Message-ID: <002001c13e40$a458da00$cce3de9e@colwell>
From: "Steve & Claudette Colwell" <colwell@innercite.com>
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
References: <200109151312_MC3-DFD4-8989@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: MC vs MEK as a wipe
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 16:46:28 -0700
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I sold petrochemicals for several oil companies a long time ago.   I called
on a variety of manufacturing operations from fiberglass boat mfgs to
automobile assy plants and specialty chemical formulators who blended a
variety of solvents we sold them for applications such as degreasing,
cleaning wax out of molds, etc..

Methylene Chloride (M/C) is the Gold Standard for cleaning wax and oils,
non-flamable.  Downside--Toxic to breathe and is easily absorbed thru the
skin.  Take small parts outdoors, if practical, to clean them.  Put a couple
of box fans blowing in and out of your work area and or a shop vac vented to
the outside and let them run for a while.  A Hobbyair type fresh air
respirator system would be best.

Acetone is a good dewaxer, bad degreaser.   Downside--VERY Flamable,
probably worse than gasoline, not as toxic as M/C or MEK.

MEK, very good dewaxer, fair degreaser.  Downside--VERY Flamable and toxic.

Blended Cleaners--The objective can be less volitility to hold a wet surface
longer, less flamability, less toxicity, EPA compliance or the leading
reason, lower cost.

This is like so  many decisions we must make, it's a compromise.  I like
clean parts and I bought the gloves, force vent my shop, put all M/C towels
outside asap and just hold my breath while cleaning.

I have not heard of any delaminations due to contaminated parts, so maybe
its just a question of clean enough.  We cleaned with Acetone at the Legacy
workshop and I feel fine about the rather critical bonds we made.  I sure
would not want to spill some Acetone or MEK near a pilot light or an
unshielded electric motor tho...

Steve Colwell   Legacy 2K  Placerville,CA   (530) 621-3408

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