Why is kerosine bad?

2

2k2blackWRX

New member
Ok guys, I got stumped the other night.



I was talking to a friend of my dads about detailing because he has an old Dodge Challenger which he likes to keep good looking and he started talkign abour using kerosine on the paint. I told him it was bad for the paint but I could not produce results as to why it was bad.



We had some good talks and it ended up after talking to him I found out a car wash/detailing shop is hiring for about 11 bucks an hour so I might go check it out. I am miserable with my job right now and I would love to have a job with self gratification and good hours before I head off to college.



ps. I plan on openeing up a detail shop at college in Blacksburg ,VA



Bryan
 
Its bad for modern clear coats because it will clean the paint well, but will not leave any protection. After a few years from lack of protection, the clear might go into failure.



This might work on old laquer and non-clear coated cars like the old dodge, but Kerosene to clean certain spots or WD-40, then polish and seal it up well.



My 2 cents,

Jason
 
I agree with Jason.



Also, harsh solvents, like kerosene, can easily dull or weaken paint over time if left untreated. In other words, it's just not something you want to be using on the car too frequently, if at all, like any other strong solvent.
 
kerosene....hmmmm..



Would you clean your car with jet fuel? That's what kerosene is!

While many car polishes/waxes/sealants are combustible materials, kerosene is considered to be a flammable liquid...from the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook, guide #128 for Kerosene, UN# 1223...



Highly flammable: will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.



Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.



Vapors may travel to an ignition source and flash back.



Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low lying areas.



Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers....



not to mention the potential of serious environmental damge should it be spilled!
 
Gonzo0903 said:
Kerosene, UN# 1223...[/b]



Highly flammable: will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.



Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.



Vapors may travel to an ignition source and flash back.



Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low lying areas.



Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers....



not to mention the potential ofr seriuos environmental damge should it be spilled!
Click to expand...




Very enlightening. Sounds like what my comments on gasoline would be. Kerosene has been my parts cleaning agent for years, mostly because, (1) it works, (2) I didn't think it had all those bad characteristics. As usual, I was nowhere near as smart as I thought I was. Thanks for the information.



Charles
 
If anyone's really bent on using kerosene for anything other than burning, I suggest varsol instead since it's a lot safer. I had an old guy tell me he uses that all the time on his car.... :rolleyes:
 
If you use Varsol, be sure to work in a well ventilated area and wear rubber gloves. The stuff can be absorbed through your skin.



The stuff is harsh on some materials and gentle on others. It is excellent for home dry cleaning of small, delicate items (e.g. silk neckties).
 
Kerosene is not as harmful as some of you are stating. From all my research it will not harm paint of any kind. It is not a reducer or thinner it is just a solvent, and an oily one at that.



What the father may have been eluding to was a practice that "older" folk have done for years.



Unable to wash their own vehicles for whatever reason, and too cheap to take it to a carwash, or just to get exercise the old folke would/will take a rag damp with kerosene and wipe the car down with it to clean it.



Have you ever seen an older folks car? The paint is clean, but the wheels and tires filthy? That is the reason they only wipe the car down with kerosene. Been done for years.



The kerosene most likely will breakdown the wax on the car, if there was any, but it will not hurt the paint.



Most of your silicone strippers used in body shops are a various form of solvent.



Mineral spirits has a lower flash point than kerosene and it is used in solvent-based silicone dressings which are sprayed on many engines. While it could cause a flash fire the likelihood is remote.



Regards

Bud A
 
I was told by someone who used Kerosine that its an old limo quick detailing trick that makes the car shine. Put a cup of kerosine in the wash bucket and wash the car and it shines quite well. I'm not going to try it! Pertoleum products will attack the clear coat and paint over time and as stated above offers no protection at all.
 
James:



What you were told is a variation of what I mentioned.



Also, automatic carwashes used to put kerosene in the reclaim pit water to help give the car a better shine. Problem was that it caused alittle petroleum stink in the wash.



As far as hurting clear coat paint, kerosense will not harm the clear coat. As mentioned, solvents whether mineral spirits, kerosense or naptha among others, are not paint reducers. They do not breakdown enamel paint. The clear coat on the car is polyurethane enamel.



Don't you realize that all compounds; polishes and waxes/sealants contain solvents? Either mineral spirits and kerosense are some of the most common. Do you think chemical companies would include an ingredient if it harmed a paint finish?



Regards

BUDA
 
buda said:
James:



...Don't you realize that all compounds; polishes and waxes/sealants contain solvents? Either mineral spirits and kerosense are some of the most common. Do you think chemical companies would include an ingredient if it harmed a paint finish?



Regards

BUDA
Click to expand...



I guess I'm getting to be a curmudgeon, but I see no reason to believe that the chemical companines wouldn't include an ingredient that harmed paint finishes. I'm not saying they do, but if they did they could try to sell me something to fix the problem. BTW, what kind of solvents are used in modern car paints?
 
I don't think Kerosine will harm the paint at all



I was talking to my brother-in-law and he said at his deer camp everyone washes their cars with kerosine because it removes the bugs and tree sap... Wait... I don't think hunters have good looking vehilces.



I think the only thing about Kerosine is it will strip your wax. I know if your car is covered with bugs/tree sap mix a 1/2 cup of kerosine into your wash water to help take the bugs off. Hey, instead of Dawn, strip your wax with Kerosine!
 
There are many different reducers used in today's paints. It depends on the environmental conditions at the time a car is painted. For example, if you have hot dry atmosphere you use one type; if the weather is hot and humid another type; cold and wet another type.



Point is that the reducers are simply there as a carrier. That is, to enable the painter to apply the paint. When the paint is on the car then the reducers evaporate and the paint cures.



So, do not wax or seal over new paint, bottomline. If you don't believe me go on line to DuPont; Sherwin-Williams; BAF or Sikkens websites and get the information. Or, go to the local auto paint distributor in your area and get some information about paints.



Regards

BUDA
 
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