Cleanup

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tiriaq

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There have been threads discussing the Indian DP SMLE rifles recently imported.
These look as if they have been rode hard and put away wet. Probably filthy, oil/grease soaked, etc.

Reminded me of seeing metal and wood parts of filthy rifles being cleaned up using a vapor phase degreaser.
These degreasers were large tanks. Solvent in the bottom, which was vaporized. The space just above the boiling surface of the solvent was saturated solvent vapor.
Parts would be suspended in the vapor level of the tank. The solvent would condense on the parts, dissolving all sorts of grease, oil and grunge. The contaminated solvent would drip back into the tank, where it would be evaporated again. I used one of these in a plating shop. A friend had one in his electric motor shop. Metal parts processed through the degreaser came out absolutely free of oil and grease. Battered, oil and grease soaked wooden pieces would come out looking like battered brand new wood, clean and several shades lighter than when it went it.

Anyone know of the whereabouts of one of these units? It sure gives a running head start in refurbishing grungy old rifles.
 
I did a 'net search, they are still available. I was wondering if environmental issues had done away with them.
 
After all these years I do not recollect what the solvent was. Trichloroethane boils at some 87 degrees C., so that would be about right.
 
I used carbontetracloride as a cleaner degreaser years ago before it was listed as poison and you needed a permit to buy it.
 
I used one of these for 10 yrs. when I was a mechanic @ a CAT. Dealer. In the shop
we called it the "VAPOR TANK". It was a SUPER degreaser. Also took off paint.
The chemical used had a "12" letter long name & I think was too dangerouse to be
allowed anymore . We used it for a basket of small parts to enging blocks. Super Cleaner.
 
Tick said:
I used carbontetracloride as a cleaner degreaser years ago before it was listed as poison and you needed a permit to buy it.
Click to expand...

Just discovered until 1986, the Carbon tet was used as a grain fumigant. That's great, so we ate it. Nice. Just like we can't use the only thing that actually strips paint and finishes effectively, Methylene Chloride. Though you can buy the components to make it. All gone; just like childhood chemistry setsG:
 
I remember carbon tet fire extinguishers. Also the spot remover sold in grocery stores. Didn't fibreglas kits come with MEK?
 
You can still get methylene chloride. It's used in the plastic industry for solvent welding. Mixed with some toluene and it does a pretty good job of removing even the solvent proof greases.
 
The old dry-cleaning fluids were very similar. Who can forget the smell. Perchlorethylene IIRC.

The vapour degreasers had a cooling coil over the top of the tank to condense whatever didn't condense on the objects being cleaned.

Not as good as an ultrasonic in some ways, but no rinsing or drying required.
 
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