WELDING and USING BRAKE CLEANER!! READ THIS!! - Lateral-g Forums

SickSpeedMonte · #1 07-28-2009, 12:12 PM

I did a search for the link and it didn't come up, so I figured I'd post this.

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

shiro666 · #2 07-28-2009, 12:22 PM

Woah! Thanks for the heads up.

That is terrifying!

Blake Foster · #3 07-28-2009, 05:06 PM

WE had a simular issue in that if someone was tig welding and even using brakeclean accross the shop the fumes were really bad!!! like 50 feet away, and we had to clear out the shop, since then we have changed to the enviro brake clean and the problem is gone, NEVER clean metal parts with any chemical cleaner prior to welding is now the rule.

**GregWeld** · #4 07-28-2009, 05:26 PM

I just sent this article to my entire car club --- Northwest Classic Chevy Club --- thanks for this heads up!! I use brake cleaner for almost everything around my home shop -- and ALWAYS have cleaned metal prior to welding with the stuff!! I can tell you that practice has ceased as of right now!!

Aschle · #5 07-28-2009, 09:28 PM

Thank you for potentially saving one of our lives by passing this on !!!

Jason

70rs · #6 07-28-2009, 09:36 PM

Thank you for posting this. I have done this in the past and I guess been VERY lucky! Change in proceedure as of right now!
I hope the word gets out quickly, thanks again!

ProTouring442 · #7 07-30-2009, 05:43 AM

Here is the link to the CDC's "Facts about Phosgene" page. Many of the symptoms "Brew Dude" had do not seem to be a result of his exposure to Phosgene, so I question his assertions about them. Nonetheless, we need to remember to be cautious!

CDC Page: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/phosgene/basics/facts.asp

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

**GregWeld** · #8 07-30-2009, 06:56 AM

After reading the CDC info (thanks for that link!) it seems to me that it's not just a brake cleaner issue --- but a CHLORINE and Welding (high heat) problem.... I didn't find any info relating to just the chemicals in Brake Cleaner and nothing mentioned about Argon gas. So for me, at least, I'm not going to just discontinue the use of brake cleaner - but any product with chlorine in it.

I'll hit AirGas supply today and ask them what they know - if anything - about this bad combo. Would be interesting to see if the sales people there have any warnings to add.

brian mc · #9 07-30-2009, 03:36 PM

I heard something similar about WD-40 that it turns into a poisonis gas when exposed to high heat like welding or torching, i didn't research it, just heard it from an old-timer who worked in a shipyard....

Patrick · #10 07-30-2009, 07:18 PM

Wow....that is F'ing scary. I use brake clean all the time. Thank you for posting this article.