Replies

1. 
   dherzig | Oct 12, 2007 03:01pm | #1

   I have a gas can for my lawn mower that has a flexible spout that screws on the outlet. It also has a hand pump that also screws on the outlet. With this you can remove as much as you want without spilling. I wish I could remember where I bought it. Maybe one of the big box stores.

1. 
   kuster | Oct 14, 2007 10:33pm | #2

   thanks, i appreciate your time, its frustrateing when you are searching so hard for an answer to a question you dont see whats rite in front of you. maybe some day i can return the favor, if not i'll try to pass it on to someone else.

2. 
   cowtown | Oct 15, 2007 07:09am | #3

   Cleaning up spray tools is really a pita. I don't know the answer in toto, but what I do is thus.....

   When mixing up, I try to not mix anything more than what I'm going to use. If yer using post-catalyzed stuff, once it's mixed, you cannot "save it til tomorrow" so I have a 5 gal pail partially filled with sawdust outside the shop where I dump the leftovers.....when it gets to crusty, I toss in some more sawdust..

   The solvent evaporates, and is encouraged with occasional stirring of the sawdust, and when it don't smell no more, it gets dumped into the dumpster.

   I try to use used, then clean "reducer" to clean the hoses and guns, and once it's used, it gets dumped into a 1 gal can for "used solvent", wherein the catalytic reaction seems to continue, certainly the solids percipitate, and the sludge accumulates in the bottom. When I empty a new jug of reducer, I take the "used jug" and run it through a filter into the empty jug. There is a lot of sludge left in the bottom, and I take tin snips, cut the sucker in half and set it outside til the solvents evaporate. What I got left is typically a half gallon of used solvent, minus the solidified debris.

   I dont wanna be dumping solvents into the ground water in any way shape or form, although the stuff that does evaporate from you, me and anyone else in the temperate regions does condense in the artic and antartic air, and doesn't evaporate agin. Really makes you wanna go water based, although that too has VOC's in it, only lesser amounts.

   I dunno if that's the way the experts do it, and i ain't sure in this day and age that they would actually tell you what they do.

   I ain't sure what I suggested is the green way to go, I'm cogitating on going entirely water based, I'm trying to minimize my ecological footprint, perhaps slightly faster than my competitors,

   It is a conundrum for me too.

   Eric

1. 
   kuster | Oct 16, 2007 04:24am | #4

   sounds like you and i are a lot alike, except that "catalyzed" stuff is just too complicated for me just yet. i prefer shellac under oil based varnish. (my dad always used varnish) if not just wax, depends what it is I'm finishing. if my solvent is not alcohol (denatured) which i try to reuse as first wash, then thinner is the most used solvent in my shop. whatever it has in it gets strained through old cotton, and then decanted after everything settles. "Dumping" anything is not really an option, if it cant dry up on a rag or start a fire, then its stored in a metal can until i can run it to the city recycle center. i do appreciate the sawdust in a can idea, i can definitely use that one and i thank you for taking the time to let me know how you work. i consider myself novice grade material, and i need all the help i can get.

1. 
   cowtown | Oct 16, 2007 07:43am | #5

   The learning curve with spraying was long and continues ad infenitum...My gurus are the local suppliers. they know me, we chat and have fun as they take my money, and they don't think my questions are stupid (even if they are)Even if I pay a few bucks more a gallon, it's still cheaper for me to have them as consultants and trainers than it would cost for me to even take a basic "spray finishing" course...Just watch the explosivity of the stuff eh? RegardsEric