Mineral spirits + simple green + acetone to clean tubing

[joedirt1966]

For cleaning the oil off the outside of hot rolled mild steel TUBING I have been using a 2 or 3 step method.

Step 1: I use mineral spirits to cut through the initial layers of gunk since it "cuts" well and doesn't evaporate quickly.

Step 2: Then I use simple green to remove any residual mineral spirits.

Step 3: Sometimes, I will do a final wipe with acetone. However, I can't see much difference with the acetone after using mineral spirits and then simple green.
Acetone evaporates too quickly to use as a first line of defense for the oil layer on tubing (in my opinion).

HERE IS MY QUESTION: Do any of you have any other cost effective, non-toxic magic elixirs to remove the outer layer of oils on hot rolled mild steel?

I'm not talking about mill scale. I use twisted wire cups, flap discs, and/or grinding wheels for mill scale.

Thanks in advance.

[Sandy]

I generally use some mineral spirits on cold rolled that is dripping with oil. As you say, it doesn't evaporate near as quick. Before paint I'll use laquer thinner. It's seems to cut anything I need to cut and stays in the rag long enough to get some cleaning done. Unless you need laboratory clean acetone is a pain. Most of the hot rolled i get isn't that bad.

[DesertRider33]

I don't like mineral spirits cause it leaves behind it's own oily residue, which kinda defeats the purpose of cleaning the metal, in my mind. I use mostly acetone, but sometimes use lacquer thinner if there is alot of oil. I agree, the acetone does evaporate off rather quickly.

[denrep]

Originally Posted by joedirt1966

. . .HERE IS MY QUESTION: Do any of you have any other cost effective, non-toxic magic elixirs to remove the outer layer of oils on hot rolled mild steel?

I like a quick flash-over burn-off with a cutting torch adjusted hot, and the O2 jet blasting. Brush and repeat for more stubborn containments.

Extra paint and oil are converted to extra cleaning power.

As previously seen on WeldingWeb TV:
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?p=276344






Good Luck

[bert the welder]

I always sued paint thinner on CR solid and tube. Cleans good enough for my needs. Kinda sucks when it's winter and not chop heat. Paint thinner soaked rag+ 50, 20' lengths of cold metal= hand ache! And god help you if you whack your hand on something!!!!!!

[joedirt1966]

Thanks guys.
I'll try some lacquer thinner (outdoors) to compare.
I tend to use lacquer thinner sparingly......I’m getting older and I’m trying to maintain as many brain cells as possible....its pretty potent stuff!

I'll also have to try the burn method () on the really nasty metal. It might be a little overkill for new tubing.

[bert the welder]

Make sure to wear gloves when using Lacquer Thinner and Acetone. It's absorbed through the skin as well. Nasty stuff

[joedirt1966]

Originally Posted by bert the welder

Make sure to wear gloves when using Lacquer Thinner and Acetone. It's absorbed through the skin as well. Nasty stuff

Always do. Thanks!

[farmersamm]

Other than leaving the tubing outside for a while (the best method)

Instead of using a rag soaked in solvent.....brush the solvent on with a cheap natural hair chip brush, it goes very fast. Then wipe the crud off with paper towels.

The bunch of corral panels I made a while back each had 65' of tubing. It took around 10 minutes to 15 minutes to prep each of them for paint using a brush and wipe method. The brush doesn't hold oil like a rag either, so you're not reapplying oil with the solvent.

I stick with mineral spirits, and don't worry about mineral spirit residue. The paint's thinned with mineral spirits

[ed mac]

brake cleaner works great its cheep at walmart

[tapwelder]

Simple green or greased lightning, scrub until on sooty residue in left. Leaving it in the sun does help break down the oil.

Never had much success with mineral spirits, only. My paint used rub off or come off in large flakes when I cleaned with only mineral spirits.

[ggarner]

If you want something that lasts a little longer than acetone you can use isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Depending on where you get it you can get 90% for ~$2 for a 32oz at any drug store. It will dissolve most oils. You can also mix it up with acetone to get more oil onto the rag and slow evaporation.

Other stuff that will work well for dissolving oils is mixed hexanes, petrolium ethers (pet ethers), and in a pinch PVC primer will work but it usually has that purple dye in it. However these are all highly flammable and should only be used outside.

[SuperArc]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the ease of denatured alcohol. It's cheap and you can get it by the gallon at Lowes or Home Depot stores..... Evaporates really quick and removes ALL oils/grease, etc...

[RedneckJazz]

Brake cleaner is DANGEROUS if you plan to weld this metal. (Argon gas + Brake cleaner residue + Welding heat = DEATH) You probably know that already, but the danger is so high, I thought I'd mention it.
Has anyone used Naptha?? It evaporates slower than Acetone, and still does a good job on oils. Dont know if it leaves a residue. Furniture/Woodworking finishers seem to like it.
-az-

[bert the welder]

I go to the local thrift store and get the "bag or rags", usually old bath/beach/hand towels. Cheap. I use one with the paint thinner on to clean and the other hand holds the wipe-off rag. Tried sponges, brushes, paper, etc, and like that rags best. The drier/cleaner "wipe-off" rage becomes the thinner rag when the thinner rag become gunked up and the new piece is used for the drier. Store them in an air tight container. Nothing like a thinner rag fire in the shop to make the new guys panic!!! That's just to funny!

[joedirt1966]

Thank you all for your input. Since, I have most of the items mentioned, I'll give some alternative cleaning methods a try.

I'll try the chip brush method to see how it works. I have used a brush + solvents to clean motorcycle/bicycle chains for several years. I never even thought of using them on steel. Thanks Farmersamm.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!