Welding Crew: PSA about using brake cleaner
 

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

I was a little shocked by this. I'm not a welder, but cleaning metal with brake-clean prior to welding seems like a typical or reasonable process prior to welding. If this is common knowledge and I'm totally retarded I'll delete this thread.

It's a little out of date in that chlorinated solvents aren't around much anymore. It's still good advice to watch what you're burning when welding.

Wasnt there a thread about this like 2 years ago?

Most people don't know about toxic compounds created by high heat and gases.
It's even wise to not breathe the fumes created by stick-arc...
None of that stuff is good for ya.
'Tis a good reminder...

Don't want to breathe in carb cleaner or any brake cleaner either. Those used to be carbon-tetrachloride...

Wow, nice find! I'm sure I'll never be in that kind of situation...but think about some tools that might have a can of chlorinated brake kleen laying around. "Hey, let's toss this in a bonfire cuz it'll explode!" (and kill us all)

Wrong,
The brake cleaner in question is CRC Brakleen in the red can, and you can buy it at autozone among other places. There is a warning label on the can that states that it can create hydrogen chloride gas and phosgene under certain circumstances.
So be careful out there kids.

A backyard fire and a welding arc are two different things. While tossing it in a fire might not be the smartest idea, it won't produce the same effect as the welding arc.

Do most of you welder guys have some sort of a fan or fresh air source so you don't huff the fumes? I don't huff anything other than spraypaint.

I dont use any kind of ventilation :crx: although I probly should! I did at my last job and in school, but Im to lazy to set somthing up in my garage....

Depends on location apparently... the big red can of CRC Brakleen on my shelf says "non-chlorinated" in big letters and had no such warning. The Pyroil brake cleaner I also have on the shelf is non-chlorinated as well. I haven't seen a can of chlorinated brake cleaner in CA in the 10 years I've lived here.

As I said, it's always a good idea to be sure about whatever is plated or sprayed on something you're welding.

FYI I have a fume extractor on my soldering bench, so play it safe and do something as well if you are serious about your health.

I have to becareful as well - when I braze/solder copper, some residue refrigerants when exposed to high temps will also create phosgene. That's why I have to flush the system and solder with Nitrogen.

Damn! I just came across this. I use de-natured alcohol and nothing else. Usually a degreaser every now and then before the de-natured alcohol. Time to go read some more labels then.

That's good info. One time I did a really dumbass thing and welded galvanized steel in a relatively unventilated environment.

I had a headache for three days.

Wow good thing I don't know how to weld :|

YIKES. I have used brake clean more then a few times to clean shit I have welded.

Wow! 8 years working in various welding shops and I've never heard of that. I guess I should have been reading those MSDS sheets. Nice find, hustler, that's some handy info.

That's some nasty shit. I wonder if it's the same type of phosgene gas they used in WW1. Either way, It's not something one would want to chance their life with.

It's hard to ventilate your work area when mig or tig welding without blowing away the sheilding gas as well so it's hard sometimes to keep your head out of the fumes. Got to keep the lenses clean in your hood so you can stay further away from it.