Pink Stuff Antifreeze

[Midnightsun]

I know, season is still far from being over but prepping early is never a bad thing. Especially in these times when some items may be difficult to get a hold of at the last minute.

Pink stuff, you know, plumbing/engine antifreeze we all winterize with. There are 2 types, alcohol based which is much cheaper used by many but will prematurely destroy your impellers, seals/rubber it sits on over time which includes plumbing/toilets or heads as the boating world calls them. Remember, when you winterize, everything sits in the product during the entire time until you flush at launch the following year!

The other type is based on Propylene Glycol which is not always easy to spot on the label. If there is a flammable label on the container you know it is alcohol based so steer clear of those. In Canada I have found Marine Mart to be the best place to pick this up when it comes to pricing. This time of year they are always discounted and since I use about 20 gallons I tend to buy now. I use the -50F/-45C non diluted which has never been an issue. $5.99 a gallon is pretty darn cheap for this stuff.

https://www.entrepotmarinemart.com/en/a ... 0-cam31757

[mjk1040]

I pay $ 2.58 a gallon at he local Wal-Marts for -50.

[Midnightsun]

Wow that is really cheap, are you sure that is the Propylene Glycol stuff?

[mjk1040]

Pretty sure, it says it is but I will double check, do you have Wal-Marts in Canada?

[Randazj]

I recommend the -100 west marine stuff which is not alcohol based for engines. Especially if you live in the cold like I do in Michigan. If any of it gets diluted your still in good shape. Plus it has anti-corrosion inhibitors. I use the cheaper pink stuff for plumbing and ac

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post Pretty sure, it says it is but I will double check, do you have Wal-Marts in Canada?

Yes we do however never saw the Propylene stuff there only the alcohol one but products differ from country to country.

[km1125]

Source of the post I recommend the -100 west marine stuff which is not alcohol based for engines. Especially if you live in the cold like I do in Michigan. If any of it gets diluted your still in good shape. Plus it has anti-corrosion inhibitors. I use the cheaper pink stuff for plumbing and ac

That 'inhibitors' thing isn't really true. That's the role that the Propylene Glycol plays in the mix. I've looked at many MSDS sheets from various manufacturers and have never seen anything but PG and water in those bottles.

Also, the one benefit to having the alcohol type is that it inhibits growth. If you let PG sit long enough you'll see mold growing in it. That won't really happen over the winter though, just when temps get warmer.

[Midnightsun]

one benefit to having the alcohol type is that it inhibits growth. If you let PG sit long enough you'll see mold growing in it.

That being the case, it may not be a bad idea to do water lines with the Alcohol based stuff and the engines with the Glycol stuff. Always looking to save a dollar or 2.

[Viper]

I wouldn't use it for water systems either or anything else for that mater such as AC units and toilets. Not compatible with some metals, it'll tell you that right on the jug if the brand discloses properly. The best stuff to use in engines will actually state that it's safe to do so.

BTW, never saw mould growth in product with no alcohol. Actually had about an inch sitting in the bottom of an open pail in the shop since last Fall and there's nothing in there except pink liquid and a couple of dead flies. It's generally considered non toxic but it's not completely harmless. If you want to confirm that, pour a little on you grass. In a day or two, you'll be wondering which neighbor's dog did their business there. Nothing will grow there for a while.

The -100 product is great but more expensive and overkill for our area IMO. If you drain systems properly, the -50 formulation is fine. I know some guys that use the -100 but they do so because they don't bother draining. Even with that spec I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.

[Midnightsun]

Will stick with the good stuff for everything then, thanks.