Isopropyl alcohol versus metho for cleaning

[Tortoise]

Apologies if I've missed it in my searches, but I often wonder whether the difference matters, or if instructions come from places like the US where (I gather) metho is not common. I need to add dots/strips to my mat and SILnylon tent floor to reduce slippage. Every few years I buy some (expensive) isopropyl alcohol, use a bit, and forget where I put it for future use. Does anybody know for sure if metho will do the job just as well? Thanks.

[Warin]

Isopropol is best - stipulated for cleaning various expensive electronic equipment internals in their maintenance manuals.

I do prefer metho for cleaning where moisture (water) is involved as it tends to help get rid of the water. That and it is cheaper. I'd think it is fine for cleaning things before gluing. The glue would have some solvent ... I'd tend to use that as it would remove anything the glue would absorb and therefore be a possible contaminate for the glue. Another name for meths is 'denatured alcohol' ...

[Tortoise]

Thanks for your thoughts, Warin. Is there any concern about using metho on silnylon and whatever the mat is made of? I don't imagine it would damage anything, but I confess ignorance about these things.

I'm thinking that for my purpose (just cleaning to make the silicon stick to the surface better), I wouldn't actually need the best cleaner. But I do want it to do the job.

[bernieq]

I think you go to a lot more effort than me!

I just wipe the floor clean with a damp cloth, let it dry thoroughly, then paint silicon elastomer (aka silastic & the like) mixed with turpentine. The mix ratio isn't critical - enough turps to make the silastic thin enough to paint (same as I use for seam-sealing). I paint a few strips across the floor & let it dry completely. If the mix is quite thick, the finished result has a tendency to collect grit so thinner is better.

[Tortoise]

Thanks Bernie. I think I've tended to make it too thin - easy to apply, but not so effective.