Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
Flammable solvents are used all the time with fiberglass work and for other tasks, acetone which is something that gets lots of use (and I use a fair bit) is extremely flammable.
I would definitely advise to use with caution, and ensure that there is no ignition source to cause combustion. Know what you are doing, and how to safely do it.
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Just to clarify and amplify my earlier comment about using flammables.
Most solvents used in
fiberglass work have a high flash point and quickly evaporate from the working surface when used with a cloth. Add to that, they are usually dispensed from a small container with a cap that is kept closed to prevent evaporation. This makes for a smaller risk, but I did have a graphic artist that worked for me get severe burns on her arm using acetone to wipe down a drafting table, that was set alight with a static spark..
Gasoline, on the other hand, is very slow to evaporate, it's vapors can travel a substantial distance, it can pool on the floor, and is usually dispensed by the user from a larger container, usually one without a safety cap.
The perfect storm appears when the user starts wiping down the fiberglass surface and draws a static spark when lifting a dry rag from the surface.
And speaking of fiberglass, gasoline and fires:
A personal friend of mine once owned a Volvo P-1900, a rare and limited production Volvo convertible of the late 50's of which only about 50 were ever built. Here's a link to them:
Fantastic Fiberglass: The ultra-rare Volvo Sport P1900 | Autoweek
He was cleaning the brake backing plates with gasoline and splashed some on the paint work. To clean it off he grabbed a dry towel and rapidly rubbed where the gas had splashed and, when he lifted the towel it burst into flames, caused by a static spark. Even more unfortunately, he dropped the burning towel into the pan of gasoline he was cleaning with and the end result that it burned the fiberglass Volvo P-1900 to the ground.
I really doubt if there is any creditable source that will endorse using gasoline as a cleaning solvent when other alternatives are available.
And, btw, because the O.P. is in CO in the winter, be especially careful to not doing the work in a garage with an exposed flame water heater, another source for the Big Bang.