste fairly awful, so I cleaned out the tanks, filled 'em with 91% ISO, and stuck them back on the attys. They are on a paper towel soaking right now with the mouthpieces up in the air. Even if the alcohol leaks out, it won't kill my paint. I'm thinking that I'll let them soak overnight, empty them out tomorrow, give them time to dry, pitch the tanks, and hope for the best. Anyone ever tried this?

 

[pkj]

I do care about the paint finish because that's how I tell my flavors apart - so, I don't like to soak in alcohol because it will quickly remove some colors. It does remove the crud really well. I'm doing a little experiment right now that has probably already been tried but I've never read about it. I have five eGo T-atties that taste fairly awful, so I cleaned out the tanks, filled 'em with 91% ISO, and stuck them back on the attys. They are on a paper towel soaking right now with the mouthpieces up in the air. Even if the alcohol leaks out, it won't kill my paint. I'm thinking that I'll let them soak overnight, empty them out tomorrow, give them time to dry, pitch the tanks, and hope for the best. Anyone ever tried this?

I have not. Please keep us posted as to how this works for you. It sounds like a logical plan.
Thank you.