what solvent cleaner to use?

Wouldn't touch trichloroethane with a barge pole, where I did my apprenticeship we had a contractor suffocate in an empty 6 x 6 foot open tank, he wasnt wearing breathing apparatus, in fact I didnt think it was still available.

Petrol or white spirit is what I use.

Martin P

Back in the 70s the company that I was working for used carbon tetrachloride for most things but this was eventually replaced with something called Inhibisol. I've always assumed that this was a trade name but what it actually was I've no idea, apart from being an excellent cleaner/degreaser. Has anyone here come across this at all?

Phil

Carbon Tetrachloride was done away with on the grounds that it had the nasty side effect of killing people who were exposed to it for too long. IIRC it acted like a nerve agent.

Inhibisol (TF90) was formulated to replace Trichloroethane, not sure what chemical is.

Dave W

I now get my large 600 ml tins of Holts aerosol brake cleaner from Screwfix for £3.49, Halfords on the other hand want £5.49 for 500 ml tins.

Slightly off topic, but to those using brake cleaner, be careful if welding after cleaning. There is an article online somewhere by a chap that suffered serious health issues. He used brake cleaner to degrease a part then TIG welded it.

Could be the Argon had something to do with it, i cant remember, however Phosgene gas was produced, which is what did the damage.

Edited to include the article : http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html

Edited By Alan Waddington 2 on 07/01/2019 20:47:58

Its good to warn people if something is a problem, but the Brake Cleaner + TIG link does not sound right.

The Brake Cleaner we can get from motor factors in 5l containers is a mix of methyl acetate, hydrocarbons like petroleum spirit and around 50% acetone. It is formulated to be moderately 'safe' in use and contains no chlorinated solvents.

To make phosgene COCl2 you need a chlorinated solvent and heat. That link to the USA page shows an aerosol can of tetrachloroethylene, which is as bad for the environment as all other chlorinated solvents. I guess it is labelled as "for cleaning your brakes"?

I use conventional Brake Cleaner a lot.

Edited By norm norton on 07/01/2019 20:58:25

It is quite an old article 2009, and American, so maybe things have changed or they use different ingredients in their brake cleaner to over here.

He shows the aerosol label in the article and it contains Tetrochloroethylene.

I suppose the message is, whatever you use, read and the label.

Inhibisol TF90 contains the following, according to the manufacturer's MSDS sheet:

I would regard that as a reasonable set of solvents to use.

The Holts brake cleaner says on the tin that it does not contain chlorinated solvent, acetone or silicon.

This stuff works nicely, just remove all the plastic parts first **LINK** and wear disposable gloves.

- Danny M -

Don't forget we have American forum members to whom the warning may still be relevant.

Neil

I use Hyloclean Here I use it for cleaning cutting oils from model fittings and parts I have made, and general degreasing but like all solvents it does have hazards but with care and also the small exposure time and intermitting use with the fluid connected with my hobby I have had no problems.

Edited By MichaelR on 08/01/2019 10:03:22

Not to mention Brits with workshops full of stuff collected over the years! I have a bottle of Carbon Tetrachloride bought when I was still at school.

Hoarding industrial heritage is an important part of the hobby. Some buy Drummond Lathes, I collect half empty tins of paint. Most of them are at least 30 years old. When they're fully matured I shall sell them on ebay...

Dave