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Cleaning with GAS

Old 04-05-05, 07:01 PM
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Cleaning with GAS

Hello
I was just wondering if it is okay to clean your drive train with gasoline such as the chain, crank, etc. I have done it a few times on my MTB and it works great. Does anyone know anything about this that i should know??
Thanks,
Ian
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Old 04-05-05, 07:09 PM
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I would never ever recommend using gasoline as a cleaning agent due to its low flash point. A gasoline fire will get all over you in a hurry, just not worth the risk.

Diesel fuel, kerosene, and mineral spirits are much safer, yet there is some risk with them also.

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Old 04-05-05, 07:12 PM
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its really not good for you. I mean it works, it works super well but so does simple green....or oranj peelz degreaser from pedros, without the risk and health problems
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Old 04-05-05, 08:24 PM
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Its also a great idea to soak your drivetrain in gasoline and then do a pedal grind.
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Old 04-05-05, 08:30 PM
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Well, don't smoke around it if you must.

Why would you use gas when you have other options?

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Old 04-05-05, 08:38 PM
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Sounds like a pretty good troll to me!

Here's an idea that I've heard . . . when you want to check the level of gas in the container, use a lighter put close to the hole so you can see. Should be a very . . . umm, enlightening experience!

In case this wasn't a troll -- sorry -- you should really consider something less toxic/dangerous/etc., such as Simple Green or other degreaser.

:: awaits inevitable flames admonishing that the stuff you remove from the drivetrain is still toxic, and gives a knowing glance ::
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Old 04-05-05, 10:23 PM
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I think flaming this thread would be dangerous.
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Old 04-05-05, 10:31 PM
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Takes paint off a bike chain fer sure.
I used it once when no thinner and spray painting out scratches.

Using gas is kinda eco unfriendly, I just use water, dishsoap and a toothbrush.
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Old 04-05-05, 10:44 PM
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a flaming chain, on a bike especially, would be a site to see.
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Old 04-05-05, 11:48 PM
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With gas as expensive as it is why not just use a citrus based cleaner?
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Old 04-06-05, 07:12 AM
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Brake Parts Cleaner for abou $3 a can. It's still flammable but much safer and easier to use.
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Old 04-06-05, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by sleger7889
Hello
I was just wondering if it is okay to clean your drive train with gasoline...Does anyone know anything about this that i should know?
Yeah - gasoline contains a high percentage of benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon that causes cancer. The benzene concentration is why service stations all became "self service" - the service-station-attendants who formerly pumped gasoline all day were getting seriously dosed with benzene from the vapors. You can't avoid benzene exposure while you gas up your car (unless you use a respirator), but you shouldn't invite extra exposure by using gasoline as a solvent.

Also, the benzene in gasoline can enter your body through your skin as well. This is another reason not to use gasoline as a cleaner.

Finally, as mentioned in other replies, the vapors of gasoline are HIGHLY flammable, and are also heavier than air. This means that a flammable vapor cloud from the gasoline can travel significant distances through sewers, ditches, or other low spots - find a source of ignition - and flash back to the source.

Overall - non-flammable and less-flammable solvents are readily available that are significantly less toxic. Use them instead of gasoline.

Thanks.
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Old 04-06-05, 10:50 AM
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Home Depot sells ZEP citrus-based degreaser/cleaner for $7.58/gallon. Good stuff.

https://snipurl.com/dur2
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Old 04-06-05, 11:04 AM
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Just dont use gasoline around your meth lab or you'll spoil the batch.
Let experience be your guide.

Enjoy
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Old 04-06-05, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
The benzene concentration is why service stations all became "self service" - the service-station-attendants who formerly pumped gasoline all day were getting seriously dosed with benzene from the vapors.
Who told you that one? It was simply the fact that people were no longer willing to pay extra for the service. Or in other words, were willing to do it themselves to save some money. My father owned several gas stations that went through the transition of full service only - full / self - then self service only. Benzene exposure had nothing to do with it.
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Old 04-06-05, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by DieselDan
I think flaming this thread would be dangerous.
ha-ha-ha-ha
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Old 04-06-05, 02:04 PM
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If you have absolutely nothing else to use (on distant tour with no options, etc) then I'd say do it. Use as little as possible, make sure there's no obvious ignition sources nearby and do it outdoors! We used to do that with engine parts when we lived in a remote campsite, 200km from the nearest road. Our only potential de-greasers were the gasoline, naptha, and such supplies that the helicopter dropped off for us. So it CAN be done, but it is far from ideal. If there was any other option, I'd say go for it.

Last edited by Sebach; 04-06-05 at 02:05 PM. Reason: speeling
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Old 04-06-05, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Avalanche325
Who told you that one? It was simply the fact that people were no longer willing to pay extra for the service. Or in other words, were willing to do it themselves to save some money. My father owned several gas stations that went through the transition of full service only - full / self - then self service only. Benzene exposure had nothing to do with it.
It sounds like more environmentalist BS to me.

The FDA has just outlawed my Albuterol inhaler due to environmental reasons. The claim is that the chlorofluorocarbon propellants are depleting the ozone layer. They make it sound as though millions of people are standing outside spraying their precious metered doses right up into the atmostphere. What hooey. I NEED that inhaler.
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Old 04-06-05, 02:13 PM
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Notice how the original poster has left. Nice trolling action.
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Old 04-06-05, 02:50 PM
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Why run the risk of a fire. Simple Green is cheap and available at any hardware or auto supply store. Keep it "simple"
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Old 04-06-05, 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Doctor Morbius
It sounds like more environmentalist BS to me.
The sad thing is that a lot of that BS is simply about money. People and groups generate reports that support whatever they want and take them to the government to receive funding to fight off the impending doom. That way they have a job for several years.

Cows burping and farting produce more environmentally harmful gasses than just about anything. Let’s outlaw them.

Some such causes are very legitimate; I did not say ALL......
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Old 04-06-05, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Avalanche325
The sad thing is that a lot of that BS is simply about money. People and groups generate reports that support whatever they want and take them to the government to receive funding to fight off the impending doom. That way they have a job for several years.

Cows burping and farting produce more environmentally harmful gasses than just about anything. Let’s outlaw them.
Let's give those cows the death penalty and go have a cheeseburger!

Some such causes are very legitimate; I did not say ALL......
I agree. But outlawing Albuterol inhalers to asthma patients is absurd. If they really wanted to do some good they would outlaw cigarettes. Cancer sticks don't do a damned thing for anybody except supply profits to corporations and tobacco farmers and politicians. I can't even go to a pub and enjoy a few beers without gagging on somebody's stink.

In 2001, 20 million Americans had asthma, including 6.3 million children. That was up from 6.7 Americans with asthma in 1980.
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Old 04-06-05, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Doctor Morbius
It sounds like more environmentalist BS to me.

The FDA has just outlawed my Albuterol inhaler due to environmental reasons. The claim is that the chlorofluorocarbon propellants are depleting the ozone layer. They make it sound as though millions of people are standing outside spraying their precious metered doses right up into the atmostphere. What hooey. I NEED that inhaler.
I've read many of your posts and have a great deal of respect for you, but you're telling only half of the story here.

The FDA did not just hang your @ss out to dry. What they did do is to require that the current inhalers, using environmentally harmful CFC's, be phased out by 12/31/08, based on the presence of a suitable alternative that does not harm the environment. There will be two suppliers of the new version, ensuring at least some level of competition (theoretically preventing price gouging).

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...p?newsid=22065
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Old 04-06-05, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Doctor Morbius
Let's give those cows the death penalty and go have a cheeseburger!
But then you've just transferred the source of emissions to yourself.
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Old 04-06-05, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by neil0502
I've read many of your posts and have a great deal of respect for you, but you're telling only half of the story here.

The FDA did not just hang your @ss out to dry. What they did do is to require that the current inhalers, using environmentally harmful CFC's, be phased out by 12/31/08, based on the presence of a suitable alternative that does not harm the environment. There will be two suppliers of the new version, ensuring at least some level of competition (theoretically preventing price gouging).

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...p?newsid=22065
That should read allegedly harm the environment. Cow farts are much worse. Fortunately, I don't have to inhale them.

Yes true. I should have stated that it was being phased out for a supposedly more environmentally friendly and much more expensive medication. The article I read, stated the newer medication would cost $20 more. That's quite a percentage increase for an uninsured person like me.

I have used some of the powdered medications before. In fact I'm using two of them (Serevent & Pulmicort) right now as I've a nasty case of bronchitis that has stuck around for months. The problem with the powdered inhalers are they just don't seem to work very well. The powder goes into the back of my mouth and onto my tounge and just sits there tasting all gritty and nasty. The Albuterol always seemed to go straight into the lungs and do it's job well.
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