ACETONE QUESTIONS to do with Aluminum TIG!

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Hi I just got a 200 amps ac/dc tig welder, and I wanna weld aluminum and I know you clean the part with acetone but my question is lets say I clean a piece with acetone and I miss a drip of it and tig weld over it, do I have to worry about acetone fumes or what?
Reply:I guess you got the how to start a thread thing figured out Acetone is flammable. Welding onto a wet patch of acetone will light the liquid up. God news is acetone evaporates very quickly, so a drop shouldn't pose any major fire hazard. Welding near rags soaked in acetone or open containers would be a bigger issue.Now fumes of acetone can get you high, so in that way, yes they are "hazardous". Acetone isn't like chlorinated brake cleaners though where the solvents break down into a lethal gas like phosgene..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:okay thanks and yea I figured it out haha
Reply:Use 91% to 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) INSTEAD of acetone for welding prep on aluminum.99% Isopropyl Alcohol is one of the best solvents around. The 70% Isopropyl will just frustrate you. Get at least 91% (very easy to find) and shoot for the 99%, if you can get it.For weld prep, degrease with isopropyl alcohol, then hit it with a clean stainless steel brush.Benefits:- Dirt cheap.- readily available at any local pharmacy (I get mine at the Safeway grocery store, in the first aid aisle).- environmentally friendly (breaks down into harmless stuff).- no protective mask needed while using it.- doesn't turn into dangerous fumes when welding (though it WILL catch fire...give it a few moments to evaporate)- evaporates quickly, after you put it on.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:Note on alcohol fires. Alcohol can burn with just about an invisible flame, so you need to use a bit of care.  I remember an old Indy 500 eons ago in the 80's where there was a pit fire during refueling.  I remember seeing the heat waves coming off the fire and the pit crew thrashing around and the near by crews garbing CO2 extinguishers, but there was no visible flames.Not the incident I remember, but similar..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Alcohol and Acetone are available by the gallon in the paint dept. at Lowes and Depot.MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:Actually, ethanol fire is only invisible in bright day light.  It would be visible if it burn in a indoor environment.  That's unless you shop is lit with 1000 light bulb.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNote on alcohol fires. Alcohol can burn with just about an invisible flame, so you need to use a bit of care.  I remember an old Indy 500 eons ago in the 80's where there was a pit fire during refueling.  I remember seeing the heat waves coming off the fire and the pit crew thrashing around and the near by crews garbing CO2 extinguishers, but there was no visible flames.Not the incident I remember, but similar.
Reply:Mineral spirits works for me...
Reply:Unless there's oil or grease on the material I see no need whatsoever to wipe it off with any type of solvent prior to welding.If there is oil or grease on the aluminum it should be wiped off before doing any wire brushing or sanding that's done to remove the oxide layer.   Other wise you just contaminate your wire brush or flapper disc and smear the oil or greasy substance into the surface of the aluminum.If you're starting with clean new aluminum, after mechanically removing the oxide layer I think the better alternative is to use a blast of clean dry air to blow off any of the oxide dust particles that may be left on the surface.Last edited by HT2-4956; 09-05-2014 at 09:57 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by asmActually, ethanol fire is only invisible in bright day light.  It would be visible if it burn in a indoor environment.  That's unless you shop is lit with 1000 light bulb.
Reply:All this talk of alcohol fires reminds me of that parable about....."Build a man a fire and you keep him warm for a few hours.  But, set a man on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life."
Reply:I had an ethanol fired model steam roller as a kid. One time I fueled the burner on the kitchen counter after wiping the counter with a wet rag. Must have spilled some because when i lit it the whole countertop erupt3d in blue flames. I had just enough time to grab the fire extinguisher before it went out. This was about 95% ethanol that my orthodontist used to make in a home still because it is illegal in Saudi Arabia and you cant buy it. Anyway yes you can see the flames inside.I still have that thing. Mamod used to make them.
Reply:No danger because acetone evaporates extremely quickly. Typically there is no need for it unless you're doing something crucial. As someone else here had already stated, use isopropyl alcohol because it is so much cheaper and I agree with the 91%-99%. Just brush the area to be welded with a designated stainless steel wire brush to break down the oxide layer. Always use a designated brush for aluminum only so there is no contamination.-Hillbilly