[Shop-talk] Parts solvent

[Bob Spidell]

re: "Aren't mineral spirits flammable?" 


Yes, but so is wood, and you've probably lived inside a wood-framed house or apartment (actually, I'm surprised some nanny-state do-gooder hasn't gone off about this). 

When I recommended MS for a parts cleaner, I assumed readers of this list would understand and be comfortable with reasonable precautions (aka 'common sense') when using any petrochemical. 

If you decide to throw caution to the wind and use the best all-around solvent in your cleaner, remember to: 

1) place the parts cleaner a reasonable distance from any source of ignition (e.g. gas-fired water heater, space heater, air compressor, living room fireplace, etc.) 

2) use in a reasonably well-ventilated area (open the doors/windows in your garage). A/C not required and is arguably more dangerous anyway due to possible sparking from electric motor brushes and recirculation of vapors. 

3) do not smoke while cleaning your parts 

4) do not weld over your parts cleaner 

5) close the lid on the parts cleaner when you're done cleaning parts (there's a reason they have lids; one of several reasons parts cleaners are superior to buckets) 


If you use a water-based compound like Simple Green the used liquid should be treated like a hazardous material; i.e. no dumping down the drain or on the ground--take to approved HazMat recovery facility only--whereas MS can be reused almost indefinitely , like another lister pointed out. 


Bob 

-------------------------------- 
Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA 

----- Original Message -----


Aren't mineral spirits flammable? I know they are said to be less flammable than turpentine, but do they pose a fire risk in a parts washer in a sunny, hot garage with no a/c? Am I being too cautious? 


Tom 


Just don't be lured by the less-expensive "odorless / non-flammable" mineral 
spirits. It's mineral spirits emulsified in water, and just not very 
effective. And though it's a little cheaper, the proportion of mineral 
spirits is reasonably small - you're buying more water than solvent for 
maybe a buck less per gallon. It's a real disappointment. 

Karl 


I use mineral spirits. Five gallons should be sufficient (I think the '40 
gallons' refers to the entire volume of the 
cleaner--there should be a tray inside at about the 5/10-gal level). 

Good solvent, not terribly volatile or toxic. Used to be cheap, but not any 
more. 

Bob