Methanol vs Isopropyl Alcohol in soap

[Sequoia]

My 3-bay SS is in a climate with freezing temps in the winter.

I've previously added methanol to the soap in the winter time. I was told that doing this helps prevent freezeups and it has mostly worked.

I noticed elsewhere that 99% isopropyl alcohol is the agent commonly used in windshield washer fluids and as an anti-freezing gas additive. I was curious if this would be an acceptable substituition for methanol?

The stuff is not cheap. I was quoted about $28 for a 1-gallon container.

 

[Randy]

Use Methanol it’s cheap than Isopropyl alcohol. All of the Windshield fluid and Gas line anti-freeze I’ve ever used has Methanol in it not Isopropyl alcohol. Methanol is made from natural gas. Isopropyl alcohol is made from Propene.

 

[sparkey]

Where do you buy methenol and what does it cost? I buy my soap with the methonal already in it and was wondering if it is cheaper to mix it myself?

 

[Reds]

It's a racing fuel and can be bought at speed shops. Be carefull it's explosive just like gasoline

 

[mjc3333]

I buy my Methanol from my local chemical supply house in 55 gallon drums. Just like Gasoline, the price fluctuates. Right now it is about $175 per 55 gallons.

I then mix Simoniz Brush with Ease into the drum directly at 2 gallons (brush with ease) per drum (55 Gal meth).

I then use a 6 to 1 tip on my Hydrominder for the final winter mix.

This ratio is good for about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. You my need something stronger (lower temp) or weaker (higher temp) depending on where you are located.

In my area, nobody uses the foam brush when it is under 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

I only have it good for 10 degrees Fahrenheit so the line itself does not freeze solid.

 

[Rudy]

Ditto, I just bought 55 gallons of methanol for $175. We'll add a 5 gal. pail of soap additive, and we'll be good for the winter.

BTW, we change the hydrominder tip depending upon the expected "sustained" low/high temperature. You'll get a knack for it after a while. I can't remember the "colors" used, but there's a tip that protects down to about 20F, and that carries us 80% of the time. Only when bitter cold is expected, do we put the next larger tip in....and it comes out when moderate weather resumes several days later.

 

[Jeff_L]

I haven't used methanol in my foamy brush soap before, so I'm a novice. You're mixing a 5gal pail into a 55gal drum, I assume you use different methods of rolling, shaking, or stirring the drum to make sure the mix is as even as possible? Then you use a large tip in the hydrominder to minimize the water mix, I understand that. How does the product look at the brushes then? Still come out like shaving cream, or is it pretty watery and not foaming up as much?

 

[Rudy]

Our summertime foam soap is green and smells like spearmint. This wintertime mixture is pure white, and has essentially the same consistency. It is unscented. Also, I have a changeover system, so the only time my customer doesn't get green/spearmint is when it's below freezing.

To mix, we siphon out just enough meth to allow room for the soap. We do this outside, and by the time we put it on a handtruck and "muscle" it into the equipment room, it's sufficiently mixed. After the mixture goes down a little from usage, we replace the siphoned meth. It's not exact, but, trust me, it's close enough.

BTW....Because the soap we use is specially formulated for use with the meth.....this is why we've not experienced any mixing issues.

 

[rph9168]

In most cases you need to use a lower dilution ration than if you were mixing with water to get equal results. In some cases the mixture may separate and cause some problems. To make sure the soap you are using is compatible I would recommend you mix a small amount and let is sit for a day or two make sure there are no separation issues.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

While i am in the coldest climate, but have never used any anti freeze in the brush because of our insulated buildings and garage doors. I was wondering if anyone has just thought of purging the lines with air when the brush is shut off or maybe it would still freeze while using it.

 

[rph9168]

I have seen some operators do both a winterized soap and air purge to their lines. From what I have seen if you only air purge unless you can thoroughly purge the line you risk freezing in sections of the line that are not cleared properly. I have also seen lines freeze if the temperature drops below the winterization level. Most play it safe and make sure they winterize well below what they feel they need.