Is FUEL Denatured Alcohol same as Benzine "Galosha" ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 04:51:12 pm
content: The latter one is really good for cleaning PCB's. You get your tooth brush wet, and you clean PCB, removes all corrosion and flux in seconds. It's often preferred to flux off, because no slushes from the spray. Thing is I can't find it here. The only thing I found is called FUEL denatured alcohol.Chemical formula of Benzine is C2 80/180Flash point -17CAutoignition 270CHere is its wikipedia article, languages available are French and Doutchhttps://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B0_(%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C)

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 05:32:05 pm
content: Benzene, spelled correctly, is a hydrocarbon without oxygen in the compound.Alcohols contain oxygen, as well.“Denatured alcohol” is normally ethanol (C2H5OH) or “grain alcohol”, with toxic alcohols (e.g. methanol) added so it cannot be consumed as a beverage, and therefore not subject to liquor tax.

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 05:50:46 pm
content: No, alcohol is a very different substance. The Galosha is a petroleum product.I think lighter (as in e.g. Zippo) fluids will be much closer to what you need. They are, if I understand correctly, made from light oil distillation (rectification) fractions, which is pretty much what Galosha is.For example, the Galosha that I use is this stuff sold under a local brand:https://waklerhandel.com/rompetrolse75115

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 06:01:43 pm
content: Quote from: u666sa on March 14, 2025, 04:51:12 pmDenatured alcohol is quite certainly not the same as "benzine".Denatured alcohol is ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, with some things added to make it undrinkable. It is safe as a cleaner, is not the most powerful of solvents, but is banned in California.Benzene, as a chemical name, has formula C6H6, and is a carcinogenic solvent that has been banned for a long time. You likely cannot buy it off the shelf."Benzine" as a solvent, is likely gasoline, or something similar, but in a pure form to make it less toxic. It is a mixture of light hydrocarbons. An equivalent item you could purchase in a US hardware store would be the product "Goof Off". Available in small or large cans, or spray bottles. "Goo Gone" is a similar product.Another source of gasoline would be camp stove fuel. It is not technically sold for use as a solvent, but it is basically a hydrocarbon mixture like gasoline or kerosene and will dissolve grease. I don't know how it works on flux or if it is safe for electronic components.The trouble with most random solvents is they can easily damage plastics (including electronic components). So it is much better to purchase a dedicated PCB cleaner.

author: jnk0le
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 06:52:53 pm
content: it's not benzene or anything like that."BEH3NH" translates to "benzyna" in PL and that is the gasoline you tank the cars.Equivalent of that "galosha" in PL is called "benzyna ekstrakcyjna" with the same designated purpose as printed on that bottle. Smells closer to the gasoline than alcohols.https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eter_naftowy(seems like lighter fractions than normal gasoline)

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 07:14:27 pm
content: Denatured alcohol for fuel in the USA is mostly methanol plus other stuff, including ethanol. The allowed composition for denatured alcohol varies by country and in the US by end use. Moreover, in the US denatured alcohol or "fuel" is not the same, for example, as denatured alcohol for thinning coatings, such as shellac. The MSDS/SDS must be checked for any particular product to find out (maybe) what's in it.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 07:18:06 pm
content: Apparently, "Galosha" is a trademark for a naphtha distillate hydrocarbon.The common noun, in English, translates to "galoshes" (rubber footwear).

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 07:25:20 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on March 14, 2025, 07:14:27 pmDecades ago, in grad school, the Physical Sciences stockroom had "USP absolute alcohol", commercially pure ethanol, with a "warehouse" tax stamp, due to our status as a government contractor.It was a wonderful solvent for cleaning vacuum equipment, since it dried without leaving a residue.After graduation and moving to the private sector, I was disappointed that I could not buy this product (even with paying liquor tax) from scientific chemical suppliers: the slightly denatured ethanol available did leave a residue.There were horror stories about grad students (not so bright) who re-used the distinctive pint bottles for other nastier chemicals, while other grad students (even stupider) would use the absolute alcohol at student parties--what could go wrong?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 07:47:42 pm
content: Things like Mineral spirits, Painter's Solvent, Brush Cleaner are quite similar to "Galosha". Denaturated alcohol (ethanol, methanol, some bitter shit additive) is completely different.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 08:26:55 pm
content: Yes, read the label on the can at the hardware store."Solvent" and "cleaner" are very generic nouns.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 08:35:23 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on March 14, 2025, 07:14:27 pmI would differ on that. While I agree a wide range of compositions is permitted by regulations and at the discretion of the vendor, denatured alcohol should be predominantly ethanol with other things added. The additives could include methanol, other oxygenates, gasoline or bitter substances. But since methanol is rather toxic, a product that contained mostly methanol would be a public safety hazard. I doubt it would be sold.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 08:42:13 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on March 14, 2025, 07:25:20 pmYou can indeed obtain pure anhydrous ethanol last time I researched it, since it is used for extractions, perfumes, tinctures and other applications where it must be food grade and safe for human contact. However, it does come at a price. A search for culinary solvent will find it.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 08:45:34 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on March 14, 2025, 08:35:23 pmYou are wrong. Check the SDS attached for Kleen Strip denatured ethanol fuel. Is up to 50% "predominantly?"BTW: It is crappy for removing flux and dissolving shellac.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 09:15:31 pm
content: Denatured alcohol (i.e., methanol, mostly): excellent for cleaning almost anything, including most plastics, which it won't melt or dissolve. Evaporates very quickly."Benzene"/"benzine", etc.: similar to what we put in our cars here in N. America ("gasoline"). Much more problematic for cleaning any kind of plastic, pretty good for cleaning metals, but leaves an oily residue.For cleaning metal, I prefer to use some form ofnaphtha, like what we in the US call "lighter fluid". Cheapest form is "charcoal lighter", used to start barbecue fires (god, I hate when people use it for that! stinks!). It's a light petroleum fraction that evaporates quickly and leaves very little residue. I used to use it when I was rebuilding old cameras to clean shutter parts.For more aggressive cleaning there's acetone, but you definitely don't want to use that around any kind of plastic. It's much less bad for your health, BTW, than other petroleum distillates.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 09:16:38 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on March 14, 2025, 09:14:52 pmColeman fuel == "white gas".

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 10:11:33 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on March 14, 2025, 08:45:34 pmWell, interesting. But note that I said "should be". That stuff isn't what it should be, in my opinion. Also note that is sold as fuel, not as a solvent. As a fuel, it can contain almost anything that is combustible, it doesn't have to be ethanol. It could contain any kind of industrial waste product they can sell for a buck. As long as it burns with a blue flame, it's good. So that would be their let out, in my opinion.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 10:19:33 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on March 14, 2025, 09:15:31 pmOnce again, no. Denatured alcohol "should" be ethanol (i.e. ethyl alcohol), with some denaturants added to make it unpalatable for human consumption. If you want to use it as a solvent for, say, shellac, this is what it needs to be.For example, check this out (the "proper stuff"):https://advancechemicals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/007-100-methylated-spirits.pdfUnfortunately, as is often the case in the USA, consumers can get lumbered with all sorts of crap.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 10:32:34 pm
content: @IanBShould be is defined as what's in the SDS. Nevertheless, I will excuse Professor Ralph Feigin II. If anyone here ever knew Ralph Feigin I, they will know what I mean.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2025, 10:38:21 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on March 14, 2025, 10:19:33 pmOK. So it's ethanol plus a little bit of methanol.All the denatured alcohol I've ever used, and this is going back maybe 30 years or so, is very good at dissolving shellac and similar resins.One thing it's really good for is removing tree sap from your car. Doesn't damage the paint.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 12:04:50 am
content: Did you read the SDS for Klean Strip denatured alcohol "FUEL?" In the US, as I recall, there are at least 20 different allowed compositions for denatured alcohol. I think they are in the CFR. Denatured ethanol is different from denatured alcohol. It is typically much more expensive and sold in specialty woodworking stores for shellac. This discussion started with a question about the typical denatured alcohol for fuel found in HD/Lowes/Menards. That was the example used by the TS.

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 12:12:00 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on March 14, 2025, 09:15:31 pmThe way you've written that seems to be suggesting that benzene and benzine are somehow equivalent or similar. They are very different. Benzene is C6H6 - an aromatic hydrocarbon comprising a ring of six carbon atoms, each with a hydrogen atom attached. Carcinogenic and toxic.Benzine is another name for petroleum ether, which is not a specific chemical compound but a mixture of alkanes in varying proportions (depending on what degree of volatility you want). Smells a bit like gasoline, and is a solvent.Benzene is definitely not "similar to what we put in our cars".

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 01:23:32 am
content: Small nitpick: I just figured out what people meant by "SDS"*here; I've always read those documents referred to as "MSDS"s. Are we now down to 3 letters there?*Which I still associate with Students for a Democratic Society.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 01:25:07 am
content: Quote from: SteveThackery on March 15, 2025, 12:12:00 amOK, you're right.I was using that term in the Yurpeen sense of "automobile fuel", not the benzene ring.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 01:28:10 am
content: Quote from: shapirus on March 14, 2025, 05:50:46 pmSounds like naphtha to me, then. Although that covers quite a range of actual substances.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 03:04:02 am
content: See reply 6 above.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 04:08:08 am
content: This whole thread feels like a multi-lingual muti-cultural game of telephone that leaves me thinking I should be cleaning my PCBs with galoshes full of grain alcohol and lighter fluid.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 04:26:18 am
content: Just don't use PCBs on your PCBs. That shit be nasty.

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 07:57:49 am
content: As far as cleaning PCBs goes, isopropanol (aka IPA or isopropyl alcohol) on its own works very well in most cases, especially combined with ultrasound. Ethanol (I would guess it shouldn't matter if denatured or not, but I use food-grade 96% ethanol) works similarly well.The "Galosha" also works well, but it has a disadvantage of being more difficult to dispose of. It's also not water-soluble (nor it is alcohol-soluble, but using a mix of them for cleaning PCBs is a known technique). It, however, is super useful where alcohols are of little use: degreasing. It dissolves oils and removes them from surfaces. I can't speak for acetone, because it's a restricted substance where I live (need a special license to buy or sell it), but it's apparently good for degreasing too.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 09:02:32 am
content: Quote from: jnk0le on March 14, 2025, 06:52:53 pmThis is correct.It is funny how many people joined discussion...To all US/UK people: gasoline or petrol as used for cars is called BENZIN in Slavic countries and most of eastern Europe. Germans call it BENZIN also. Italians BENZINA.It has nothing to do with benzene, the chemical.There is also a product called "BENZIN ZA ČiŠĆENJE" or what would be translated as "gasoline for cleaning". That is some kind of ultra clean gasoline without any additives that are added for car use.Many years ago, most important thing that meant was that it didn't have Tetraethyl lead added to it (leaded gasoline).So it is simply very clean gasoline and smells like gasoline.It will dissolve grease residues, tar residues and such. You can use it to remove grease stains from cotton or wool clothes for instance..As an 19 year old kid I got stuck without fuel in some place at least 10km from gas pump. Fuel gauge got stuck or something, so it was not showing empty when it should. There was a general store right there. I went in and bought few bottles of that "cleaning gasoline", went back to the car, loaded it in to it and drove to the gas pump no problem. It sounded a little raspy, because no lead additive in it, but I drove gently to avoid detonations and it was Ok. At gas pump, I topped it off with normal Leaded SUPER 98 at it was like nothing happened.

author: Njk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 10:16:56 am
content: Quote from: u666sa on March 14, 2025, 04:51:12 pmVery unusual selection for the purpose. Anyway, it's not a chemical formula, it's a designation system according to GOST 26377-84 (Petroleum solvents. Symbols).Нефрас-<type><apercent>-<BPI>/<BPF>where:Нефрас - abbreviation for petroleum solvent (in Russian);type - the hydrocarbon type as followsП - Paraffin (>50%)И - Isoparaffin (>50%)Н - Cycloparaffin (naphthene), >50%A - Aromatic (>50%)C - a mixture of all of the above, the share of each part is no more than 50%);apercent - the persentage of aromatic hydrocarbon (except for the A type), as follows0 - <0.11 - from 0.1 to 0.5 inclusive2 - from 0.5 to 2.5 inclusive3 - from 2.5 to 5.0 inclusive4 - from 5.0 to 25.0 inclusive5 - from 25.0 to 50.0 inclusive;BPI, BPF - the boiling point temperatures, initial/final, inoC.Nomenclature:Нефрас-С2-80/120, Нефрас-С3-80/120 (petrol for use in rubber manufacturing)Нефраc-С-50/170 (solvent for general technical use)Нeфрас-С4-155/200 (solvent for use as a thinner (white spirit))Нeфрас-А-130/150 (petroleum solvent)Нефрас-А-120/200 (petroleum solvent, heavy)Нефрас-СЗ-70/95 (petrol for extraction, of direct distilling)Нефрас-С2-70/85 (petrol for extraction)Нефрас-СЗ-105/130 (solvent for use in wood secondary products manufacturing)Нефрас-П4-30/80 (petroleum ether)Нефрас-СЗ-94/99 (heptane solvent)Нефрас-С4-150/200 (a white spirit substitution)Нефрас-П1-65/75, Нефрас-П1-63/75, Нефрас-П1-65/70 (hexane solvents)Нефрас-Н2-220/300 (a process-specific solvent)Нефрас-И2-190/320 (solvent for communal insecticides)Нефрас-А-150/330 (aromatic petroleum solvent).A stuff like that can be found in the catalogs of Shell, ExxonMobil, etc.

author: kosine
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 10:48:34 am
content: Back in the days of the coal tar industry (mid to late 1800s), benzene was termed benzol, and it was used as fuel in the early days of motoring, hence the legacy terminology in many countries.It has a higher octane rating than modern petrol/gasoline (mostly iso-octane), but it was phased out due to health concerns. However, it is still present in small amounts even today, at least in the UK. Benzene is what gives fuel it's characteristic smell, pure octane is odorless. I assume this is to alert people to fuel spills, much the same way we add trace odorants to natural gas.

author: Njk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:24:00 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on March 15, 2025, 09:02:32 amAccording to a Discovery Channel program, removal of tetraethyl lead caused to reduction of violence in the society, a strong statistic correlation was observed. I wonder what's the shit they're using now as a substitution...

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:24:12 am
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on March 14, 2025, 07:14:27 pmSometimes when you check the MSDS for some industrial solvents you find that the components have their own MSDS, e.g. Pegasol 1425 as used in some products sold under the name Gunwash, alongside the usual suspects of MEK, acetone, xylene, IPA, etc, they try and cover all the bases in one product.If you're in Australia/NZ, go and buy a bottle of Andrew Kumclean (that's its actual name), described by its manufacturers as "a unique blend of solvents" and everyone else as "a cocktail of carcinogens". It'll deal with tar, paint, rubber marks, grease, etc, down to paintbrushes that are just a solid lump of dried paint, and might be marginally less toxic than Gunwash.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:29:58 am
content: NEVER use petro solvents for electronics.We use ONLY 91-99% isoprppyl alchol and flux remover.Acetone, benzine, gasoline CAN and WILL damage components, remove silkscreen print, and pose health hazards as well as very flamable.Jon

author: Njk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:55:47 am
content: I do remember successfully using IPA for cleaning the disc surface and heads of big HDDs like DEC RK

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 02:27:31 pm
content: Quote from: kosine onTodayat 10:48:34 amWhen I was a kid there was a blue gas pump at the corner gas station that was labeled something like Benzol. My father told me it was for old cars. This was in the 1950s. in Detroit. It was definitely different than the leaded gasoline at the regular pumps.There is still a big "coal Tar Industry" Coke ovens produce coke for steel and a byproduct is coal oil or coal tar. This is sold to the pharmaceutical industry. The value of the coal tar is possibly more than the value of the coke.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 02:28:42 pm
content: Quote from: abeyer on March 15, 2025, 04:08:08 amHint: if the container of the product in question is labeled in Cyrillic, it isn’t in English.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 02:34:03 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on March 14, 2025, 05:32:05 pmHis spelling was not wrong: benzene and benzine are two different things. Seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_benzine

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 02:36:18 pm
content: Quote from: Njk on March 15, 2025, 11:24:00 amG-23 Paxilon Hydrochlorate ??

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 02:41:46 pm
content: Quote from: jonpaul on March 15, 2025, 11:29:58 amCommercial flux removers commonly contain hydrocarbon solvents, such as hexane.Some, particularly ones sold as “heavy duty” for removing particularly stubborn flux residues, also contain acetone.Other than dissolving many components’ labeling, acetone is not particularly harmful for most components. (Though they do exist, I have yet to encounter any components whose plastics did not tolerate cleaning in an ethanol-acetone blend or pure acetone.) You wouldn’t want to soak things in acetone for extended periods, but PCBs will tolerate being cleaned with it.I often use the ethanol-acetone blend for cleaning under components (because the blend likes to wet the PCB surface and flow everywhere, very much more than ethanol alone, and because it’s a much more aggressive solvent and thus dissolves residues without agitation) when I cannot use the ultrasonic bath (like some recent boards I repaired that have trimpots on them, which Bourns expressly recommends not cleaning in ultrasonic).

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 09:31:20 pm
content: I second the alcohol/acetone mix for cleaning stuff; not any kind of production or chemical expert here, but I've used both, and it seems safe formostmaterials likely to be encountered.The one exception for acetone would be any styrene-based plastics (ABS or similar), which acetone will definitely soften or dissolve. But most plastics used in electronics are different from this.I used to think acetone was terribly toxic, based only on its incredibly pungent odor, but it turns out to be safer than most petroleum distillates. (Our bodies actually produce acetone under certain conditions.)

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 10:19:51 pm
content: Ethanol and acetone are the two important organic chemicals for which the human body has enzymes to remove them, but less for acetone.Acetone on the breath is an important diagnostic condition for diabetes.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:25:32 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on March 14, 2025, 06:01:43 pmThe "camp stove fuel" sounds a lot like the cleaning fluid we used years back for cleaning in some older TV & AM broadcast transmitters& associated equipment.It came in 10 gallon (imp) drums & we ordered it as "range fuel".It was definitely safe with the components of those days.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:37:05 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on March 14, 2025, 09:16:38 pmSounds like what we call "white spirit" in Oz.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2025, 11:51:17 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 15, 2025, 11:37:05 pmApparently it's just another form of naphtha.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 12:30:41 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 15, 2025, 11:37:05 pmNope:https://diggersaustralia.com.au/products/solvents/diggers-white-spirits/https://diggersaustralia.com.au/products/solvents/diggers-shellite/Different fractionation (boiling point/volatility) with white spirit being comparable to turpentine and going most of the way towards kerosene.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 12:35:16 am
content: Quote from: Someone on March 16, 2025, 12:30:41 amAaaargh; this thread is rapidly devolving.Turpentine is a wood-derived product, not petroleum.And kerosene is a paraffinic substance, unlike "white spirit" (naphtha).

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 05:02:50 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on March 16, 2025, 12:35:16 amIn Australia, the most commonly available turpentine from hardware stores, is petroleum derived.https://diggersaustralia.com.au/products/solvents/diggers-mineral-turpentine/Instead of relying on semantic word games, always refer to the MSDS.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 05:18:27 am
content: It's going to depend which country you are in."White gas" in the USA is a flammable fuel used in camp stoves. It burns like gasoline (keep it away from naked flames)."White spirit" in Commonwealth countries is a turpentine substitute for cleaning paint brushes with oil based paint. It has a low flash point and is very hard to ignite. You can't light it with a match unless you use a wick.As for "paraffinic", you have to be careful with the use of that word. Regarding petroleum, paraffins (alkanes) are the family of saturated, non-cyclic hydrocarbons such as butane, pentane, hexane, octane, ... and upwards.Petroleum mixtures are broadly characterized into paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics. Paraffins are saturated, olefins are unsaturated, naphthenes have carbon rings, and aromatics have unsaturated carbon rings.However, paraffins and naphthenes do not coincide with paraffin and naphtha distillate fractions in a refinery. Naphtha is a lighter fraction having a boiling range between about 30°C and 200°C, while paraffin (kerosene) is a heavier fraction with a boiling range between around 150°C and 275°C.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 05:20:09 am
content: Quote from: Andy Chee on March 16, 2025, 05:02:50 amBut although commonly called "turps", it is not actually real turpentine, it is a turpentine substitute.

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 08:22:04 am
content: Quote from: IanB on March 16, 2025, 05:18:27 amMore fun in the linguistic games department btw: "нафта" (= nafta) means "oil" (as in crude oil) in Ukrainian.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 10:57:28 am
content: Quote from: tooki on March 15, 2025, 02:41:46 pmAs an aside, acetone is also very effective at lifting tamperproof labels without leaving any evidence of tampering.Just in case you ever need to do that...

author: jnk0le
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 03:17:59 pm
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on March 16, 2025, 10:57:28 amUntil it dissolves the plastic around those labels

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 07:14:45 am
content: Quote from: IanB on March 16, 2025, 05:20:09 amIt actually says that on the label---"Mineral Turpentine".Artists use real turps with oil paints, as its drying characteristics are different, but it is near enough for house painters.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 07:19:57 am
content: Quote from: IanB on March 16, 2025, 05:18:27 amBack in the day, we used "White Spirit" in camp stoves", & I have never seen it used for cleaning paint brushes. You use "Mineral Turps" for that.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 07:44:41 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 17, 2025, 07:19:57 amAs ever, it depends which country you are in. In the UK, bottles labelled as "white spirit" in the hardware store are specifically used for cleaning brushes used with oil based paints and for thinning such paints. Apparently this should also be the case in Australia.Much more information on Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spiritAccording to that article, it is not recommended to use it as a fuel. It is better to use a properly designated lamp or stove fuel. I do recall from my youth, that trying to burn white spirit with an oil wick produced a very dirty yellow flame and clouds of soot.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 08:08:41 am
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on March 16, 2025, 10:57:28 amMaybe they use some other glues for those, but IME most labels in general are best removed with hydrocarbon solvents like petroleum ether or white spirit. Acetone is less effective and alcohols barely at all.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 06:00:57 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 17, 2025, 07:19:57 amBut either one would work for that purpose, probably equally well.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 07:27:32 pm
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on March 17, 2025, 06:00:57 pmEspecially for latex and other water-based paints.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2025, 07:30:50 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on March 17, 2025, 07:27:32 pmAh, I see what you did there.No, wise guy: for "oil"-based paints. (But not lacquer, to be precise, which requires acetone/xylol, etc., solvents.)