Isopropyl wet water alternative?

[davefoxx]

Ohhhhhhhhhh.  Concentrate.  I see.  When I use 70% IPA, I’ve been doing it full strength.  Can I dilute 70%?  Does that make it less likely to react with Dullcote?

DFF

[Chris333]

I use a fine mister so I just use water to wet the area. Then another spray bottle or eyedropper with matte medium. Right after spraying the glue I spray water through the pump to clean it.

[Steveruger45]

That’s more or less what I do for ballast and ground cover.   I use a 1 pint sized mister filled with water and about an eye-dropper full of 70% IPA (the alcohol Ed, not the beer 😀) to pre-wet the area, then I use a turkey baster (f’ing big eye dropper) to drizzle on a 1:3 mix of white glue and water. Then moist the area again with water with a few drops of Dawn.
I ballasted my Kato unitrack that way and it didn’t remove the paint. Im guessing the alcohol was just too dilute for those problems.

[peteski]

Ohhhhhhhhhh.  Concentrate.  I see.  When I use 70% IPA, I’ve been doing it full strength.  Can I dilute 70%?  Does that make it less likely to react with Dullcote?

DFF

I don't see why not.  If you mix equal parts (50/50) of 70% IPA and water, it will roughly result in 35% IPA.  That should have less of an effect on dullcote, but you should test it for yourself.

[Dave V]

You guys had me worried, especially with a new layout project on my near horizon.  One of the Walgreens up here in Boulder (I'm working in-person again...sigh) had 36 oz bottles in stock.  I'll likely thin it 50/50 with water at go-time though given the uncertainty surrounding supply.

[peteski]

You guys had me worried, especially with a new layout project on my near horizon.  One of the Walgreens up here in Boulder (I'm working in-person again...sigh) had 36 oz bottles in stock.  I'll likely thin it 50/50 with water at go-time though given the uncertainty surrounding supply.

It would still be worth trying to visit a hardware store to see if you can grab a gallon can of 99% IPA.  That should last you for quite some time.

[chicken45]

I just see @davefoxx Pipped me at the post (pun intended).  But yes he raises a very good point.  IPA and dullcoat or the Krylon acrylic clears will react badly with any hint of IPA.  Blooming into a horrible white crackle finish.

Sometimes, it's not so horrible, @Steveruger45 :

[ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Steveruger45]

Josh, that does look good.  I’m guessing that was a “Happy Accident “ as Bob Ross might have said.

[Dave V]

Three metal roofs using the Dullcote/alcohol haze reaction intentionally:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[wazzou]

Three metal roofs using the Dullcote/alcohol haze reaction intentionally:

Same.

[peteski]

Same.

Wow!
That is a gorgeous, and very realistic-looking model!

[EJN]

Best wetting agent I have ever used is Kodak Photo-flo, used in film (remember that?) processing to prevent water spots
on negatives. It is still available from Amazon or Adorama Camera. Like detergent, you only need a few drops.

[peteski]

Best wetting agent I have ever used is Kodak Photo-flo, used in film (remember that?) processing to prevent water spots
on negatives. It is still available from Amazon or Adorama Camera. Like detergent, you only need a few drops.

Yes, I remember it being mentioned on one of the '60s vintage Scenery books from Kalmbach.

[nuno81291]

Well I’m happy to report that some plain old water with a drop of dish soap did the trick. Works so well that I wonder why I started using isopropyl in the first place 

[nkalanaga]

dish soap is what I've always used.  Not only is it non-toxic, unless swallowed, it's also almost odor-free.  And most homes have some.