Petrol instead of degreaser
#27
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But gasoline was so much fun: pour some down inside a long single piece exhaust pipe (such as from an old Mini), then light with a match and listen as the flame front travelled down the pipe and then came right back.
Later I became an R&D engineer specialising in fuels and oils in suspension in gases moving through complex spaces. It was so much fun.
But using it today as a cleaner in the workplace?
Um... no...
Later I became an R&D engineer specialising in fuels and oils in suspension in gases moving through complex spaces. It was so much fun.
But using it today as a cleaner in the workplace?
Um... no...
#28
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Gasoline is "easily" flammable. Diesel fuel is much better and safer, and can accomplish the same thing.
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Your shop manager should know better. You may want to review other safety procedures at the shop--first aid kit clearly marked, fire extinguishers at each exit and clearly mounted and marked, safe oily rag storage, safe egress routes, use of PPE, etc.
And why is petrol available there anyway? Is it stored safely?
And why is petrol available there anyway? Is it stored safely?
To everyone else here: Thank you for your answers, in conclusion of what I have read from all of you is that petrol/gasoline can be used as a degreaser BUT is still considered very dangerous and unhealthy so it should not be used.
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I used to use Wonder bread but jelly donuts are more relatable. Admit it, you want one now
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I calculated years ago that gasoline's calories are cheaper than food calories. About ten years ago, when gas prices rose to over $4/gal, a motorist pulled up beside me at a light and said, "You must be saving a lot on gas!" I shook my head and replied, "You should see my grocery bills."
#32
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I was going to recount tales of the burn unit at the hospital where I work but then y'all started talking about donuts and now my brain has wandered off and got lost...
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I use it to clean chains personally, put the chain in a sealed container, let it soak, agitate the dirt with a brush and now you have a clean chain. Most effective metal cleaners are flammable from my experience. Keeping a open container of it inside might not be a good idea yeah.
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#35
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I use it to clean chains personally, put the chain in a sealed container, let it soak, agitate the dirt with a brush and now you have a clean chain. Most effective metal cleaners are flammable from my experience. Keeping a open container of it inside might not be a good idea yeah.
I've used kerosene in the same fashion and it works pretty darn well. Plus it's easy to filter the kerosene and reuse it. A gallon of kerosene is a couple bucks and it will last for many years of enthusiastic chain cleaning.
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I use it to clean chains personally, put the chain in a sealed container, let it soak, agitate the dirt with a brush and now you have a clean chain. Most effective metal cleaners are flammable from my experience. Keeping a open container of it inside might not be a good idea yeah.
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Yes but some are more flammable than others. Gasoline has a flash point of -40°F. Mineral spirits, on the other hand, has a flash point of from 70°F to 130°F, depending on formulation. Odorless mineral spirits have a flashpoint of around 100°F. It will burn but it takes a lot more to get it to burn. Mineral spirits works just as well without the whole “burning down the house” thing.
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#38
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#39
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A decade or three ago, using gas to degrease wouldn't have raised an eyebrow. That is what we were taught as kids to use to clean our chains. Wearing gloves wasn't even something we had heard of. As you can see, attitudes have changed. I see it as sort of a desperation move now.
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A decade or three ago, using gas to degrease wouldn't have raised an eyebrow. That is what we were taught as kids to use to clean our chains. Wearing gloves wasn't even something we had heard of. As you can see, attitudes have changed. I see it as sort of a desperation move now.
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I was stationed near Fairbanks AK in 1969 and remember as a GI using TCE to clean my Hodaka Super Rat chain and dumping the goop out back of the shop. Then I got stationed in Tucson, AZ and learned about the massive issue with TCE dumped at Davis Monthan AFB polluting the ground water. Today they are still fighting PFAS concentrations and shutting down Tucson water wells. We educate the public slowly.
#42
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+1 Petrol/gasoline, bad, very bad for cleaning purposes.
If you must use a solvent, as has been stated before, kerosene, mineral spirits or even the parts washer "paint cans" sold at auto parts stores are much better and safer. I switched to Orange degreaser for my own use now, although once in a while I still break out the auto parts washer can.
O'Reilly auto parts sells them. Berryman Chem-Dip 96 ounce carb parts cleaner. Comes with a strainer/parts lifter. Gets it ALL off.
--
If you must use a solvent, as has been stated before, kerosene, mineral spirits or even the parts washer "paint cans" sold at auto parts stores are much better and safer. I switched to Orange degreaser for my own use now, although once in a while I still break out the auto parts washer can.
O'Reilly auto parts sells them. Berryman Chem-Dip 96 ounce carb parts cleaner. Comes with a strainer/parts lifter. Gets it ALL off.
--
Last edited by drlogik; 03-09-21 at 11:48 AM.
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Just for general info, read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for the Berryman Carb cleaner in the gallon can.
Nastier than gas I think.
As they say, don't get any on ya!
https://contentinfo.autozone.com/zne...s/en/US/139313
Pete
Nastier than gas I think.
As they say, don't get any on ya!
https://contentinfo.autozone.com/zne...s/en/US/139313
Pete
#44
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As they say, don't get any on ya!
#45
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I grew up in relative scarcity, and had to get by with what's available (getting fuel was like in Mad-Max movies ).
If I had a choice (like I do now): diesel, or mineral spirits are a cheap and very effective alternative.
But I must say that I've used petrol for years. With caution and common sense - I was fine, even as a kid.
I'd even argue it's better at cleaning. Though, again, as many others have said: it would not be my first choice. It is highly flammable and more toxic, hence requires more caution, concentration and common sense.
Love the smell, though!
If I had a choice (like I do now): diesel, or mineral spirits are a cheap and very effective alternative.
But I must say that I've used petrol for years. With caution and common sense - I was fine, even as a kid.
I'd even argue it's better at cleaning. Though, again, as many others have said: it would not be my first choice. It is highly flammable and more toxic, hence requires more caution, concentration and common sense.
Love the smell, though!
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#46
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Lots of Mechanic shops used to use it and there's probably some that still do. In really old timey Watchmaker books they call for using gasoline though it was much more pure back then. And the reason why it is mentioned in those books is that gasoline contains Benzene. In fact Watchmakers used to use pure benzene because it's colorless, smells sweet, and evaporates cleanly off parts. But Benzene is a huge source for causing cancer! It's even in cigarette smoke!
But benzene finds it self in many things that you have probably used without realizing like Liquid Wrench, Elmers Glue, Roundup, WD-40. etc. But just because your cleaner is "Organic" doesn't mean it's safe. Always use PPE and a well ventilated area.
But benzene finds it self in many things that you have probably used without realizing like Liquid Wrench, Elmers Glue, Roundup, WD-40. etc. But just because your cleaner is "Organic" doesn't mean it's safe. Always use PPE and a well ventilated area.
Benzene is a serious occupational carcinogen and is particularly associated with aplastic anaemia (which typically ends in leukaemia.) Bad stuff. Eliminating benzene from ordinary consumer products that could come in contact with your skin or that could be inhaled would seem like a good idea. I don't know if Liquid Wrench formulation sold in Canada contains benzene -- I've never used it. My understanding is that there are benzene exposure lawsuits related to Liquid Wrench.
Benzene is used as a starting material for many many industrial compounds, and drugs. Including TNT. I wonder how many early organic chemists died of benzene poisoning, probably a lot. Many molecules in our bodies contain benzene rings synthesized from other simpler molecules.
Note that benzine (spelt with an i) is a term used in parts of Europe for gasoline or petrol.
Glyphosate (RoundUp) does not contain benzene. An ambulance-chasing law firm has a website BenzeneLawsuits.com. The firm is litigating glyphosate lawsuits as well, and this may have led to confusion.
Elmer's white glue for wood and paper does not contain benzene or any other poisonous substances. Children use it.. Many cements (like for making styrene plastic models) contain toluene, much loved in the past by adolescent glue-sniffers. Toluene is made from benzene but it is a different chemical. It has its own toxicity, the major one being liver injury and asphyxia when squirted into a plastic sandwich bag for deep inhalation.
WD-40 also does not contain benzene. It is labelled as poisonous on swallowing (due to petroleum distillates) but no warnings about skin contact or carcinogenicity are included on Canadian cans.
Bottom line. Yes, certainly, read labels. If you do find one that really does contain benzene, leave it on the shelf. But benzene is not found in consumer products that we use every day without thinking about it. (Except maybe Liquid Wrench.)
I never use organic solvents for cleaning my own bikes, mostly because I don't want to bother with ventilation and PPEs and the disposal issues. If you have to clean other people's bikes, that's different. A rag and elbow grease, sometimes with soapy water almost always suffice for me. The bits of steel dust and oil that build up on your derailer pulleys can be removed, if they accumulate enough that you think they are doing harm, with a small screwdriver in less time and with less mess than spraying or soaking with solvent. If you need solvents to clean anything, even a chain, you are using too much lube.
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One of my early utterances as a small child, faithfully recorded in my mother's cookbook, was announcing to her that "Grampa uses Esso Escra to get the blossom [balsam, local term for pitch from pine trees] off his hands." Yikes.
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Have to fact-check this.
Benzene is a serious occupational carcinogen and is particularly associated with aplastic anaemia (which typically ends in leukaemia.) Bad stuff. Eliminating benzene from ordinary consumer products that could come in contact with your skin or that could be inhaled would seem like a good idea. I don't know if Liquid Wrench formulation sold in Canada contains benzene -- I've never used it. My understanding is that there are benzene exposure lawsuits related to Liquid Wrench.
Benzene is used as a starting material for many many industrial compounds, and drugs. Including TNT. I wonder how many early organic chemists died of benzene poisoning, probably a lot. Many molecules in our bodies contain benzene rings synthesized from other simpler molecules.
Note that benzine (spelt with an i) is a term used in parts of Europe for gasoline or petrol.
Glyphosate (RoundUp) does not contain benzene. An ambulance-chasing law firm has a website BenzeneLawsuits.com. The firm is litigating glyphosate lawsuits as well, and this may have led to confusion.
Elmer's white glue for wood and paper does not contain benzene or any other poisonous substances. Children use it.. Many cements (like for making styrene plastic models) contain toluene, much loved in the past by adolescent glue-sniffers. Toluene is made from benzene but it is a different chemical. It has its own toxicity, the major one being liver injury and asphyxia when squirted into a plastic sandwich bag for deep inhalation.
WD-40 also does not contain benzene. It is labelled as poisonous on swallowing (due to petroleum distillates) but no warnings about skin contact or carcinogenicity are included on Canadian cans.
Bottom line. Yes, certainly, read labels. If you do find one that really does contain benzene, leave it on the shelf. But benzene is not found in consumer products that we use every day without thinking about it. (Except maybe Liquid Wrench.)
I never use organic solvents for cleaning my own bikes, mostly because I don't want to bother with ventilation and PPEs and the disposal issues. If you have to clean other people's bikes, that's different. A rag and elbow grease, sometimes with soapy water almost always suffice for me. The bits of steel dust and oil that build up on your derailer pulleys can be removed, if they accumulate enough that you think they are doing harm, with a small screwdriver in less time and with less mess than spraying or soaking with solvent. If you need solvents to clean anything, even a chain, you are using too much lube.
Benzene is a serious occupational carcinogen and is particularly associated with aplastic anaemia (which typically ends in leukaemia.) Bad stuff. Eliminating benzene from ordinary consumer products that could come in contact with your skin or that could be inhaled would seem like a good idea. I don't know if Liquid Wrench formulation sold in Canada contains benzene -- I've never used it. My understanding is that there are benzene exposure lawsuits related to Liquid Wrench.
Benzene is used as a starting material for many many industrial compounds, and drugs. Including TNT. I wonder how many early organic chemists died of benzene poisoning, probably a lot. Many molecules in our bodies contain benzene rings synthesized from other simpler molecules.
Note that benzine (spelt with an i) is a term used in parts of Europe for gasoline or petrol.
Glyphosate (RoundUp) does not contain benzene. An ambulance-chasing law firm has a website BenzeneLawsuits.com. The firm is litigating glyphosate lawsuits as well, and this may have led to confusion.
Elmer's white glue for wood and paper does not contain benzene or any other poisonous substances. Children use it.. Many cements (like for making styrene plastic models) contain toluene, much loved in the past by adolescent glue-sniffers. Toluene is made from benzene but it is a different chemical. It has its own toxicity, the major one being liver injury and asphyxia when squirted into a plastic sandwich bag for deep inhalation.
WD-40 also does not contain benzene. It is labelled as poisonous on swallowing (due to petroleum distillates) but no warnings about skin contact or carcinogenicity are included on Canadian cans.
Bottom line. Yes, certainly, read labels. If you do find one that really does contain benzene, leave it on the shelf. But benzene is not found in consumer products that we use every day without thinking about it. (Except maybe Liquid Wrench.)
I never use organic solvents for cleaning my own bikes, mostly because I don't want to bother with ventilation and PPEs and the disposal issues. If you have to clean other people's bikes, that's different. A rag and elbow grease, sometimes with soapy water almost always suffice for me. The bits of steel dust and oil that build up on your derailer pulleys can be removed, if they accumulate enough that you think they are doing harm, with a small screwdriver in less time and with less mess than spraying or soaking with solvent. If you need solvents to clean anything, even a chain, you are using too much lube.
"WD-40 also does not contain benzene. It is labelled as poisonous on swallowing (due to petroleum distillates) but no warnings about skin contact or carcinogenicity are included on Canadian cans."
This is a lawsuit site Benzene – Toxicology Litigation Support – Consultox but it does mention WD-40. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 the Australian version has benzene
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"WD-40 also does not contain benzene. It is labelled as poisonous on swallowing (due to petroleum distillates) but no warnings about skin contact or carcinogenicity are included on Canadian cans."
This is a lawsuit site Benzene – Toxicology Litigation Support – Consultox but it does mention WD-40. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 the Australian version has benzene
This is a lawsuit site Benzene – Toxicology Litigation Support – Consultox but it does mention WD-40. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 the Australian version has benzene
Australian WD-40 as described in that Wikipedia entry contains tri-methyl benzene. That is not benzene, any more than toluene (“methyl benzene”), TNT, or cholesterol are benzene.