In that order.
Received a parts washer for Christmas, dumped a load of Kero into it, and it washes parts for my mini, and works a treat, best thing since sliced bread.
I have now however, developed itchy lumps and bits of a rash. I am hoping its only the antibiotics I stopped taking, but I suspect its the Kero as every time I use the parts washer, one of the "family" comes down to the garage and shuts the door, claiming I am stinking up the house with the smell. (I can't really smell it).
I do use gloves but most dont last very long either dissolving or leaking in a very short space of time.
What I was wondering has anyone else encountered this problem and how did you solve it? What solvents do you use to clean parts? Are there more "people friendly" cleaners that you use and how effective are they?
Dino.

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Over 1,000,000Km, but now my retirement restoration project

dino i use kenco degreaser 3 5 litre bottles and with it two parts water to every bottle works a treat although i think i could have waterd it down a little more
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

I use diesel in mine- washes good, doesn't evaporate, less flammable than kero. Oh and it doesn't give me dermatitis on my fingers, like petrol and kero do.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I use deisel as per Doc's advice to soak and clean parts. Over the weekend I used it extensively to clean out my gb casing and even though it stinks, i have had no alergic reactions? it's pretty good stuff too and doesn't evaporate: "Where's my $20 worth of petrol??"

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I use kero in a bucket. Yep....sure stinks the house out here too!!

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Website: www.justanothermini.com

Try without the gloves. They put like a talc powder inside them so your hand goes in easier, if it's not that it's desintergrating rubber/ latex.
The other suggestions are all good too.

I also used diesel in my parts washer until i did start to get blistering on my hands so it proves not all people are the same.

I am now using degreaser but havn't changed out the diesel in the parts washer as yet. Sheer laziness but I got a petrol driven karcher shortly before xmas and the hand gentle degreaser plus the karcher works a treat..

been using degreaser too. kero gives me dermatitis bad.

try vinyl gloves instead of latex - they don't seem to disintergrate as quickly.

if you want the best degreaser type solvent - use white spirits. it is what bearing manufacturers tell you to use to wash the old grease out of bearings. but it will REALLY stink the house out, and has all sorts of nasty aromatics, so carbon filter masks are a must when using it.

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

I often get light headed after a few minutes of "washing"

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

whatyou talking about chong yer always light headed lol
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

What sort of gloves are you using?

People can have an allergy to Latex which gives symptoms not unlike what you describe - maybe this is what is causing it.
I second the "try it without gloves" message or investiagte what type of gloves you have got.
As I work in the food industry and my work is specialised in allergens, I can give you a few pairs of non-latex gloves to try if you think that is the problem.

The problem also with any sort of solvent (Diesel included) is that they strip some of the essential oils out of your hands (skin) each time you use them which dries out your skin and can also cause some dermatological problems. I would also suggest you try some moisturiser after doing such work - there are some blokey industrial types, you don't have to raid your wife's Avon.

Regards
KB

Or even better, some barrier cream before you start

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Thanks for the suggestions guys,
I have used store bought latex gloves and they dissolve. Have used vinyl from work, they seem to go "stiff" then leak. Have looked up the ansell site and will try their recommended nitrile rubber "Sol-vex" glove ( though I don't know where to get their no-latex "Eco-green" yet). Just need to get some from RS components tomorrow. The itchy lumps are not restricted to the hands though, seems wherever the kero could splash is fair game, even through the clothing.
Has anyone tried the stuff thats extracted from orange skins?
This is frustrating, just when I get some serious "toys" to do some serious modifications and get really keen then "bang"! or in my case, *scratch*

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Over 1,000,000Km, but now my retirement restoration project

Ummmm, fill it with molasis or vinegar? Maybe that won't react.

Vinegar will eat the parts washer. Here is a trick, take a milo tin (just like the ones on a ricers exhaust) half fill the milo tin with vinegar and leave it overnight......... Oh yeah, stick it in a plastic bucket before you leave it overnight.

I use the red chemical gloves for washing parts in a parts washer. They are the rubber looking gloves that come half way to the elbow.