[R-390] Benchmark - R390A odd-ball cleaning and lubrication

[Gord Hayward]

>
>
>Light oils like kerosine, mineral spirits, etc.. are usually inert to the
>metal but may take time to soften and remove built up deposits. I have used
>"white gas" (Stoddard Solvent, Coleman fuel) as a cleaning solvent. It is
>not as volatile as gasoline (that has lots of light ends and additives) and
>a little more aggressive than kerosene. Usually I put the parts in a sealed
>container with the solvent and shake the container around.
>

White gas is hexane - really light end stuff.  Its a great solvent but 
is volatile and very flamable.  If you
use an ultrasonic cleaner, watch out for sparks.  I haven't seen one yet 
that's rated as explosion proof
so I will not use that solvent in a sonicator.  The can for Coleman fuel 
also says it has some corrosion
inhibitors - I have no idea what these are made of.  The bottom line - 
be careful when using solvents.
As I said to one of my grad students -  No Kabooms!

Cheers, Gord, VE3EOS

-- 

Gordon L. Hayward, Ph.D., P.Eng.,
Associate Professor, Biological Engineering,
School of Engineering, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1.