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Author Topic: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol  (Read 20895 times)

charlest

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? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« on: January 13, 2008, 09:36:17 AM »
No, not the alcohol in bourbon.

Ok, to test this concoction I mixed some SG concentrate with denatured ethyl alcohol, 50/50. It turned a funny milky green. Immediately I am wary. I used it but it seemed neither as effective as straight SG nor as effective as plain ethyl alcohol. It was okay, but nothing special.

I'm wondering what happened to the mixture, because it turned that strange color.

Should I use plain isopropanol (isoprpyl alcohol), instead of the much stronger denatured ethyl alcohol??

By the way, in case anyone was worried if I were cheating, while straight denatured ethyl alcohol is illegal, it is or was the main ingredient in many Storm cleaners. I saw it on their labels. So, if it is diluted enough, I assume it's safe for resin coverstocks.

Any ideas, guys?


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TTforshort

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2008, 05:59:36 PM »
I would suspect that the alcohol absorbed the water in the SG. Isn't this one reason we use alcohol to "dry" out gas tanks?

I have never tried mixing the two components you mention. I have used both alone and not impressed with either.


TT
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jbruno6

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2008, 06:10:02 PM »
turned orange, correct?  i use it, but its not as great as I had hoped.  Nothing like a pro shop cleaning.
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charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2008, 06:11:40 PM »
TT,

I find ethyl alcohol quite potent for a lot of the dirt on bowling balls. SG does leave a residue, which I think, is why some people use plainhousehold alcohol with it.

For "dry gas", the main component is methanol, which is quite toxic to humans. It does "dry up" water in gas, as it condenses in colder weather in gas tanks. I think with so much of our gasoline now having ethanol in it, there's less need for dry gas these days.
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chadw1974

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2008, 06:12:55 PM »
Don't waste your time with this stuff. I was using a mixture of SG/water/alcohol & it wasn't getting the job done on my Resurgence. My Resurgence had become the weakest ball in my bag so I bought some good ball cleaner last weekend & it perked the ball right up. I instantly gained 9 boards of hook by using a better cleaner.

charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2008, 06:14:27 PM »
quote:
turned orange, correct?



What turned orange?

My mixture went from the clear kelly green of pure SG to a milky mint green, when I added the alcohol.

quote:

 i use it, but its not as great as I had hoped.  Nothing like a pro shop cleaning.
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I still prefer Legends cleaner, but I wanted to see what others have found in this often recommended mixture of SG and alcohol.
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charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2008, 06:15:13 PM »
quote:
Don't waste your time with this stuff. I was using a mixture of SG/water/alcohol & it wasn't getting the job done on my Resurgence. My Resurgence had become the weakest ball in my bag so I bought some good ball cleaner last weekend & it perked the ball right up. I instantly gained 9 boards of hook by using a better cleaner.


Agreed.
I still prefer Legends cleaner, but I wanted to see what others have found in this often recommended mixture of SG and alcohol.

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johns811

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2008, 06:15:49 PM »
I use SG, water (i buy the concentrated SG because it goes farther) and rubbing alcohol. About equal parts. Works fine, no color change. SG by itself seems fine also.

scotts33

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2008, 06:16:18 PM »
quote:
Agreed.
I still prefer Legends cleaner, but I wanted to see what others have found in this often recommended mixture of SG and alcohol.


I kinda wondered too.  I use Legends cleaner also.  Gave up on SG couple years back.
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RandyO

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2008, 06:19:21 PM »
I only use Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with Simple Green - either the 70% or 90% strength Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with concentrated Simple Green in an approximate 10:1 ration (more alcohol than SG). I've never tried any other alcohol on my bowling balls.

charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2008, 06:19:23 PM »
quote:
I use SG, water (i buy the concentrated SG because it goes farther) and rubbing alcohol. About equal parts. Works fine, no color change. SG by itself seems fine also.


must be the ethyl alcohol vs the isopropyl alcohol that responsible for the color change. I'll test it in some tiny portions to check.

Yup! that's it.
SG + isopropyl = clear green
SG + ethanol = milky green

Chemistry just fascinates me. Wonder what's going on.
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Edited on 1/13/2008 7:29 PM
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J_Mac

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2008, 06:27:32 PM »
Hmm... the mixture I use is equal parts SG, 99% Isopropyl alcohol and water.  

We have some sort of alcohol at work now for dealing with a new, water based primer.  I think I'll grab a few ounces of this other alcohol, verify what type it is, and see if I get the same results Jeff.
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charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2008, 07:12:50 PM »
Thanks, Jon.

I used 70% isopropyl since that was all we had in the house. I have been looking in several different supermarkets and drug stores and it's been a long time since I've even seen the 91% isopropyl. It's out there somewhere.

Maybe I'll try some Witch Hazel. Love the way that smells!

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J_Mac

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2008, 07:21:41 PM »
quote:
Thanks, Jon.

I used 70% isopropyl since that was all we had in the house. I have been looking in several different supermarkets and drug stores and it's been a long time since I've even seen the 91% isopropyl. It's out there somewhere.

Maybe I'll try some Witch Hazel. Love the way that smells!



I would imagine that Witch Hazel is mostly distilled or deionized water...

But I'd be wrong - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_hazel_(astringent)
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charlest

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Re: ? for those who use Simple Green + alcohol
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2008, 07:23:10 PM »
No, Jon, I really, really love the way it smells!
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