From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.basics

Hi. Is it okay to clean wires with 99% isopropyl alcohol? Does it
degrade the plastic insulation or anything like that? Some hydraulic oil dripped on a large bunch of wires and I need to get that cleaned up. I
have a large bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol with a convenient sprayer attachment, so this would be a very convenient option if it is not a bad
idea for some reason.
--
Christopher Howard
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.basics

On 8/22/2025 11:36 AM, Christopher Howard wrote:

Hi. Is it okay to clean wires with 99% isopropyl alcohol? Does it
degrade the plastic insulation or anything like that? Some hydraulic oil dripped on a large bunch of wires and I need to get that cleaned up. I
have a large bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol with a convenient sprayer attachment, so this would be a very convenient option if it is not a bad
idea for some reason.

Yes. It won't hurt the insulation. Wipe all the oil you
can off the wires with a paper towel, spray the alcohol on
and wipe again. Repeat the spray/wipe as needed to get all
the oil off. It won't hurt the insulation or the copper
wire itself.

Ed
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.basics

On 22/8/2025 11:36 pm, Christopher Howard wrote:

Hi. Is it okay to clean wires with 99% isopropyl alcohol? Does it
degrade the plastic insulation or anything like that? Some hydraulic oil dripped on a large bunch of wires and I need to get that cleaned up. I
have a large bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol with a convenient sprayer attachment, so this would be a very convenient option if it is not a bad
idea for some reason.

Don't just ask in Usenet.... ;)

Northwest Fix
https://northwestfix.com/
--
@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
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From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.basics

Christopher Howard <christopher@librehacker.com> wrote:

Hi. Is it okay to clean wires with 99% isopropyl alcohol? Does it
degrade the plastic insulation or anything like that? Some hydraulic oil dripped on a large bunch of wires and I need to get that cleaned up. I
have a large bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol with a convenient sprayer attachment, so this would be a very convenient option if it is not a bad
idea for some reason.

Isopropyl alcohol is a poor solvent for mineral oil.

And, mineral oil isn't particularly hard on most plastics.
The only harm I've seen is when polyvinyl chloride plastic
is immersed in mineral oil. It got stiff and brittle, but
not quickly, the effect takes months.

I'd just wipe up the oil. If you want to be thorough, a good
detergent and water wash might help and will do no harm. A
good rinse will be the hardest problem.

If you could figure out what the insulation material is that
would help a lot. Older PVC-insulated wiring is definitely
sensitive to embrittlement. Modern insulation will be mostly
or completely immune.

If your concern is the oil getting into other places you
don't want it, that's a separate problem.

hth,

bob prohaska

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