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Leo Frilot

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BLO Safety
Mar 21^st, 2008 at 1:20pm

Since there's been a lot of talk about Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO), I thought I would start this thread to discuss the safety aspects. I have been using it a lot lately and have heard some of the horror stories in regards to not disposing the soaked cloths correctly.

Quote from the can: BLO generates heat as it dries, which can cause spontaneous combustion of materials contacted by this product. Oily rags, waste, and other oily materials contacted by BLO
can cause spontaneous combustion fires
if not handled properly. Immediately after use and before disposal or storage, you MUST (1) Spread out all oily materials outside to dry by flattening them out to their full size in an airy spot for at least 24 hours at temperatures above 40 degrees F until completely dry; or (2) Wash them thoroughly with water and detergent and rinse. Repeat washing and rinsing until you have removed all oil from cloths, tools, rags, paper, clothing, tutus, mops and any other materials contacted during use or as a result of an accidental spill. Make certain that all wash and rinse water is disposed of down sink drain.

Now, is this overkill? I don't want to find out, but I do respect this caution and practice it regularly.

Has anyone ever had a spontaneous fire as a result of BLO? If so, what were the conditions?

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Mike Davis

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Re: BLO Safety
Reply #1 - Mar 21^st, 2008 at 3:27pm

Leo,
No this is not over kill! One of my contractor friends burned up a trailer with oily rags. One of my neighbors burned up his garage, one burned his redwood deck up, and a guy across town burned up his house( started in the garage). Had a trash truck go up in flames from oily rags.
Be very carefull with any petroleum based products. I take the rags outside and lay them out flat for a few days. Then soak in water and throw in trash.
Mike

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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,675 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: BLO Safety Reply #2 - Mar 21^st, 2008 at 4:05pm Yes it is true. IMOF, it's true for all types of oil finishes. I have a fire proof waste can for my oily rags Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Rev. Doug Miller

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Re: BLO Safety
Reply #3 - Mar 21^st, 2008 at 4:22pm

Long ago I got into the habit of taking my oily rags and laying them out flat, usually on the concrete floor. The next day they would have dried out and can be tossed into the trash with safety. Still lay them out to dry, but I'm not as careful about where I lay them out. On top of a plastic garbage can is the usual location. Regardless, you do need to lay the contaminated rags out flat and allow them to dry completely so that they can then be disposed of safely.
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JimQuarles

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Re: BLO Safety
Reply #4 - Mar 21^st, 2008 at 11:28pm

I generally hang rags with a spring clip on the chain link fence about 5 feet from the house to dry. Just don't use a wooden fence, a neighbor burned up 12 feet of cedar stockade fence back in NJ with a BLO soaked rag. I have also heard of pieces of wood igniting when there is a surplus of BLO left on it. So drying finished pieces should be set on a nonflamable surface with nothing flamable just above.

JimQ

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Tom Davis WR Addict Offline I get jokes Posts: 1,165 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #5 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 9:56am I found it interesting that you included Tutu's in your post. I try and put all of my used rags and paper towels out side with some weight on them until they can dry and then put them in the trash.
Back to top	LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION OF ARRIVING SAFELY IN A PRETTY, WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING WOW WHAT A RIDE IP Logged

JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #6 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 11:15am That just reflects how sloppy he is with his finishing. JimQ
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

Chuck Beland WR Addict Offline I got my eyes on you. Posts: 12,873 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #7 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 4:43pm I usually put them in a zip lock bag filled with water
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Tom Davis WR Addict Offline I get jokes Posts: 1,165 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #8 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 6:44pm Chuck Beland wrote on Mar 24^th, 2008 at 4:43pm: I usually put them in a zip lock bag filled with water Must be one of the big bags to fit your Tutu in ya think.
Back to top	LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION OF ARRIVING SAFELY IN A PRETTY, WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING WOW WHAT A RIDE IP Logged

Mike Baber WR Addict WR Supporter Offline When all else fails, ask someone who knows! Posts: 5,969 Cross Hill South Carolina USA Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #9 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 8:29pm This is all good to know, even though I don't use BLO right now, I may someday give it a try... Thanks Leo and the rest of you for the safety tip!!!
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Leo Frilot WR Addict Offline When the going gets tough, get a bigger gouge!!! Posts: 2,848 Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana USA Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #10 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 8:32pm Yep, I put that in the descrption just to see if you were reading the whole post. Good job Bubba. You win the prize.
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Tony Wheeler WR Addict Offline Posts: 662 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #11 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 8:35pm guess Ive been lucky I have always just thrown them in the trash i gues that metal can with the flip lid that says rags on it should be for used rags not clean ones
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dilligaf4221 Active Member Offline Pro Firewood Crafter... Posts: 195 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #12 - Mar 24^th, 2008 at 8:43pm Mine usually go in the fire pit outside. Figure if its going to catch on fire it may as well be somewhere safer than in the house.
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Chuck Beland WR Addict Offline I got my eyes on you. Posts: 12,873 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #13 - Mar 25^th, 2008 at 3:18am Tom Davis wrote on Mar 24^th, 2008 at 6:44pm: Chuck Beland wrote on Mar 24^th, 2008 at 4:43pm: I usually put them in a zip lock bag filled with water Must be one of the big bags to fit your Tutu in ya think. Leo, has the Tutu's I have the forum hats
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Tom Davis WR Addict Offline I get jokes Posts: 1,165 Gender:	Re: BLO Safety Reply #14 - Mar 25^th, 2008 at 4:39pm Leo Frilot wrote on Mar 24^th, 2008 at 8:32pm: Yep, I put that in the descrption just to see if you were reading the whole post. Good job Bubba. You win the prize. Wow, so is it mud bugs or a big old chunk of wood. Ill take some of each.
Back to top	LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION OF ARRIVING SAFELY IN A PRETTY, WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING WOW WHAT A RIDE IP Logged