Is it possible to degrease with white spirit - using the solvent in everyday life

Solvents are indispensable chemicals in industry and everyday life. With their help, you can bring technical fluids to the desired state and treat surfaces from grease and oil contaminants. One of the available solvents is white spirit, which is widely used in everyday life.

Description of the substance

Manufacturers produce petroleum solvent "Nefras S4-155/200", and white spirit is its complete analogue from a chemical point of view. An oily, transparent liquid with the smell of kerosene is used as a solvent for fatty alkyd and epoxy resins, rubbers, and is used to dilute oil varnishes.

The substance is obtained by distilling oil to light fractions with simultaneous complete dehydration. Being part of oil paints marked MA-15 and PF-115 paints, white spirit is an excellent thinner for them. The ability to degrease the surface and remove various contaminants makes the solvent a popular tool in car services for washing parts and spare parts.

The low price combined with a wide range of uses makes white spirit popular in everyday life.

Use in everyday life

The popularity of white spirit is due to the consumer properties of the substance.

Low level of inhalation toxicity compared to similar materials. Use in a ventilated area is safe for the worker.
Complete ventilation from the room within several hours after application.
The versatility of nefras allows the substance to be used for various purposes - dissolving and diluting paints, bitumen mastics and resinous materials, cleaning surfaces made of various materials from greasy and oily contaminants.
The ability to clean painting and other hand tools after work, increasing the time of their use.
Saving paints and varnishes when diluting them with white spirit due to uniform distribution.
Accelerated drying of painted surfaces.
Low price for large volumes.

In everyday life, white spirit will help you perform several useful and necessary tasks.

Application in construction work

Finishing works in which nefras is used:

diluting thickened paints, marked as PF-115 and MA-15, to the consistency required for use (the maximum proportion of added solvent should not exceed 15% of the total volume of paint);
dilution of primers to the condition necessary for application using a sprayer (in this case, a 1:1 ratio of primer and white spirit is allowed);
degreasing of various surfaces before painting work - glass, metal, painted wood, plastic, rubber are degreased with white spirit;
washing surfaces after cleaning with removers of old paint;
cleaning tools (brushes, spatulas, spray guns, paint trays) after construction work.

To prevent excessive dilution, white spirit is added in small doses. The next portion is added only after thoroughly stirring the composition.

White spirit successfully removes silicone sealant residues on various surfaces. The area of contamination is wiped with a rag soaked in solvent.After a minute, the silicone will soften to a state where it can be removed with a knife without fear of damaging or scratching the surface being cleaned.

Removing protective films

Often, the protective film from plastic windows is not removed until the renovation of the apartment is completed. If this is not done within 15-20 days, then it is almost impossible to remove the film without damaging the window frame.

In such cases, the surface is treated with white spirit. After 15-20 minutes the film comes off easily. After this, the remaining adhesive composition is removed with the same solvent.

The same method is used to remove tinting from car windows and sun protection films from windows.

Removing paint stains and bitumen mastic

Often clothes become dirty during paint and varnish work. After moistening a cotton swab with white spirit, treat the fabric. There is no need to press hard on the surface - try to remove the paint from the surface with light movements. After removing traces of dirt, wash the clothes using regular powder.

Before using any solvent, test its effect on an inconspicuous area of the fabric. The product may damage the appearance of the product, leaving discolored spots.

White spirit is used to remove traces of bitumen that can get on shoes when walking on freshly laid asphalt. Stains are removed with a cotton swab. The final wash replaces treating the shoe surface with a soap solution applied to a shoe brush.

Removing stubborn stains

Nefras is used to clean laminate, parquet, linoleum, and vinyl tiles - the product does not dissolve the surfaces of materials and the dyes used in their manufacture.

Cleanable:

blood;
paraffin;
dye;
liquid dyes;
coffee and tea stains.

White spirit can be used to degrease stains on any items, except those that can be used for cooking.

The substance is applied with a soft cloth. After the fat has dissolved, the residues are removed with a rag, and the surface is wiped with soapy water.

Safety precautions

When working with white spirit, it is necessary to observe safety measures that reduce the negative impact on the human body and the objects being processed.

Wear only protective clothing. Prolonged exposure to the skin and mucous membrane during breathing can cause allergic reactions and drug addiction to inhaled vapors (GOST 3134-78).
The room in which work is carried out must be ventilated.
Keep container tightly closed, away from direct sunlight. A substance that is self-igniting and may catch fire when heated. An increase in temperature causes accelerated evaporation of the solvent.

In case of nefras fire, extinguishing is carried out by any means except water.

It is prohibited to use white spirit near open flames, machines and tools that are a source of sparks.

Signs of poisoning and first aid

The causes of nefras poisoning can be:

inhalation of fumes;
contact with skin;
accidental contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes;
accidental or deliberate ingestion.

Symptoms of poisoning:

gradually increasing dizziness;
confusion of speech, hallucinations, delusions;
impaired psychomotor reactions, gait, decreased physical activity, muscle spasms;
pain or burning sensation in the throat, ears, nose, lips;
blurred vision and weakening of other senses

These symptoms usually appear in people prone to allergic reactions and occur quite rarely - if they occur, you must stop using white spirit in your work.

First aid

Anyone needs to know what to do before the ambulance arrives in case of poisoning or a severe allergic reaction to a solvent.

The person is taken out (in severe cases, taken out) into the open air to prevent further entry of the chemical into the respiratory tract.
Open the windows to ventilate the room.
If white spirit gets on the skin or mucous membranes and causes an allergic reaction, the affected areas are washed with plenty of water.
Call an ambulance immediately.
Rinse the stomach with plenty of water if the victim is conscious.
Give activated carbon to drink (1 tablet per 10 kg of weight).

The listed cases and consequences of poisoning are rare and, as a rule, are caused by individual intolerance to the substance or accidental ingestion of white spirit into the body.

Recently, new generations of solvents have appeared on the market. There is a deep cleaning nefras without a pungent odor. However, the low price of the usual white spirit, its consumer qualities and functionality make the classic solvent an indispensable assistant in everyday life.