Susan and John Roper wrote:
>
> Doug, I have used varsol for years with good result. What is Agitene?
> John
--
Hi John,
Agitene is made by Gray-Mills who also make "high-end," commercial-grade
parts washers ($500-$6,000). It is described in the MSC catalog and
also on Grainger's web site. It has very low volatility, almost no
odor, lasts a very long time, is not cancer causing, higher flash point,
been through the EPA type testing and shows only to "result in dry skin
on prolonged contact," etc.
It comes in two grades (1) Super Agitene (around $10 a gallon a five
gallon container or a little less if you buy a 30 gallon container) and
(2) Regular Agitene (around $7 a gallon for a five gallon jug)--these
are not concentrates).
The "Super" Agitene is described as:
Superior quality, rapidly disolves grease, oil, varnish and requires no
water rinse. Contains "Hand-Ease" to help reduce chance of irratation
and chapping. Leaves a non-greasy lanlolin coating to help retard
rusting. 110 degree flash point.
The "Regular" Agitene is described as:
Similar to above, but will not attack varnish so it may be used on
electrical motors and does not contain "Hand-Ease," so it will not leave
a rust preventing coating on the parts.
I am inclined to bite the bullet and go with Super Agitene. It is very
pricey, but if it won't evaporate, won't cause lung/kidney/liver failure
down the road, works well, doesn't stink, at the rate I will use it, a
single filling will last me years, etc., it might be worth the price.
The only concern I have with it is that most of the "real commercial"
parts washers have serious filtering systems, and I suppose they use
these filtering systems to help preserve the life of these expensive
solvents. I would hate to load up and "kill" $100 worth of solvent on a
couple nasty cylinder heads. I probably am worrying unnecessarily, but
I hate making mistakes when it comes to expensive tools or their
infrastructure.
thanks again for all the help this list has provided me,
doug
|