Stupid question about cleaning FX carbon fiber bottle...

[yenniedn]

Hey guys,

This is probably a stupid question but I wanted to know if there's anything wrong with using some rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to clean the outside of an FX carbon fiber bottle. One of my M3 bottles had some decals on it and when I removed them, they left behind some sticky residue. Normally in these situations, a little rubbing alcohol will remove the residue with a little effort but I just wanted to know if the alcohol would potentially hurt the epoxy (or whatever it is) on the bottle. Filling these things up to 250+ bar, I don't want to mess with the integrity of the bottle so anyone know if it's ok to clean it this way?

If not, what's a better way of removing the residue without using alcohol?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[delooper]

My impression is isopropyl alcohol does not damage bonded carbon fiber tanks, like yours. Usually these carbon fiber tanks are made with an epoxy resin, and isopropyl alcohol is fine with most epoxy resins.

That said, you might want to contact the manufacturer just to be certain of what they're using to bond those carbon fibers together. You could probably ask them if isopropyl alcohol is safe. Some users here likely know for certain, but I think you have a high likelyhood of being safe.

 

[Boomerang66]

Try some WD-40

 

[grackleblast]

Goo - gone. Citrus based cleaner. I have used it on multiple surfaces and never had issues. It's not expensive and no foul odors.

 

[Firewalker]

I agree with others, you are not cleaning the carbon fiber, you are cleaning the epoxy coating and iso is safe as is goo-gone but don't soak or leave it on the surface.

 

[cwcarrera]

Hey guys,

This is probably a stupid question but I wanted to know if there's anything wrong with using some rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to clean the outside of an FX carbon fiber bottle. One of my M3 bottles had some decals on it and when I removed them, they left behind some sticky residue. Normally in these situations, a little rubbing alcohol will remove the residue with a little effort but I just wanted to know if the alcohol would potentially hurt the epoxy (or whatever it is) on the bottle. Filling these things up to 250+ bar, I don't want to mess with the integrity of the bottle so anyone know if it's ok to clean it this way?

If not, what's a better way of removing the residue without using alcohol?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I have used isopropyl alcohol to clean the outside of well used SCBA tanks with no apparent ill effects. I think that @Gerry52 was in the business and has a good deal of knowledge on this subject, maybe he can weigh in on this topic. I am also interested to know what the professionals would use for this job.

 

[starlingassn]

alcohol would be fine,as would goo gone.

only thing i wouldn't use is acetone.

 

[Gerry52]

What "starlingassn" and "cwcarrera" said. Ballistol too, if you have any on hand.

 

[bigHUN]

IPA and Varsol can work well.

 

[yenniedn]

Thanks for all the replies, guys - appreciate it!

 

[FelixS]

I concur with all the comments, nothing to add but agreement.