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Old 10-15-2018, 03:25 PM   #1
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Pink Stuff: all the same?

What do you think? Are all brands of pink stuff created equal? I noticed some brands cost almost half as much as others. What's your opinion on antifreeze quality and price?
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:36 PM   #2
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I would think that it is the same as long as it says marine/rv. But never tired another then the one brand. Maybe someone who has tried multiple brands will chime in. We usually pay around $2.99 a gallon.
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:46 PM   #3
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I have noticed that some is all Propylene Glycol, and some is a mixture of ethanol and Propylene Glycol.


I have 2 brands here: SuperTech from Wally World, it is:
Ethyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Water, DI Potassium Phosphate, Colorant, and Fragrance.


I also have some "OnLine" brand... it's ingredient list:
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dye, and Inhibitors.


Both state "-50°F Protection"



I guess they both do the same thing, the "OnLine" was about a dollar more per gallon, and as you can see it doesn't have the alcohol in it.
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:47 PM   #4
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NO, they are not all the same. you can buy and use what you are comfortable using as they all do the same thing with different ingredients. contrary to popular belief, RV antifreeze does freeze, but does not expand to the point of bursting pipes.

ETHANOL (alcohol) BASED - (have not seen this ever)

PROPYLENE/ETHANOL BLEND - (I see this at walmart a lot)

PROPYLENE GLYCOL - (this is what I prefer to use)

read the reviews of the one you want to use. there are certain brands that say good down to -50 or so, and people say they have issues when using it and the reviews are horrible.

Winterization and RV Antifreeze - Bob Scott RV
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:50 PM   #5
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The lower priced AF is made with Ethanol alcohol which contains water. Most common is a combination of Ethanol and Propylene glycol, found at any hardware store, Menards, Walmart, etc. The most expensive is strickly Propylene glycol, mainly found at rv dealers. I have used all of them and never had problems. Though the plain ethanol type does tend to dry out gaskets and seals unless completely submerged.


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Old 10-15-2018, 04:07 PM   #6
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I know a guy that uses cheap vodka.

Whatever the stuff is that's cheap, with a very low freezing point, that's edible.
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:15 PM   #7
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I know a guy that uses cheap vodka.

Whatever the stuff is that's cheap, with a very low freezing point, that's edible.
does he throw a party when unwinterizing?
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:18 PM   #8
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i don't think even the cheapest vodka is as cheap as RV anti-freeze! Don't be an alcohol abuser!
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
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does he throw a party when unwinterizing?
Yes.
And before.
And during.
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Old 10-15-2018, 04:34 PM   #10
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i don't think even the cheapest vodka is as cheap as RV anti-freeze! Don't be an alcohol abuser!
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Old 10-15-2018, 07:48 PM   #11
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Wally World here has 2 brands, SuperTech (which has alcohol) and Sta-Bil (which does not have alcohol, good to -75). I used the SuperTech last year because I winterized for only 1 month, then headed south. I had no problems with it. Just keep it out of the water heater. This year I will use the one without alcohol.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:47 PM   #12
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Ah - I see now. Great advice here, as always. Thanks!
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Old 10-16-2018, 02:14 PM   #13
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Propylene Glycol is environmental friendly. It is used to make lipstick and keeps dog treats moist also in human foods. I don't buy anything with it in food, but safe for RV.



Ethelene Glycol is deadly. Good for radiators only. Is has a sweet taste and animals like it. Don't use it.



We sell both in the welding industry most is packaged in a 75% glycol 25% water.
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Old 10-16-2018, 02:35 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wannabeowner View Post
What do you think? Are all brands of pink stuff created equal? I noticed some brands cost almost half as much as others. What's your opinion on antifreeze quality and price?
The only difference I've ever noticed is that some take longer to clear the taste in the spring.

Cheers

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Old 10-16-2018, 02:37 PM   #15
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dranch

Some are good to a lower temperature than others.
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Old 10-16-2018, 02:39 PM   #16
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Isn't the alcohol in some the mixes the same stuff that's in windshield washer fluid to keep it from freezing? Sounds like it will definitely keep bacteria out of system too!
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Old 10-16-2018, 03:03 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jandacamping View Post
Propylene Glycol is environmental friendly. It is used to make lipstick and keeps dog treats moist also in human foods. I don't buy anything with it in food, but safe for RV.



Ethelene Glycol is deadly. Good for radiators only. Is has a sweet taste and animals like it. Don't use it.



We sell both in the welding industry most is packaged in a 75% glycol 25% water.
Propylene Glycol is major ingredient in many brands of vanilla extract, along with ethanol made from sugar cane.
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Old 10-16-2018, 03:12 PM   #18
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I have used the Marine water system antifreeze good to -100 deg. . A bit more expensive but Id rather be safe than sorry. They also have some that's good for -60deg.
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Old 10-16-2018, 04:03 PM   #19
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I would not use anything with alcohol.

I use straight Polypropylene Glycol RV and Marine anti-freeze. Typically $2.99 per gallon at Menards on sale.
I would not use anything with alcohol due to the unknown effect of the alcohol on seals, water pump diaphragms, plastic fittings, o-rings, etc. Same reason ethanol/gasoline mix is limited for use in older vehicles.
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Old 10-16-2018, 04:07 PM   #20
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I was once served Wal-Mart scotch and it tasted like I image anti-freeze would taste and it couldn't have cost as much!
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