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How do I clean CDs with isopropyl alcohol?

Hello:

I just purchased some 91% isopropyl alcohol to remove some Optrix clouding (I didn't follow the instructions and wipe the CDs completely dry).

Anyways, my CDs seem to be much more clean than dish soap / water.

So, can others provide me with tips on using isopropyl alcohol for cleaning CDs:
1) Should I use undiluted 91% isopropyl alcohol or should I dilute it with distilled water. If so, what are the appropriate proportions?
2) How long do you leave the isopropyl alcohol on the CD for maximal effect?
3)Any potential to damage my CDs by using this cleaning protocol vs soap and water?

Do you think isopropyl alcohol is safe for CDRs?

Is there any potential for damage to my CDs or CDRs from repeated cleaning with 1) isopropyl alcohol or, 2) soap and water?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

mshan
mshan OP
60 posts
 
Hello:

Optrix sounds like a high purity isopropyl alcohol with added non-ionic optically active surfacants.

Anybody know the %isopropyl alcohol that Optrix contains?

Also, anybody experienced crazing / brittleness with long-term use of Optrix? Anybody noticed any long-term sonic degradation of CDs treated with Optrix a long time ago (e.g. using a magnifying glass, can anyone see the fine mesh of cracks - crazing - previously mentioned?)

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
my condolences to all "soap-a-holics" and "alco-holics". it's realy a time to produce some vpi or nitty gritty cd-cleaner with vacume action or something to add another category for "vpi- or nitty gritty- holics".

hint1. i simply wash my hands with hand-soap(prefere oil of olay but irish spring also will suffice) and it's sufficient. if my hands are too greasy after some mechanical job i use at first corn-oil and than hand-soap. i

hint2. jewel boxes are made so you don't have to touch and leave fingerprints on the play surface.
audiobugged
528 posts
 
I clean all my CD's with a vacuum cleaner using a crevice attachment while listening to Madonna's "Get into the Grove"! You'd be suprized at all the lost change, & missing socks that are at times found in the Compact Disk Groves during spring & fall cleaning sessions!
vectorman67
42 posts
 
** I don't use soap. It can clog the grooves

I believe what 7671 was referring to are the pits on the CDs, not the grooves. Now, I don't know if soap can necessarily clog these pits per se, but it can probably leave residue that could diminish the CDs reflectiveness, which is as bad as clogging them.
hockey
32 posts
 
Actually the "pits" are molded into a reflected layer which is then coated with a smooth protective layer. The CD surface is completely smooth - no pits to clog.
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