Oily rags

"Boiled linseed oil is used as a paint binder or as a wood finish on its own. Rags dampened with boiled linseed oil are a fire hazard, because they provide a large surface area for oxidation of the oil. The oxidation is an exothermic reaction which accelerates as the rags get hotter."

As soon as one of the containers shows elevated temperature (90C), the experiment is really over. Unless you like a cheery fire. Some other web entries say combustion (open flame) occurs at 120 using the rags method. And that could be the rag functioning as a wick, for linseed vapours.

Paul

In message snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net>, Andy Burns snipped-for-privacy@andyburns.uk writes

smoulder.

This guy

Thomas Prufer

Not to be taken lightly. Lots of DIYers have no knowledge of the hazards. The same goes for steel wool & sparks or other sources of ignition.

- Regards wasbit

I'm always cautious with oily rags but I'll be even more cautious now.

Some years ago I laid an oak floor in the extension, sanded the boards, two coats of linseed oil, put all the wood dust, oily rags, waste paper etc in a binliner outside the back door. Several days later I was sitting at my kitchen table reading the paper when I noticed 6 foot flames right outside the door.

I won't make that mistake again TW