Recent reports suggest that using too much alcohol-based products like mineral spirits or acetone to wash your car can potentially harm your vehicle’s exterior paint. Luckily, there are some more affordable alternatives that you can use instead!
Many people have heard of rubbing alcohol as a cleaning agent, but many don’t know what kind of effects it has on painted surfaces. Some say that it will actually eat away at the protective layer of the paint, while others claim it is just very difficult to get rid of. Either way, doing this wrong could cost you money!
This article will talk about some safer ways to clean cars and minivans and explain why using alcohol is not the best option for every situation.
History of paint
As we know, painting is a very ancient skill that has been practiced by many cultures across the globe. Painters have gone through different stages to achieve their current state where they use elaborate brushes and materials such as oil or acrylic paints.
When most people think about painters, they imagine someone with a lot of decorations and special effects in their work. These are typically called “tricks” or “effects” because they are not necessarily essential to what you would call normal painting.
For example, some artists may choose to put an interesting pattern on their canvas using only solid colors and no textures at all! This is totally legitimate and fine art. It just takes a creative person to appreciate it.
History tells us that early humans painted natural patterns and shapes on their bodies and objects to decorate and identify them. They also used this technique to depict things suchas animals or stories. When these patterns were still visible, it helped protect the surface from further damage or destruction.
It was not until around A.D. 1400 that people started writing words and stories on their surfaces using oils and other mediums.
History of lacquer
Lacquers are a complex chemical compound that go onto your car’s surface to give it protective coating. They are typically made up of two components: one is an alcohol, and the other is a solvent. The alcohol can be either acetyl or butyryl chloride, and the solvent is usually toluene.
When applying most types of new coatings to cars, you must use a proper balance of both these chemicals in order to get the best result. When painting with spray paints, there is a standard ratio for what proportions of each you should have at your disposal. This way, people who do not know how to use spray paint may still create great looking coats!
That being said, when using mineral spirits as a primer, there is no set ratio for how much liquid you need. Some say a drop per side of panel will work just fine, while others suggest doubling this amount.
What is mineral spirits?
Mineral spirits are an important part of any professional painter’s toolbox. They are used to wash most types of clear coats off of painted surfaces before you start painting new colors or layers onto the surface.
Most people know that alcohol-based products like paint thinners can remove gums, solvents, and other residue from your cleaned up tools and surfaces, but some may not be as familiar with what kind of alcohol liquids they contain.
Typically, these chemicals contain ethanol (alcohol) so make sure to never use anything else instead! Ethanol is sometimes mixed in with another chemical compound called naphtha. Naphtha is more expensive than regular gasoline, but it will work just as well as far as removing dried down oils and residues.
There are two main reasons why we need to use mineral spirits on our vehicle paints. The first is because it helps to break down hardened oil and water deposits which makes them easier to scrape away. Second, it acts as a protective coating which help preserve the fresh luster of the car coatings.
Does it dry?
As mentioned earlier, most people use rubbing alcohol to remove dried-on chemical treatments like clear coats or protective sealants from your car’s surface. Unfortunately, not all brands of rubbing alcohol are the same! Some types are actually mixed with chemicals that can potentially harm your vehicle!
It is important to make sure you do not use anything other than regular old white vinegar as an alcohol substitute. This will prevent damage to the underbody of the car due to acid attacks and corrosion.
Regular drinking glasses half filled with white vinegar also work well because only a small amount of liquid is needed to create the effect. Make sure to stir the solution properly so that no clumps form.
Your car may smell slightly like vinegar for several hours, but that is usually what people refer to as “clean” smells. Technically speaking, though, there is nothing natural about alcohol. So, some people say this odor is worth it because it reminds them that we should never trust nature.
Will it damage the paint?
Most all car paints are designed to be easily scratched or chemically removed. This is so when you get into a parking lot with lots of cars, your car can be touched up!
Mineral spirits are one such chemical that most people use to remove dried-on dust and grime from their vehicles. Unfortunately, some people add too much alcohol to their mineral spirits and then wash the chemicals off later.
When this happens, the alcohol remains in the vehicle’s surface layer and the engine will burn the oil more quickly. Also, if the excess alcohol washes away, it can also cause corrosion within the engine.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to using mineral spirits. If you are ever unsure whether or not it is okay to use mineral spirits, you can always test it on an inconspicuous spot first.
Will it damage the surface?
Recent reports suggest that using too much alcohol like ethanol (or methyl ethyl ketone, MKE) when cleaning car paint can actually do more harm than good. When you use large amounts of alcohol to clean painted surfaces, the alcohol can remove protective layers in the paint which then allow chemicals in the air or other products to react with the new coating.
If your brushes are not completely dried after each use, they may pick up moisture from the alcohol residue, potentially ruining the next batch of paint that brush is used for.
Another concern is whether the fumes from the alcohol have an effect on you as you work. Compounds such as benzene can be harmful if enough exposure is had.
Does it remove polish?
One of the most confusing chemicals for beginner paint professionals is mineral spirits. Some say you can use MS to strip away old protective coatings from your car’s surface, while others claim it will ruin or destroy your paint.
Many people believe that you can use MS even on clearcoat cars! This isn’t true though- using MS on clearcoat paints will likely cause damage to the coating.
However, there are some instances where MS can be used effectively on vehicle surfaces without too much risk. For instance, if you need to take off all of the existing protective coats (such as wax, sealant, etc.), then MS is an okay solution. Or perhaps you just want to cleanse the surface of dirt or grease.
Are there any health risks?
There have been some reports of people experiencing skin rashes or eye irritation when using alcohols as cleaners. However, these symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure and go away within that time frame. If your paint is still wet, then the alcohol in the liquid can be absorbed into the newly applied layer of paint, so make sure you let it dry properly!
Some individuals are allergic to certain chemicals in the alcohols used to strip car paints, so if you experience redness, swelling, or itching anywhere in the area where they were exposed, speak with your doctor about whether mineral spirits contain anything new for you.
As mentioned before, use only small amounts at a time for best results and to avoid possible negative reactions. Make sure to work in a well-vented area and wash immediately after finishing.