Oil Painting Techniques
Starr
A few posts back there we were discussing oil painting methods.
I failed to mention one of the things that has made life a lot easier
for me since discovering its use some years ago:
ACETONE Solvent.
Be forewarned, it is a highly volatile solvent, high vapor pressure
similar to raw gasoline. It is safer than most other solvents from
the standpoint of toxicity. And there is NO substitute for it when it
comes to softening dried oil paint, linseed oil, damar varnish and
other oil painting films. I use a piece of plate glass for a pallete,
and dried paint cannot be easily removed with conventional paint
thinners. A little acetone, spread around with the end of a scraper,
works like magic. My pallete cups eventually become a gummy
mess. I put a little acetone in a large-mouth jar, drop in whatever
I want to clean, slosh it around a bit, and--voila !! You can even use
it to soften and remove paint from natural bristle brushes and some
of the nylons--but don't allow it into the handle/ferrule area.
Acetone is available in gallons at most building supply and paint stores.
Store it with the care you would give any flammable in your studio.
--
________________________________________________________
Trying to make life a little easier is one effort worthwhile.
Billing, Starr © 1995
Andy Pearlman
>
>A few posts back there we were discussing oil painting methods.
>I failed to mention one of the things that has made life a lot easier
>for me since discovering its use some years ago:
> ACETONE Solvent.
>Be forewarned, it is a highly volatile solvent, high vapor pressure
>similar to raw gasoline. It is safer than most other solvents from
>the standpoint of toxicity. And there is NO substitute for it when it
>comes to softening dried oil paint, linseed oil, damar varnish and
There is a big problem with Acetone. It in and of itself is not particularly
toxic, but it has some DMSO-like properties - i.e. it is very good at
penetrating the skin and taking other more toxic stuff with it. Careful...
Andy
--
Andy Pearlman
apea...@panix.com - artwork at http://www.weschke.com/iiw (showcase->artwork)
Deus Ex Machina found to be Gerbil in a Wheel.
Starr
>> It is safer than most other solvents from
>> the standpoint of toxicity.
>
>Excuse me? SAFER???
I quote from HEALTH HAZARDS MANUAL FOR ARTISTS,
author: Michael McCann, Ph.D.
Solvents, Acids, Alkalis--(Ketones, page six)--in the discussion of a
number of different solvents used in studio art.
"Acetone is one of the safest solvents (except for its high
flammability) and does not seem to have any lasting effects."
In any case, as with ALL SOLVENTS used in the artist's studio,
one needs to minimize exposure by proper handling and adequate
ventilation. In the context of OTHER solvents, such as turps,
mineral spirits, and other hydrocarbons, Acetone is relatively
mild and a wondrous aid for cleaning up dried oil painting residues.
Artists should ask for and read Material Safety Data Sheets for
every substance they use in the studio. In the case of stuff bought
from local building suppliers, hardware, or paint stores all one
needs do is ask and the store should be able to supply the
appropriate Data Sheet--or at the very least a copy.
--
________________________________________________________
You can play with fire without getting burned--most of the time.
Billing, Starr © 1995
Starr
>
>In article <ceicher-1108...@s125.netins.net>, cei...@netins.net says..
>.
>
>>> It is safer than most other solvents from
>>> the standpoint of toxicity.
>>
>>Excuse me? SAFER???
Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
RUBBING ALCHOHOL has been liberally applied to bodies of
humans for ages and used as a disenfectant too !!! NOT ONLY
THAT, acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the
normal chemistry of bodily processes. See the following excerpted
from encyclopedia:
ENCYCLOPEDIA -- TEXT: acetone
======================================
{as'-uh-tohn}
Acetone, or 2-propanone, or dimethylketone, is a fragrant,
colorless, and flammable liquid that boils at 56.2 deg C and
solidifies at -34.8 deg C. Acetone is mainly produced by the
dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol, which is obtained from
propylene. Small amounts of acetone are present in blood and
urine, but some diabetic patients show larger than normal
concentrations. Diabetics evacuate this excess in urine
(acetonuria) and through their lungs; its presence in the
exhaled air causes an odor known as "acetone breath." In
industry, acetone is an important solvent for cellulose nitrate
and cellulose acetate and is also used in the production of
explosives.
Andy Pearlman
>In article <ceicher-1108...@s125.netins.net>, cei...@netins.net says...
>>> It is safer than most other solvents from
>>> the standpoint of toxicity.
>>
>>Excuse me? SAFER???
>
>author: Michael McCann, Ph.D.
>
>Solvents, Acids, Alkalis--(Ketones, page six)--in the discussion of a
>number of different solvents used in studio art.
> "Acetone is one of the safest solvents (except for its high
>flammability) and does not seem to have any lasting effects."
As I noted, Acetone has the ability to carry objects(such as small amounts of
pigment, dirt, oils, inks, etc...) under the skin. This makes Acetone an
extremely hazardous item not in and of itself, but depending entirely on what
you work with. What year is that health manual?
Charles Eicher
> A few posts back there we were discussing oil painting methods.
> I failed to mention one of the things that has made life a lot easier
> for me since discovering its use some years ago:
> ACETONE Solvent.
> Be forewarned, it is a highly volatile solvent, high vapor pressure
> similar to raw gasoline. It is safer than most other solvents from
> the standpoint of toxicity.
Excuse me? SAFER???
Acetone is a Class 1 Carcinogen, and will do all sorts of nasty things to
your liver and central nervous system. It should be handled only with
rubber gloves and a vapor-proof respirator, preferably under a fume hood
with an air scrubber (to keep the acetone vapor from venting into the
environment). It is also highly explosive, due to its volatility, and its
low flash-point (lower than gasoline).
Acetone does a wonderful job of dissolving organic compounds such as
paintbrush residue and your internal organs.
------------------
Charles Eicher
cei...@netins.net
------------------
Wray Kephart
X A few posts back there we were discussing oil painting methods.
X I failed to mention one of the things that has made life a lot easier
X for me since discovering its use some years ago:
X ACETONE Solvent.
X Be forewarned, it is a highly volatile solvent, high vapor pressure
X similar to raw gasoline. It is safer than most other solvents from
X the standpoint of toxicity. And there is NO substitute for it when it
X comes to softening dried oil paint, linseed oil, damar varnish and
X other oil painting films. I use a piece of plate glass for a pallete,
X and dried paint cannot be easily removed with conventional paint
X thinners. A little acetone, spread around with the end of a scraper,
X works like magic. My pallete cups eventually become a gummy
X mess. I put a little acetone in a large-mouth jar, drop in whatever
X I want to clean, slosh it around a bit, and--voila !! You can even use
X it to soften and remove paint from natural bristle brushes and some
X of the nylons--but don't allow it into the handle/ferrule area.
X Acetone is available in gallons at most building supply and paint stores.
X Store it with the care you would give any flammable in your studio.
Lacking the acetone you can also use MEK or Naphtha same medical family
same degree of cutting power; acetone is generally used to desolve
epoxy resins, will not cut acrylic lacquers with the same results.
Kephart
Starr
>Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
>RUBBING ALCHOHOL
And since I've been snookered into broaching that subject,
rubbing alchohol is one of the few safe solvents for softening
and removing dried acrylic paint. I use it for cleaning my
plateglass palette of dried acrylic similar to the use of
acetone for cleaning dried oil paints. That's ISOPROPYL
and NOT denatured alchohol I am referring to.
Starr
>>I quote from HEALTH HAZARDS MANUAL FOR ARTISTS,
>>author: Michael McCann, Ph.D.
> What year is that health manual?
>Andy
HEALTH HAZARDS MANUAL FOR ARTISTS, 4TH ED.
(book reviews).
Anderson, Kent
School Arts.
Feb 1995, v94, n6, p64(1)
COPYRIGHT Davis Publications Inc. 1995
Michael McCann. NY: Lyons and Burford Publishers, 1994. Illus., 128
pp., paperback, $11.95.
This new edition discusses how to safely use materials in painting,
photography, ceramics, printmaking, woodworking, textiles, metals and
other studio areas. There is also a critical section on the safety of
children working with art materials. Every practicing artist and art
teacher should have this book. It is an important reference that should
be in every studio, art room and library.
Wray Kephart
X In article <40g78i$k...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu> twi...@star.com (Starr) writes:
X >In article <ceicher-1108...@s125.netins.net>, cei...@netins.net says...
X >>> It is safer than most other solvents from
X >>> the standpoint of toxicity.
X >>Excuse me? SAFER???
X >
X >I quote from HEALTH HAZARDS MANUAL FOR ARTISTS,
X >author: Michael McCann, Ph.D.
X >
X >Solvents, Acids, Alkalis--(Ketones, page six)--in the discussion of a
X >number of different solvents used in studio art.
X > "Acetone is one of the safest solvents (except for its high
X >flammability) and does not seem to have any lasting effects."
X As I noted, Acetone has the ability to carry objects(such as small amounts of
X pigment, dirt, oils, inks, etc...) under the skin. This makes Acetone an
X extremely hazardous item not in and of itself, but depending entirely on what
X you work with. What year is that health manual?
1963 Merck Manual; Acetone is safe; just a little kidney and liver
damage reported in rats, avoid inhaling vapors too much; though not
fatal, fumes may cause long term destruction of respiratory systems.
Kephart
Geoffrey T. Falk
> Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
> humans for ages and used as a disenfectant too !!! NOT ONLY
> THAT, acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the
> normal chemistry of bodily processes. See the following excerpted
> from encyclopedia:
Just because acetone can be derived from a safe substance does not mean that it
is still a safe substance.
Acetone is one of many toxic compounds which may be produced in the liver as a
result of the breakdown of other substances (in particular, unless I am
mistaken, alcohol). The kidneys then excrete it from the body as quickly as
possible.
Although it is important to take precautions when dealing with these chemicals,
if you breathe in a little bit of acetone vapour once in a while by accident,
it is not going to kill you. Your body can deal with it. However, habitual
careless exposure could definitely be harmful.
g.
Charles Eicher
Kephart) wrote:
> on 11 Aug 1995 18:46:34 GMT Starr (twi...@star.com) posted:
> X In article <40g78i$k...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>, twi...@star.com says...
>
> X Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
> X RUBBING ALCHOHOL has been liberally applied to bodies of
> X humans for ages and used as a disenfectant too !!! NOT ONLY
> X THAT, acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the
> X normal chemistry of bodily processes. See the following excerpted
> X from encyclopedia:
>
> Thats a misrepresentation; the body manufactures many toxic compounds but
> in tiny volumes <.00002 ml/kg> in order to process normal cell functions;
> absorbtion ratios via nasel cavities or cuticles is not part of the
> overall synthethis. Causes me to wonder how many nail enamel users
> of nail polish remover fully understand potencial manicure hazards.
For that matter, prolonged alcohol consumption has the same debilitating
effect on your liver as acetone inhalation. Not surprising, is it,
considering that "acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the normal
chemistry of bodily processes" such as alcohol metabolysis (which I'm not
so sure is true, so I'm going to look it up myself)..
Wray Kephart
X In article <40g78i$k...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>, twi...@star.com says...
X Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
X RUBBING ALCHOHOL has been liberally applied to bodies of
X humans for ages and used as a disenfectant too !!! NOT ONLY
X THAT, acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the
X normal chemistry of bodily processes. See the following excerpted
X from encyclopedia:
Thats a misrepresentation; the body manufactures many toxic compounds but
in tiny volumes <.00002 ml/kg> in order to process normal cell functions;
absorbtion ratios via nasel cavities or cuticles is not part of the
overall synthethis. Causes me to wonder how many nail enamel users
of nail polish remover fully understand potencial manicure hazards.
Kephart
Starr
>For that matter, prolonged alcohol consumption has the same debilitating
>effect on your liver as acetone inhalation.
DO YOU EVER USE RUBBING ALCOHOL IN YOUR HOME ?
I decided to check out the MSDS for rubbing alcohol. Here is what
I found. So, everyone be sure and put on your respirator, rubber
gloves, ventilator fan, skin barrier creams, and copious amounts
of water before you open that bottle in the bathroom medicine
cabinet. And NOTE- IT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN, SO DON'T
RUB RUBBING ALCOHOL ON YOUR SKIN !!
And please note that the MSDS describes the alcohol as an:
ODORLESS LIQUID. So next time you open that
bottle, and think it has a strong smell, remember that it doesn't.
It's just playing tricks on your snozzle.
Your search: ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
===MSDS============================================
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION --------------LABEL PRECAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Keep away from sources of ignition. no smoking.
In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water
and seek medical advice.
Wear suitable protective clothing.
Target organ(s): nerves, kidneys
SECTION 4. ----------------- FIRST AID MEASURES ------------------
In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of
water for at least 15 minutes.
Assure adequate flushing of the eyes by separating the eyelids with
fingers.
In case of contact, immediately wash skin with soap and copious
amounts of water.
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial
respiration.
If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious.
Call a physician.
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly.
SECTION 5. ---------------- FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES ---------------
Extinguishing media: carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or
appropriate foam.
Special fire fighting procedures: wear self-contained breathing
apparatus and protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and
eyes.
Use water spray to cool fire-exposed containers.
Flammable liquid. Unusual fire and explosion hazards. Vapor may
travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back.
Container explosion may occur under fire conditions.
SECTION 6. ------------- ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES --------
-
Shut off all sources of ignition.
Evacuate area.
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber boots and heavy
rubber gloves.
Absorb on sand or vermiculite and place in closed containers for
disposal.
Nonsparking tools.
Ventilate area and wash spill site after material pickup is complete.
SECTION 7. --------------- HANDLING AND STORAGE ------------------
refer to section 8.
SECTION 8. ------------ EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL
PROTECTION
Chemical safety goggles.
Safety shower and eye bath.
Rubber gloves.
Mechanical exhaust required.
NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator.
Do not get in eyes, on skin, on clothing.
Do not breathe vapor.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Severe eye irritant. Keep tightly closed.
Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame.
Store in a cool dry place.
SECTION 9. ------------- PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES -
-------
Appearance and odor: odorless liquid.
Physical properties: boiling pt: 82.4 cmelting pt: -89.5 c flash point: 53
f
explosion limits in air: lower: 2.5% upper: 12% autoignition
temperature: 860 f
vapor pressure: 33mm 20 c44mm 25c specific gravity: 0.785 vapor
density: 2.1
solubility: water-soluble, ethanol-soluble, ether-soluble
SECTION 10. -------------- STABILITY AND REACTIVITY ---------------
Incompatabilities oxidizing agents acids acid anhydrides halogens
aluminum.
Hazardous combustion or decomposition products.
Toxic fumes of: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
SECTION 11. -------------- TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION -----------
---
Acute effects may be harmful by inhalation, ingestion, or skin
absorption. causes severe eye irritation causes skin irritation.
Material is irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Can cause cns depression.
Prolonged exposure can cause: nausea, headache and vomiting
Narcotic effect
Prolonged or repeated exposure to skin causes defatting and
dermatitis.
Chronic effects target organ(s): nerves kidneys rtecs no:
nt8050000 isopropyl alcohol
Target organ data: behavioral (hallucinations, distorted perceptions),
cardiac (pulse rate decreased with fall in bp), vascular (bp lowering not
characterized in autonomic section) gastrointestinal (nausea or
vomiting)
Effects on embryo or fetus (fetal death).
SECTION 12. ------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION ------------
-
data not yet available
SECTION 13. ------------------ DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS -----------
-
burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and
scrubber but exert extra care in igniting as this material is highly
flammable.
SECTION 14. ----------------- TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION -----
--
________________________________________________________
Enuff's enuff already. I quit. Happy narcosis to one and all.
Billing, Starr © 1995
Andy Pearlman
>In article <ceicher-1308...@s125.netins.net>, cei...@netins.net says...
>>For that matter, prolonged alcohol consumption has the same debilitating
>>effect on your liver as acetone inhalation.
>
>DO YOU EVER USE RUBBING ALCOHOL IN YOUR HOME ?
>
>I decided to check out the MSDS for rubbing alcohol. Here is what
>I found. So, everyone be sure and put on your respirator, rubber
>gloves, ventilator fan, skin barrier creams, and copious amounts
>of water before you open that bottle in the bathroom medicine
>cabinet. And NOTE- IT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN, SO DON'T
>RUB RUBBING ALCOHOL ON YOUR SKIN !!
Most people don't use rubbing alcohol in the same way you are advocating using
acetone. And as for acetone being a derivative of alcohol, well, you know why
you don't mix ammonia and bleach, right? If they're no longer the same
molecule, it doesn't matter what the source molecules are.
Andy
--
Andy Pearlman - artwork at http://tsb.weschke.com/iiw/gallery/pearlman_a.html
apea...@panix.com
Charles Eicher
> In article <ceicher-1308...@s125.netins.net>,
cei...@netins.net says...
>
> >For that matter, prolonged alcohol consumption has the same debilitating
> >effect on your liver as acetone inhalation.
>
> DO YOU EVER USE RUBBING ALCOHOL IN YOUR HOME ?
FYI, since you seem to be a bit confused on this topic, rubbing alcohol is
not the same thing as grain alcohol. Drinking isopropyl alcohol will kill
you really quick. Drinking grain alcohol will make you really drunk and
kill you gradually if you overindulge.
> I decided to check out the MSDS for rubbing alcohol.
FYI, Rubbing alcohol is a solution of 92% isopropyl alcohol, and 8% water.
Your MSDS only mentions Isopropyl, not the conventional 92% solution.
Isopropyl has a substantially lower volatility than acetone, the 8% water
lowers the volatility even more. I don't see how this particular chemical
has any relevance to the acetone situation.
>...And NOTE- IT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN, SO DON'T
> RUB RUBBING ALCOHOL ON YOUR SKIN !!
Yep, isopropyl will dry out your skin, but it won't pass through your skin
like acetone. But note that the MSDS primarily warns against contact with
mucous membranes like the eyes (splash hazard) where it WILL enter your
body easily. If you get isopropyl into your bloodstream, (i.e. getting it
into your eyes, or ingesting it) it will have fairly severe effects. But
you're not going to inhale as much isopropyl just from evaporation as you
would acetone.
> And please note that the MSDS describes the alcohol as an:
> ODORLESS LIQUID. So next time you open that
> bottle, and think it has a strong smell, remember that it doesn't.
> It's just playing tricks on your snozzle.
Hmm.. the last time I used a bottle of reagent grade 100% isopropyl
alcohol, it was virtually odorless. The cheap stuff you find in the
drugstore has impurities which cause the odor, I believe you can even find
traces of turpentine in cheap rubbing alcohol.
> ________________________________________________________
> Enuff's enuff already. I quit. Happy narcosis to one and all.
good idea. I was a Chem major before I was an art major. I'll whip your
butt in chemistry knowledge every time.
While you may not take these matters so seriously, I remember a time in
the mid 1970s when plastics and fiberglass were the hot new art form. Then
suddenly, the top 4 or 5 practitioners were no longer producing new work,
and the genre died overnight. These artists all died within about a year
of each other from liver cancer and other toxic side-effects, from working
with chemicals like tolulene and acetone. And that was from only about a
couple of years of exposure.
William Smith
DO YOU EVER USE RUBBING ALCOHOL IN YOUR HOME ?
I decided to check out the MSDS for rubbing alcohol. Here is what
I found. So, everyone be sure and put on your respirator, rubber
gloves, ventilator fan, skin barrier creams, and copious amounts
of water before you open that bottle in the bathroom medicine
cabinet. And NOTE- IT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN, SO DON'T
RUB RUBBING ALCOHOL ON YOUR SKIN !!
And please note that the MSDS describes the alcohol as an:
ODORLESS LIQUID. So next time you open that
bottle, and think it has a strong smell, remember that it doesn't.
It's just playing tricks on your snozzle.<
--------------------------------------------
The MSDS you are refering to is for Isopropyl alcohol which is a
component of rubbing alcohol, 70% usually. If you used 100%
isopropyl alcohol on your skin you would no doubt irritate the skin.
What is your point by the way, that the MSDS is wrong? I believe you
have passed on enough information that one can make their own decision
to use or not to use acetone in painting. Shell we go to something else?
william
gree...@designlink.com
--
Sent from Designlink, San Francisco. Design, Graphics, Photo, Portfolios Online. Modem: (510) 933-9676. Voice: 930-6746
WEB: http://www.designlink.com
Charles Eicher
Kephart) wrote:
> Lacking the acetone you can also use MEK or Naphtha same medical family
> same degree of cutting power; acetone is generally used to desolve
> epoxy resins, will not cut acrylic lacquers with the same results.
I think I'd stay away from MEK and naptha too.. they're both nasty
chemicals. Methyl ethyl ketone is just as bad as acetone if not worse.
I don't understand why anyone needs such nasty solvents if they're not
required for some printmaking process or some other process where there
isn't a substitute. If you just keep your brushes clean in the first place
(where this whole thread started) then you don't need nasty solvents to
dissolve what you were supposed to get out with turps and soap. If I ever
had a brush that was so gunked up that I needed acetone or MEK to clean
it, I'd just go buy another brush.
Wray Kephart
X In article <DD9yz...@crash.cts.com>, kep...@crash.cts.com (Wray
X Kephart) wrote:
X > on 11 Aug 1995 18:46:34 GMT Starr (twi...@star.com) posted:
X > X In article <40g78i$k...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>, twi...@star.com says...
X >
X > X Yes, SAFER !!! Acetone is a derivative of RUBBING ALCHOHOL.
X > X RUBBING ALCHOHOL has been liberally applied to bodies of
X > X humans for ages and used as a disenfectant too !!! NOT ONLY
X > X THAT, acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the
X > X normal chemistry of bodily processes. See the following excerpted
X > X from encyclopedia:
X >
X > Thats a misrepresentation; the body manufactures many toxic compounds but
X > in tiny volumes <.00002 ml/kg> in order to process normal cell functions;
X > absorbtion ratios via nasel cavities or cuticles is not part of the
X > overall synthethis. Causes me to wonder how many nail enamel users
X > of nail polish remover fully understand potencial manicure hazards.
X For that matter, prolonged alcohol consumption has the same debilitating
X effect on your liver as acetone inhalation. Not surprising, is it,
X considering that "acetone is MANUFACTURED by human beings in the normal
X chemistry of bodily processes" such as alcohol metabolysis (which I'm not
X so sure is true, so I'm going to look it up myself)..
Ethanol is produced in *trace* amounts in the small intestine; acetaldehyde
is the intermediate byproduct of alchohol metabolism. Liver enzymes
break it down into acetate which is then removed via the kidneys.
Kephart
sl...@cc.usu.edu
> In article <DD5J8...@crash.cts.com>, kep...@crash.cts.com (Wray
> Kephart) wrote:
[clip, acetone - yuck, MEK - yuck, naptha -yuck]
> I don't understand why anyone needs such nasty solvents if they're not
> required for some printmaking process or some other process where there
> isn't a substitute. If you just keep your brushes clean in the first place
> (where this whole thread started) then you don't need nasty solvents to
> dissolve what you were supposed to get out with turps and soap. If I ever
> had a brush that was so gunked up that I needed acetone or MEK to clean
> it, I'd just go buy another brush.
I agree with Eicher on this one. the easiest simplest least damaging way
to protect and care for brushes is to clean them with plain soap
right away. there are plenty of special brush soaps around to, that
are supposed to "condition" the fibers as well, though in my experience
they don't seem to work much better than plain white soap with warm water.
Quite a few of my brushes are well over eight years old now.
which has been very cost effective.
I remember how badly I gunked up my first brushes though... paint all
deep in the ferrules, left in water or turps overnight, beat to death
bristles... since then I learned how not to do all that and still get
the aggressive painting techniques I wanted. Mostly just a matter of
letting the brush do more work for me instead of forcing it, and learning
to mix paints with a knife not a brush, except for really tiny quantities.
Greg Scheckler
SL...@cc.usu.edu
Charles Eicher
Kephart) wrote:
> 1963 Merck Manual; Acetone is safe;
Yep, in 1963, DDT was generally regarded as safe.
The research indicating higher toxicity of acetone is relatively recent, I
seem to recall it coming out within the last 5-10 years. A good example
was when I first took chem in college.. the professor told us how he
always washed his hands with acetone, several times a day, to remove any
residue from toxics he might have stumbled on. Of course, he took chem in
the '50s, when the motto was 'better living through chemistry'.. We were
all appalled at the acetone hand wash, and none of us would do it.
I had a girlfriend a few years back who did printmaking in a studio that
used a lot of volatile solvents. I'm not sure what they used, because the
stuff was all unlabeled, but I tried my darnest to find out what kinda
crap she was breathing. I'm still not sure what's in 'Lithotene', but that
was the only bottle that had a label (handwritten) on it. I'm pretty sure
it had acetone in it. God only knows where the printers got the stuff (I
think they mixed it themselves). She got a (supposedly) vapor-proof
respirator and always wore rubber gloves, but even with that, from all the
fumes she breathed in, her breath smelled like she'd been drinking vodka,
even a couple of hours after she left the shop (yes, I know for certain
that she wasn't drinking). As far as I could tell, the decomposition
byproducts of whatever she was breathing was partly breaking down into
alcohol, so you could smell it on her breath. She always had CNS problems,
like night sweats and insomnia, she even had a doctor diagnose anemia (not
too acute fortunately).. Luckily, she found a studio to work at where they
used only water-soluble printmaking processes, and after a few days of
getting the chems out of her system, she got her health back, and the
symptoms went away.
Starr
>Mostly just a matter of
>letting the brush do more work for me instead of forcing it, and learning
>to mix paints with a knife not a brush, except for really tiny quantities.
________________________________________________________
I never use anything sharper than a palette knife in my studio.
I never use anything more toxic than dihydrogen oxide in my studio.
Billing, Starr © 1995
Wray Kephart
X In article <DD7qJ...@crash.cts.com>, kep...@crash.cts.com (Wray
X Kephart) wrote:
X > 1963 Merck Manual; Acetone is safe;
X Yep, in 1963, DDT was generally regarded as safe.
X I'm still not sure what's in 'Lithotene', but that
X was the only bottle that had a label (handwritten) on it. I'm pretty sure
X it had acetone in it. God only knows where the printers got the stuff (I
X think they mixed it themselves). She got a (supposedly) vapor-proof
X respirator and always wore rubber gloves, but even with that, from all the
X fumes she breathed in, her breath smelled like she'd been drinking vodka,
It sounds like she was experiencing ketonemia or excessive concentration
of ketone bodies in her blood. Ketones are responsible for the 'alcoholic'
smell on the breath. Problem drinkers experience same phenomenon due to
a toxic buildup of acetaldehyde <ketone body> in their bloodstreams.
<The liver is not able to break the acetaldehyde down into acetate fast
enough to metabolize it>. The metabolizing must be very similar.
X even a couple of hours after she left the shop (yes, I know for certain
X that she wasn't drinking). As far as I could tell, the decomposition
X byproducts of whatever she was breathing was partly breaking down into
X alcohol, so you could smell it on her breath.
The metabolysis must be very similar; but as you cannot drink acetone
without poisening yourself it must be harder or impossible to break
it down <fatally toxic>.
X She always had CNS problems, like night sweats and insomnia,
This is typical after achieving toxic levels of acetaldehyde in the
body. Im surprised she didnt suffer the DTs when she moved to another
studio.
Kephart
Neil McAllister
Charles Eicher <cei...@netins.net> wrote:
>I don't understand why anyone needs such nasty solvents if they're not
>required for some printmaking process or some other process where there
>isn't a substitute. If you just keep your brushes clean in the first place
>(where this whole thread started) then you don't need nasty solvents to
>dissolve what you were supposed to get out with turps and soap. If I ever
>had a brush that was so gunked up that I needed acetone or MEK to clean
>it, I'd just go buy another brush.
Hate to say it, but turpentine is a pretty nasty solvent in and of
itself -- one of the few in common use in oil painting which may be
absorbed directly through the skin. Myself, I'm interested in
new-technology solvents made from old-technology things: like citrus
oils and soybeans. Very promising stuff, from a toxicity to
effectiveness standpoint.
--
Neil McAllister (pc...@netcom.com) | Santa Cruz, California, USA
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."
-- Ben Kenobi
Steve Shimer
terp? For that matter while I am here, How much terp to oil do people
use? In raito, I mean.
Steve
Wray Kephart
X Hate to say it, but turpentine is a pretty nasty solvent in and of
X itself -- one of the few in common use in oil painting which may be
X absorbed directly through the skin.
But will it pass the blood/brain barrier?
X Myself, I'm interested in
X new-technology solvents made from old-technology things: like citrus
X oils and soybeans. Very promising stuff, from a toxicity to
X effectiveness standpoint.
Would you need new technology paint to go along with the new solvents,
as resin base reducers are usually of similar if not identical chem
structures. Like to hear more about them if you have any further infor-
mation.
Kephart