Read this and maybe save your life... seriously.

I've posted this a few places tonight, so forgive me if you've seen it elsewhere already. Now to the point...

I'm as guilty as anyone of not reading the labels on the chemicals I use in the garage and when working on cars, but I will now. Do yourself a favor, spend 2 minutes and read this... it really could save your life. Seriously.

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

Timely advice, but I've seen this before.

It's been on here before, but having it pop up every couple of months isn't a bad thing.

Thanks for the reminder.

I do apologize for the repost then, but as you said, worth repeating.

I have not seen this before so I appreciate the useful information. Scary stuff.

I didn't know this until a few weeks (months??) ago when we were here discussing the use of heaters in garages.

NEWS FLASH....Lungs are for a lifetime, hearts are replaced. Wear a respirator

Jeez, who knew it was so easy to make chemical weapons?

One of the few times that I'm almost glad to currently have neither shop-space nor project car.

SnowMongoose wrote: One of the few times that I'm almost glad to currently have neither shop-space nor project car.

hang out here long enough and we will convince you....I had my datsun donor long before I had a house with a garage.

darkbuddha wrote: I do apologize for the repost then, but as you said, worth repeating.

We like reposts....just ask Ken Block.

Ken Who?

nderwater wrote: Jeez, who knew it was so easy to make chemical weapons?

My thoughts exactly

Buy non flammable as opposed to INflammable when possible, read the label. If your gonna ride wear a helmet on that thang

I can't count the thousands of times over the last two and a half decades that I have burnt brakleen in closed garages or heated parts I have soaked with it in the oven.

Only once while powder coating did I notice anything odd. I had hosed down a valve cover with good old red can brakleen and put it in the 400 degree oven upside down. There must have been 2 tablespoons of fluid in it. When I opened the door 10 minutes later it stunk really bad and I got a little light headed so I went out side for a few minutes while the air cleared.

Hell, I used to use a propane torch to dry up any oversprayed brake cleaner when I was cleaning dirty steel before welding.

I don't do any of this anymore. I am not saying the article is baseless, Far from it. Chemistry is an exact science, but I don't think a couple of hidden molecules on an item being welded would hospitalize most folks.

Better safe than sorry though. Err on the side of caution.

I repost this same link shamelessly anytime chemicals and heat are mentioned in the context of an enclosed space on this board. This is one of those things that's worth re-reading regularly as a reminder that complacency in the shop can be really dangerous. This is a hazardous hobby we have here, and that's all too easy to overlook.

The issue isn't the brakekleen and heat. It's brakekleen in heat without the presence of oxygen.

Acetone is pro for cleaning weld joints. Or anything really. It's the only solvent I use in the garage except for carb cleaner for carbs. But I'm trying to replace that with the ultrasonic cleaner I picked up. For most other things I just use warm water and dish soap.

Brakecleener did a terrible job of cleaning my fresh rotors. A slightly soapy paper towel did a better job and one quick wipe with acetone got everything off.

Taiden wrote: The issue isn't the brakekleen and heat. It's brakekleen in heat without the presence of oxygen. Acetone is pro for cleaning weld joints. Or anything really. It's the only solvent I use in the garage except for carb cleaner for carbs. But I'm trying to replace that with the ultrasonic cleaner I picked up. For most other things I just use warm water and dish soap. Brakecleener did a terrible job of cleaning my fresh rotors. A slightly soapy paper towel did a better job and one quick wipe with acetone got everything off.

I agree on the acetone front, but I also keep denatured alcohol around for cleaning brakes.

Yeah denat is good stuff. Also mineral spirits for parts cleaning.

I thought the article spoke specifically about the presence of heat and argon to get phosgene...

Not that the stuff itself isn't nasty, but I got the impression that it was the phosgene that was the really-double-extra-scary part...

EDIT:

Article said:The active chemical in the brake cleaner is tetrachloroethylene. When this chemical is exposed to excessive heat and the chemical argon, which is used in MIG and TIG welding, it produces phosgene. Phosgene gas can be fatal with a dose as little as four parts per million...

Darkbuddha, no reason to apologize for safety.

darkbuddha wrote: I've posted this a few places tonight, so forgive me if you've seen it elsewhere already. Now to the point... I'm as guilty as anyone of not reading the labels on the chemicals I use in the garage and when working on cars, but I will now. Do yourself a favor, spend 2 minutes and read this... it really could save your life. Seriously. http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

Worked XR, That you?!

Seen it, always worth re-posting.

I have an idea, lets start a sticky about welding fumes and chemical fumes. Who knows, we might actually make a difference.

mr2peak wrote: Seen it, always worth re-posting. I have an idea, lets start a sticky about welding fumes and chemical fumes. Who knows, we might actually make a difference.

I second this. I'm totally ok with this being reposted every month otherwise.

In reply to ditchdigger: Just because you're still walking upright doesn't mean it hasn't damaged you. If someone survives a parachute failure that doesn't mean they don't need it next time.