Sciencemadness Discussion Board

OTC methanol in Oz?

Hg Wells - 19-1-2011 at 19:11

Does anyone know where I can buy methanol OTC in Ozland?

I did a google search but the only people selling it seem to be doing it in 200 litre drums to rev heads.

I've never seen it in the big hardware store 'where low prices are just the beginning'.

I only want about 500 ml to a litre for chemical work.

Thanks in advance for any leads.

bquirky - 19-1-2011 at 19:49

Go to a hobby shop that sells model aeroplanes

Glow plug engines for models run on methanol and castor oil you can (or used to be able to) buy them seperatly so you can mix them to the optimum ratio for your engine

you can allso get nitromethane but try to look for a old long established hobby shop. they tend to have more Glowplug stuff. its starting to be on the way out.

bbartlog - 20-1-2011 at 05:44

What do you use for windshield washer fluid in Australia? In the USA the stuff is basically a mix of methanol and water. Easily separated by distillation, no azeotrope.

Bismuth - 21-1-2011 at 01:28

Go to a hobby store that specializes in RC. Many will happily sell you methanol and nitromethane in separate quantities. Although, I have received word from a friend that in SA it may be harder to obtain methanol by itself due to clandestine production. Perhaps it was a coincidence and he just struck a few dead ends from store owners who were under that belief. I was able to purchase 1L for $1.80AUD with the bottle.

cnidocyte - 23-1-2011 at 02:08

Don't know about Oz but methanol is the main constituent of nitro fuel for RC cars and some hobby shops sell the individual constituents so you can mix up your own nitro fuel.

starch - 23-1-2011 at 02:19

Quote: Originally posted by cnidocyte  
Don't know about Oz but methanol is the main constituent of nitro fuel for RC cars and some hobby shops sell the individual constituents so you can mix up your own nitro fuel.


its the same here in oz, hobby rc shop is your best bet, i have no trouble at all geting methanol in ozland

take care

grndpndr - 23-1-2011 at 02:51

Kart racing?

cnidocyte - 23-1-2011 at 13:34

Also methanols sold in some automotive shops as a fuel additive to increase the octane rating.

Gearhead_Shem_Tov - 28-1-2011 at 19:53

I got a litre of methanol from a speed shop north of Adelaide some months ago, no worries. I think I paid five or six dollars for it (it would have been less, but the container cost a couple bucks, too). They cater to auto and go-kart speed enthusiasts.

-Bobby