Rags

[Ed in Tampa]

When I say I burn my rags don't get the idea I have a huge bon fire. I usually have a coffee can I sit in the drive and I toss the rags in there and burn them. I use a little accelerant (alcohol, thinner or something flamable). Usually from the time I light a handful of rags until they are burned completely is 5 minutes or less, no smoke and flames barely higher than the top of the coffee can.
I usually do this as I'm cleaning up at the end of the day and when I have used something I don't want (due to potential fire problems) in my shop overnight.
If the camp fires are legal keep a stick with a marshmallow on it near by then if the anyone comes around just say your toasting marshmallows
Ed

[a1gutterman]

..............If the camp fires are legal keep a stick with a marshmallow on it near by then if the anyone comes around just say your toasting marshmallows
Ed

There be many a "campfire" for just that reason.

[charlese]

I used to have several paper "boxes of rags". They a good! However now I've gone to the blue paper shop towels. These fit into all of the paper towel roll dispensers. There is always one roll above the sink and one above the workbench. When gluing, I go through these towels like Grant through Richmond. When finishing I may go through most of a roll in one day.

Disposal: glue rags get thrown on the floor and picked up the next day then thrown in the garbage. (unless they are picked up and re-used)

Rags used for mineral spirit wiping get put over the lip of the shop garbage can. When they are dry, they either get re-used or thrown into the recycle can.

Rags soaked up with stain and penetrating agents get laid out flat on the floor until they get stiff. Then they are put in the garbage.

Rags used during washing/drying are hung on the sides of the tub until dry. Then re-used until they fall apart. Sometimes these are doubled up for other uses.

Cost: I try to buy these at one of the big box stores including Wal Mart. Sometimes I have found packages of 12 rolls at a bargain price. Don't really know the cost per rag, but to me they are a life saver when compared to cloth rags and cleaning.

Disposal: When back in Western MT. We lived in an air inversion area where no wood burning stoves were permitted unless equipped with a catalytic converter. ALL outdoor burning had been outlawed for years. Leaves, paper trash, and the like were all picked up and recycled either by homeowners or city. Fireplaces were only permitted on "good air days". (About 20 per year)

We learned that to that rid of left over paint/spirits/volatile liquids, we could pore the remaining stuff into cat litter, then when all of the volatiles had evaporated, pick up the now solid (stuck together) chunk of litter and throw it in the garbage can. There was no longer any danger of spontaneous combustion. I use this same thinking when I allow the paper rags to dry on the floor until stiff - then throw them.

[a1gutterman]

............... When gluing, I go through these towels like Grant through Richmond............

Hi charlese,
Grant? through Richmond? what are you talking about? I am tooooo young to know what you are talking about. he he he

[kalynzoo]

I live in Los Angeles where burning is prohibited unless it is weed:D Right, not lawn weed. But thats Hollywood. I only put "dirty dusty" rags in the wash. If it has paint or chemical remains I leave it to dry outside overnight (everything drys in an hours we have no humidity) then I discard it in the waste trash. Many of the varnishes will gum up machines, and petroleums can degrade the seals. I too have witnessed spontaneous combustion of a finish soaked rag when left unattended. There have been more than a few homes destroyed by varnish left overnight by the cabinet refinisher.

[eldyfig]

Hi charlese,
Grant? through Richmond? what are you talking about?

That has something to do with Gen. Grant's campaign against Richmond during the Civil War.



I work at a chemical plant and also have seen used rags start smoking in rag disposal cans if they weren't under water. At home, it is best to lay them out where air can dry them out. You definately don't want to ball them up somewhere.

I haven't gotten into any finishing projects for some time. My rags are coming mainly from buffing tools and equipment after use. They get collected in a bin and when I have enough, I wash them while everyone is asleep and then head out to the shop. When I come back in around 5 in the morniong, I will toss them in the dryer. I also get some greasy rags from maintenace on the vehicles, tractor or 4 wheelers. Those get thrown away when they are used up.