[GreenKeys] Cleaning stuff, etc..

[Edward Greeley]

Just a little "FYI" about Stoddard solvent. It is the same stuff that's 
sold at hardware stores, home improvement stores, paint stores, etc. 
where it's usually called "mineral spirits" or "paint thinner". While 
the stuff is not explosive like gasoline it definitely IS flammable. It 
burns similarly to kerosene or light diesel fuel. Suggest you take a 
look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_spirits. There is also a 
link on that page that leads to the Wiki article about Stoddard solvent 
which is a bit more detailed.

KC0NNC at aol.com wrote:
> A friend of mine works for safety Kleen, and I asked him one day if I could 
> purchase 5 or 10 gallons of the stuff they vend to their own rental machines.
>  
> at the time, he was a new hire, and did not wish to bend company protocol ... 
> and politely apologized, and was not able to help me out ... but he mentioned 
> a work around as the local petroleum product jobber I have an account with (I 
> purchase red farm and ranch diesel with no road tax included, it saves 75 
> cents per gallon at this jobber, they deliver 1000 gallons to my overhead tank)
>  
> He told me to ask for "Stoddard Solvent" they have a pump for this product, 
> and it runs about the same price as standard diesel.  The pitch seems to be 
> that this product is not volatile, and does not support combustion.  I have 
> purchased it and used it in a solvent tank with associated pump, etc., works OK, 
> and yes, it seems hygroscopic, as it drives the moisture out of your hands if 
> you do not use gloves, I can only assume that it is like WD-40, and drives into 
> your lower layers of skin as well.  Probably hard on your kidneys who knows.
>  
> I do know that the Tri-Chloretheylene, commonly called "Troche" and perhaps 
> used by the dry cleaners, is not trust worthy of your health.  the old Carbon 
> tetrachloride was a killer as well.
>  
> My preference is to remove the platen, motor, and rubber items completely, 
> and soak anything mechanical in Kerosene (#1 Diesel,) or # 2 diesel (standard hi 
> test clear diesel) over night or for a week.  allow the item to drip dry via 
> a grill or refrigerator rak placed upon the solvent container, and then 
> lightly blow dry, then allow the item to sit on rags up side down till completely 
> free of the diesel.
>  
> For those who don't know.  You can achieve over night healing of serious cuts 
> by soaking the affected hand or finger in diesel over night.  Or using a 
> compress.
>  
> I confirmed an old farmers tale, when one farmer mentioned that he might have 
> to go in for stitches if soaking his badly damaged hand in coal oil over 
> night did not fix the problem.
>  
> i thought this was BS, but one day I was working in #1 diesel, and cut my 
> hand on an unseen knife in the vat, and noticed that i did not feel the cut at 
> all. (in gasoline I would have probably started crying)  i showed the Mrs. the 
> cut, and she wanted me to go in for stitches, and i promised to do so the next 
> day if it got bad on me....
>  
> Well, the next day there was no more cut, it had disappeared...  so go figger.
>  
> I have heard good stories on Marvel Mystery oil, and automatic tranny fluid 
> (reputed to be # 10 mineral oil with some seal softeners in it)    clear 
> hydraulic oil is 10 weight.  but am hesitant to take others  advice unless they have 
> used it first hand.  and are still alive.
>  
> I did find out that propane and butane are solvents for grease, but you would 
> need a very tight container to use this stuff.  I am the victim and survivor 
> or a propane explosion.... Remind me to tell you that story sometime... 
> chilling... and humbling..
>  
> my fingers are tired, 
>  
> any more thoughts on what I have related are seriously welcome....
>  
>  
>  
> 
> 
> Harvey E. Smith
> 2020 Baculite Mesa Road
> Pueblo, CO., 81001-2456
> 719 406 9735
> 
> fka WA0BBG
> nka KC0NNC
> 
> HarveyEsmith at aol.com
> 
> KC0NNC at aol.com
> 
> 
> 73's