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Cleaning rock with rubbing alcohol

Original Post
Fred Gomez · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 820

I've heard of some people cleaning off holds on their projects with rubbing alcohol. Never heard about this until I moved to the east coast. I guess the idea is to clean off any sweat/dirt/grime that might accumulate on the holds. Seems kind of weird to me, but it could be affective. My conscience tells me its evil, but I don't really have a good reason for believing this.

What are your thoughts/opinions about this?

G McG · · Victoria, BC · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 60

Downgrades it 2 V- grades!

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I'm guessing this is directed to boulderers who would be cleaning off their holds? A brush dipped in alcohol could do a nice cleanup I suppose. Evaporates away quickly.. Just don't use organic cleaning agent like acetone as it can damage the rock surface and is harmful to the climber in many ways.

Nick Barczak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 75

"...Just don't use organic cleaning agent like acetone as it can damage the rock surface and is harmful to the climber in many ways."

sarcasm?

Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10
Woodchuck ATC wrote:I'm guessing this is directed to boulderers who would be cleaning off their holds? A brush dipped in alcohol could do a nice cleanup I suppose. Evaporates away quickly.. Just don't use organic cleaning agent like acetone as it can damage the rock surface and is harmful to the climber in many ways.
So you mean like nail polish remover?
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
Jason N. wrote: So you mean like nail polish remover?
Well it is an ingredient of nail polish, but I was thinking more of 100% straight chemical form. I use it to clean the rubber on my shoes, but try my best to keep it off my skin. Nasty stuff.
Jason N. · · Grand Junction · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 10
Woodchuck ATC wrote: Well it is an ingredient of nail polish, but I was thinking more of 100% straight chemical form. I use it to clean the rubber on my shoes, but try my best to keep it off my skin. Nasty stuff.
I think this might be inaccurate. I used acetone all the time in chem labs in college, all it does is give you this weird cooling sensation and maybe dries out your skin a bit. Sure, we typically have gloves on for chem lab anyways, but it isn't something we'd make sure we have gloves on for when handling it. Looking at the "fire diamond" the biggest danger of it is flammability, which is almost moot because how fast it evaporates.

FYI, rubbing alcohol would also be considered an organic solvent.
rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265

i've seen many a sink fire started from residual acetone fumes from cleaning of glassware...both are not really harmful in any small amounts and would work to help dissolve various other chemicals such as those composing sweat, oil, etc...

Jason N. wrote: I think this might be inaccurate. I used acetone all the time in chem labs in college, all it does is give you this weird cooling sensation and maybe dries out your skin a bit. Sure, we typically have gloves on for chem lab anyways, but it isn't something we'd make sure we have gloves on for when handling it. Looking at the "fire diamond" the biggest danger of it is flammability, which is almost moot because how fast it evaporates. FYI, rubbing alcohol would also be considered an organic solvent.
Nick Barczak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 75

I'm a professional organic chemist by trade, having completed my PhD last summer. So I have lots of experience with acetone. Really not harmful, unless you drink it. As for ethanol on the rock. Probably would in fact do a decent job of scrubbing off oils left by your skin. Actually, the 'liquid chalk' stuff that comes in a squeeze tube is mostly just a suspension of chalk dust in ethanol.

Trust me, I'm a doctor. ;-)

and just remember....beakers of bubbling blue solutions = SCIENCE!!

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I just recall that acetone is carcenogenic after long exposures, but then again, what isn't these days. Think most non organic chemist types also won't be finding a liter of it easily either.

Eric Krantz · · Black Hills · Joined Feb 2004 · Points: 420

Acetone by the liter can be found in any paint section of a hardware store.

It's also frequently used on animals skin in dermal tests... I believe because it can dissolve the lipids and help carry the chemical that's being tested into the skin.

Joe Huggins · · Grand Junction · Joined Oct 2001 · Points: 105

Isopropanol is a great low toxicity solvent-cheap and fast evaporating. Bottom line-not evil, but maybe a little anal.

nick frazee · · bozeman, MT · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 115

if you cant send your project without alcohol, maybe its time to take a long hard look at your life....

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

I used to huff my siters nail polish remover...

J Q · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 50
Fred Gomez wrote:I've heard of some people cleaning off holds on their projects with rubbing alcohol. What are your thoughts/opinions about this?
Bad idea. The alcohol makes the chalk penetrate the pores of the rock deeper than water or how they would penetrate without a solvent. It makes a slugy paste that really sinks in to the texture of the rock. The end result is slicker holds in the long run. I have seen this happen to several problems in Hueco.
Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Trisodium Phosphate.
Mix it up in a spray bottle.

thomas ellis · · abq · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 2,615

Water. I have cleaned many holds with it. It does have side effects, cools skin, hydrates if you swallow, local plants will absorb it and grow!

Bob Dergay · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 101
thomas ellis wrote:Water.
+1... all we need is a bunch of people thinking that pouring various solvents onto holds is the only thing holding them back...
S.Stelli · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 150

What about the rubber that is apparent on any foot placements on any popular routes/problems anywhere in the world?

How do we get rid of that easily without impacting local wildlife or vegetation or smelly hippies or the rocks themselves?

thomas ellis · · abq · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 2,615

You stand on it.

S.Stelli · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 150
thomas ellis wrote:You stand on it.
stand on the vegetation or the hippies? =)
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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