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Glass Flagg
AGG member
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Mon Dec 17th, 2007 12:23 pm |
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Hi Everyone,
I've been working on some lamps and seem to have an issue getting off the flux. I've used a combo of dishwasher and tough cleaners but I can still smell and sometimes feel the "Chicken."
Any suggestions of getting the 'Chicken off?
Thanks, Tim
http://www.glassflagg.com
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mmezalick
AGG member
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 12:43 am |
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Oleic acid is a fatty acid found in animal and vegetable oils. It is called a mono-unsaturated fatty acid because of the single double bond between the carbons.
Oleic acid occurs naturally in greater quantities than any other fatty acid. It is present as glycerides in most fats and oils. High concentrations of Oleic acid can lower blood levels of cholesterol. It is used in the food industry to make synthetic butters and cheeses. It is also used to flavor baked goods, candy, ice cream, and sodas.
Oleic acid is also present in the cocoa butter of chocolate.
You may find various butter and egg substitutes made with high levels of oleic acid.
For what you are going to clean I would suggest something as simple as dish washing liquid. Dawn dish washing liquid might be a good product to try.
Michael
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Adam
AGG member
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Tue Dec 18th, 2007 01:56 am |
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Try a dish washing liquid with a de greasing agent in it. Or Switch fluxes.
Adam
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artfem
Administrator
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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2007 01:46 pm |
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Tim:
Above suggestions are good. If your lamp still smells or feels like a chicken, wash it with isopropyl alcohol (or cheap Vodka if you are on the wagon). Best to do this in a well ventilated area. Oleic acid does not dissolve in water (addition of detergent may help, but will not fully dissolve oleic acid). It does readily dissolve in alcohol. Then wash as directed above with water and a detergent.
I assume you are making a coper foil lamp. If so, you might want to try a zinc chloride based flux or one of the many "wonder" fluxes avaialble on the market today that will readily wash off with detergent and water. Zinc chloride will put off some nasty fumes, but I am an old timer and I am not familiar with the new fluxes.
Another trick with lamps that you may already know, once the lamp is tacked together, I used to solder the interior while rolling it on a wet towel. The solder would "freeze" when it hit the towel and not drop through. I then put the wet towel on the mold and finish soldered the exterior surface. I set up a rig that allowed me to roate the lamp and keep the surface currently being solderd in a flat plane.
Art Femenella
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joseph2bears
AGG member
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Tue Dec 18th, 2007 04:03 pm |
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Hi Tim. There is one more option, and that is a degreaser. Smart & Final sells a gallon jug of concentrated degreaser for about $10. Restaraunts use this stuff diluted for cleaning grill hoods and back splashes. Fire salvage companies use it full strength to clean smoked items, since smoke is grease based. This stuff works! The only degreaser more powerful (and dangerous) is MEK. (Methylethylketone)
If you try the degreaser, be sure to wear rubber gloves. This stuff, even diluted, will strip all the oils from your skin and really chap your hide.
--Joseph 2bears
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Adam
AGG member
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Posted: Wed Dec 19th, 2007 03:02 am |
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Definetly wear gloves and ventilate if you use commercial degreaser. I worked in a deli during my college years and i made the discovery that the commercial degreaser strips floors better than floor stripper. They looked so bright and clean that we mopped with it everynight. Then we noticed that it kind of slowly ate away at the soles of my shoes over a period of time. I liked Art's suggestion of a wet towel and could Tim also use mineral spirits or odourless turps to wipe the lamp down with?
Adam
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Krueger
Director
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Fri Dec 21st, 2007 01:48 am |
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Another thought to remove the flux residue (other than changng flux) is to take a slightly damp paper towel, dip it in whiting, and wipe down the solder lines. Wear a dust mask and have a roll of paper towels, but this will also work.
Barbara in Michigan
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