Mineral spirits + simple green + acetone to clean tubing

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For cleaning the oil off the outside of hot rolled mild steel TUBING I have been using a 2 or 3 step method.Step 1:  I use mineral spirits to cut through the initial layers of gunk since it "cuts" well and doesn't evaporate quickly.  Step 2: Then I use simple green to remove any residual mineral spirits.  Step 3: Sometimes, I will do a final wipe with acetone.  However, I can't see much difference with the acetone after using mineral spirits and then simple green.Acetone evaporates too quickly to use as a first line of defense for the oil layer on tubing (in my opinion).HERE IS MY QUESTION:  Do any of you have any other cost effective, non-toxic magic elixirs to remove the outer layer of oils on hot rolled mild steel?I'm not talking about mill scale.  I use twisted wire cups, flap discs, and/or grinding wheels for mill scale.  Thanks in advance.
Reply:I generally use some mineral spirits on cold rolled that is dripping with oil. As you say, it doesn't evaporate near as quick. Before paint I'll use laquer thinner. It's seems to cut anything I need to cut and stays in the rag long enough to get some cleaning done. Unless you need laboratory clean acetone is a pain. Most of the hot rolled i get isn't that bad."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I don't like mineral spirits cause it leaves behind it's own oily residue, which kinda defeats the purpose of cleaning the metal, in my mind.  I use mostly acetone, but sometimes use lacquer thinner if there is alot of oil.  I agree, the acetone does evaporate off rather quickly.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966. . .HERE IS MY QUESTION:  Do any of you have any other cost effective, non-toxic magic elixirs to remove the outer layer of oils on hot rolled mild steel?
Reply:I always sued paint thinner on CR solid and tube. Cleans good enough for my needs. Kinda sucks when it's winter and not chop heat. Paint thinner soaked rag+ 50, 20' lengths of cold metal= hand ache! And god help you if you whack your hand on something!!!!!!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Thanks guys.I'll try some lacquer thinner (outdoors) to compare.  I tend to use lacquer thinner sparingly......I’m getting older and I’m trying to maintain as many brain cells as possible....its pretty potent stuff!I'll also have to try the burn method () on the really nasty metal.  It might be a little overkill for new tubing.
Reply:Make sure to wear gloves when using Lacquer  Thinner and Acetone. It's absorbed through the skin as well. Nasty stuff200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderMake sure to wear gloves when using Lacquer  Thinner and Acetone. It's absorbed through the skin as well. Nasty stuff
Reply:Other than leaving the tubing outside for a while (the best method)Instead of using a rag soaked in solvent.....brush the solvent on with a cheap natural hair chip brush, it goes very fast.  Then wipe the crud off with paper towels.The bunch of corral panels I made a while back each had 65' of tubing.  It took around 10 minutes to 15 minutes to prep each of them for paint using a brush and wipe method.  The brush doesn't hold oil like a rag either, so you're not reapplying oil with the solvent.I stick with mineral spirits, and don't worry about mineral spirit residue.  The paint's thinned with mineral spirits"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:brake cleaner works great its cheep at walmart
Reply:Simple green or greased lightning, scrub until on sooty residue in left. Leaving it in the sun does help break down the oil.  Never had much success with mineral spirits, only.  My paint used rub off or come off in large flakes when I cleaned with only mineral spirits.
Reply:If you want something that lasts a little longer than acetone you can use isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).  Depending on where you get it you can get 90% for ~$2 for a 32oz at any drug store.  It will dissolve most oils.  You can also mix it up with acetone to get more oil onto the rag and slow evaporation.Other stuff that will work well for dissolving oils is mixed hexanes, petrolium ethers (pet ethers), and in a pinch PVC primer will work but it usually has that purple dye in it.  However these are all highly flammable and should only be used outside.
Reply:I'm surprised nobody mentioned the ease of denatured alcohol.  It's cheap and you can get it by the gallon at Lowes or Home Depot stores.....  Evaporates really quick and removes ALL oils/grease, etc...Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Brake cleaner is DANGEROUS if you plan to weld this metal. (Argon gas + Brake cleaner residue + Welding heat = DEATH) You probably know that already, but the danger is so high, I thought I'd mention it. Has anyone used Naptha?? It evaporates slower than Acetone, and still does a good job on oils. Dont know if it leaves a residue. Furniture/Woodworking finishers seem to like it.-az-
Reply:I go to the local thrift store and get the "bag or rags", usually old bath/beach/hand towels. Cheap. I use one with the paint thinner on to clean and the other hand holds the wipe-off rag. Tried sponges, brushes, paper, etc, and like that rags best. The drier/cleaner "wipe-off" rage becomes the thinner rag when the thinner rag become gunked up and the new piece is used for the drier. Store them in an air tight container. Nothing like a thinner rag fire in the shop to make the new guys panic!!! That's just to funny! 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Thank you all for your input.  Since, I have most of the items mentioned, I'll give some alternative cleaning methods a try.  I'll try the chip brush method to see how it works.  I have used a brush + solvents to clean motorcycle/bicycle chains for several years.  I never even thought of using them on steel.  Thanks Farmersamm.  Thanks again for all the suggestions!