acetone on aluminum

[martymar333]

just curious, i see most on here like to use acetone to clean aluminum, what would be wrong with using lacquer thinner, thanks in advance.

marty

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Marty, I use denatured alcohol most of the time, and sometimes laquer thinner. I have no idea what is so attractive about acetone other than "that's what the internet says"...it feels awfull oily to me.

[spotsineyes]

...it feels awfull oily to me.

That's the natural oil that used to be in your skin that you're feeling.

[precisionworks]

what would be wrong with using lacquer thinner

Lacquer Thinner contains two known toxins. Using that product will expose you to benzene which is known to cause cancer and to toluol which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

That's if you use it for its intended purpose, thinning of lacquer paints. When used as a welding cleaner, the heat from the arc & the heated metal vaporizes the toxins so they can more readily be absorbed by the lungs.

Alcohol will work, but it's slower & more likely not to dissolve all surface contaminants (oils, grease, dirt, etc.). Acetone is considered the safest of the 'hot solvents'. While it is still moderately toxic, it beats all other choices for TIG precleaning.

[martymar333]

Lacquer Thinner contains two known toxins. Using that product will expose you to benzene which is known to cause cancer and to toluol which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

That's if you use it for its intended purpose, thinning of lacquer paints. When used as a welding cleaner, the heat from the arc & the heated metal vaporizes the toxins so they can more readily be absorbed by the lungs.

Alcohol will work, but it's slower & more likely not to dissolve all surface contaminants (oils, grease, dirt, etc.). Acetone is considered the safest of the 'hot solvents'. While it is still moderately toxic, it beats all other choices for TIG precleaning.

thank you barry, the kind of answer i was looking for. thanks.

marty

[[email protected]]

That's the natural oil that used to be in your skin that you're feeling.

Not doubting you, but why does laquer thinner not give me the oily feeling?

When used as a welding cleaner, the heat from the arc & the heated metal vaporizes the toxins so they can more readily be absorbed by the lungs.

Is that why I've been twitching violently lately?

I'll be making the switch to acetone. Good question Marty.