Replies

1. 
   Sgian_Dubh | Oct 22, 2000 03:26pm | #1

   *
   Any painters or polishers supplier should have it. I also often see it in hardware outlets, including such places as the big sheds. Sliante.

1. 
   MEFIRD | Nov 09, 2000 06:55pm | #2

   *I get mine in the paint department at Home Depot

1. 
   mch_ | Nov 15, 2000 02:48am | #3

   *Home Depot has Toulene which is similar to Naptha.

1. 
   JohnD | Nov 17, 2000 01:04am | #4

   *NO IT ISN'T!!!!! DON'T TRY TO USE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Toluene is closely related to benzene, and is an "aromatic molecule". By that I mean that it is a real chemical substance. And, it tends to burn with a very smoky flame. It typically is more flammible, and certainly is more toxic than naphtha."Naphtha" is related to gasoline, kerosine, and mineral spirits. Do not confuse it with Mothballs, which is a similarly named material that is completely different (Naphthalene, a white smelly solid).For all intents and purposes, they are mixtures of a lot of molecules. The refiners distill off the materials, and take "cuts" of materials between different temperature ranges. You start with very low boiling materials, and when everything else is gone, you wind up with tar (yes, the stuff used for asphalt roads).For what purpose is this naphtha intended? Perhaps I can give some alternative names.

1. 
   Sgian_Dubh | Nov 17, 2000 02:37am | #5

   *John, Naptha is sometimes added to things like alkyd oil varnishes, for example. A technique commonly used with varnish is to thin it and apply with a rag. In the hot humid climate I live in I use white spirits (US mineral spirits.) Effectively all this does is thin down the coat of varnish so that it dries more quickly than applying the varnish straight out of the can. It also means you need to apply more coats to get the same build, but set against this if done properly is what I can only describe as a lustrous sheen as opposed to a sometimes treacly brush applied gash up. In colder climates, some people prefer to add all naptha, or a proportion of naptha, because it evaporates more quickly than mineral spirits, therefore speeding the ragging process up a bit. I also use naptha as a cleaner. It's quite a common constituent of various polishes. I happen to know that toluene is quite nasty stuff, and this chemical is often found in various cellulose based lacquers, such as pre-cat lacquer, post-cat lacquer, and nitrocellulose lacquer, as well as in other polishes. These last three named are usually applied by spray gun in a booth, and I most certainly wear a mask. Personally, I'm reasonably au fait with the dangers associated with these chemicals, because as a professional furniture maker it's part of my responsibility to know, but you required some information so as to expand on your original post. Now you have it. Please expand away. I like to learn stuff too. ;-) Sliante.

2. 
   mch_ | Nov 18, 2000 08:14pm | #6

   *I was refering to the use of toluene as an additive to make a faster trying wiping varnish; not as a burning fuel! I assumed that is what the origanal question was intended for. Where I live it is hard to find Naptha (if found quite $) so I have been using the toluene in a wiping varnish very successfully.

3. 
   Greg_Banks | Nov 23, 2000 09:13pm | #7

   *I was / am using the Colemans as a thinningg agent forPoly As I live in Southern Ontario Canada, it gets humid in the summer and well... coldd in the winter. My problem was finding a pure source forNaphthaha, as the stove fuel has some anti rust agents that may or may cause a problem with the poly (so far no complaints). Our Home Depot does not carrNaphthatha, although I do recall seeing toluene in the paint section. Not sure if this changes John's post, but am willing to learn more as well :-).Greg