[net.bicycle] Diesel fuel for parts cleaning

anne@bmcg.UUCP (07/17/84)

Diesel fuel makes a good parts cleaner that has the good qualities
of kerosene, but is sometimes more readily available.  It is a
solvent of roughly the same quality, yet has a high flashpoint like
kerosene.

My sister worked as a nurse for a year in the burn unit of a local
hospital.  A high percentage of their cases were people who had been
cleaning parts in gasoline.  You can use gasoline with no problems
for years, but one day you drop a tool and it sets off a spark, or
your friend walks over and drops a cigarette on some spilled gas.
Don't do it.

Anne H. Anderson
ucbvax!sdcsvax!bmcg!anne
decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bmcg!anne
ihnp4!sdcrdcf!bmcg!anne

wmartin@brl-tgr.UUCP (07/19/84)

I've read recommendations for gun cleaning using diesel fuel which
should be applicable to bike parts, car parts, whatever -- steal
a Tupperware (or equivalent) container of a suitable size, with a
tight-fitting lid, from your kitchen stock, and keep it half-full of
diesel fuel. When you have a pistol to clean, remove any wood grips,
and dump it in the container, put on the lid, and shake vigorously.
Supposed to work wonders. Filter or strain the diesel fuel now and
then, change it when it gets really grungy. (I guess the old gorp will
kill weeds in the sidewalk cracks pretty well...)

Will

ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (07/20/84)

We use the old diesel fuel for starting fires.

-Ron

ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (08/01/84)

As a matter of fact, Diesel fuel is what I use.  Frequently it contains
a detergent additive which I suppose helps even more.

-Ron