RE: [CR]Citrus Solvent

(Example: Framebuilders:Cecil Behringer)

From: "Mark Bulgier" <mark@bulgier.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Citrus Solvent
Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 14:51:30 -0700


jack taylor writes:
> The idea that citrus solvent is ecologically better than a
> petroleum based cleaner, such as kerosene, is a bit of canard.
> When you are done with kerosene, you can take it to your local
> recycling center and have it recycled. You can't do that with
> citrus solvents.
> [snip]
> When you're done with citrus solvents, you have no easy means
> of disposal.

You may be right, but the disposal issue hasn't come up for me yet. I've never had to dispose of any! I pour the clear solvent off the settled sludge and put the sludge in the garbage (which is possibly illegal). I have to add more solvent now and then because of evaporation and the little that gets thrown away with the sludge, but whatever is dissolved in the solvent I reuse doesn't seem to reduce its effectiveness. I must have 10-year old limonene molecules in my parts washer!

I have heard that solvent remaining in the rollers of the chain breaks down the chain lube, so I wash the chain thoroughly in hot water after the solvent washing, then keep it warm until it dries so it doesn't rust. Limonene is water soluble so it comes out pretty easily. I guess a small amount goes down the drain, but they sell this stuff for washing floors, sinks and bathrooms etc so I can't believe it's illegal to let any get in the sewer. You also drink a fair bit of it in a glass of orange juice.

Once again, I'm definitely not an expert on this and welcome any corrections or admonishment if I'm doing wrong.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA