Oil Painters: Oily Rags/Self-Combustion QUESTION:
Ricardo Contreras
You know... I'm surprised to learn that I can't find Oil Painting
related newsgroups!? I mean something like "alt.arts.painting" or
"alt.arts.painting.oil". I guess my news server just doesn't know of
any... Anyone care to point me to a news server that knows of such a
newsgroup?
-----
Ok... My Question:
I'm an oil painter. For years now, I've been doing my work just as I
always do... and as I start to clean up for the day and I wipe things up
with my rags, I start to think, "Ok. I'm not supposed to be leaving
oily rags lying around like this."
I keep remembering the comments about the possibility (even if a remote
possibility...) of oily rags and turpentine soaked rags being able to
self-combust. (and hey, with more turpentine close by... that's a big
fire hazard!) So...
What is the PROPER procedure for dealing with used, oily rags? Anyone
care to enlighten me? Please?
Just trying to be cautious... Thanx.
Paz,
Ricardo
Silverpt
Ricardo:
Any metal can with a secure, preferably air-tight lid will do to store
or hold them until they can go out with the trash. Probably to be
cautious, I would make them the last item to go in before putting the
bag on the street and I would put them in a seperate plastic bag with
the air squeezed out.
Paint rags are not too wonderful for the environment. You may want to
look into local regs about disposal and/or finding a place that handles
hazardous material for art schools, etc.
I painted with oil for many years and just used a metal kitchen can, the
kind that has a foot pedal. I used a mostly stand oil and varnish
medium and never got the rags really soaked. Nothing ever came close to
igniting.
Good Luck!
RA
Donald A Jusko
>You know... I'm surprised to learn that I can't find Oil Painting
>related newsgroups!? I mean something like "alt.arts.painting" or
>"alt.arts.painting.oil". I guess my news server just doesn't know of
>any... Anyone care to point me to a news server that knows of such a
>newsgroup?
>
>-----
>
>Ok... My Question:
>
>I'm an oil painter. For years now, I've been doing my work just as I
>always do... and as I start to clean up for the day and I wipe things up
>with my rags, I start to think, "Ok. I'm not supposed to be leaving
>oily rags lying around like this."
>
>I keep remembering the comments about the possibility (even if a remote
>possibility...) of oily rags and turpentine soaked rags being able to
>self-combust. (and hey, with more turpentine close by... that's a big
>fire hazard!) So...
>
>What is the PROPER procedure for dealing with used, oily rags? Anyone
>care to enlighten me? Please?
>
>Just trying to be cautious... Thanx.
>
>Paz,
>
>
>Ricardo
>
>
>
>
>
>
Hi Ricardo,
I burned down a whole waterbed factory by letting them throw the
staining rags in a pile. Use an air tight can or lay them out to dry.
Aloha,
Don
Donald A Jusko
>You know... I'm surprised to learn that I can't find Oil Painting
>related newsgroups!? I mean something like "alt.arts.painting" or
>"alt.arts.painting.oil". I guess my news server just doesn't know of
>any... Anyone care to point me to a news server that knows of such a
>newsgroup?
>
>-----
>
>Ok... My Question:
>
>I'm an oil painter. For years now, I've been doing my work just as I
>always do... and as I start to clean up for the day and I wipe things up
>with my rags, I start to think, "Ok. I'm not supposed to be leaving
>oily rags lying around like this."
>
>I keep remembering the comments about the possibility (even if a remote
>possibility...) of oily rags and turpentine soaked rags being able to
>self-combust. (and hey, with more turpentine close by... that's a big
>fire hazard!) So...
>
>What is the PROPER procedure for dealing with used, oily rags? Anyone
>care to enlighten me? Please?
>
>Just trying to be cautious... Thanx.
>
>Paz,
>
>
>Ricardo
>
>Hi Ricardo,
Let the rags dry indivigually, not piled up.
>
>
>
>
Grand Druid
Donald A Jusko wrote: Ok. I'm not supposed to be leaving oily rags lying
around like this."
Printmakers use springloaded metal cans to deposit soaked rags. This cuts
the fumes substantially and reduces the risk of combustion.
Note: solvent and oil fumes gather on the floor so vent the studio from the
bottom out.
Herb
@delARTe is a pro bono contra malum organization.
We render unusual services to the arts.
___________________________
http://www.CCnet.com/~herb/