Odorless mineral spirits as lubricant for French Polish

[Barry Daniels]

I've often wondered how they make it odorless. Regular mineral spirits is very stinky but this stuff has none of it.

[Mario Proulx]

Naphtha is pretty much oderless.

The question here is, what have they done to the naphtha to make it "hydrotreated"...

[Chuck Tweedy]

I'm not an expert in hydrocarbon chemistry by any means, but it appears there are special treatments for these "oils" that remove the benzene compounds, and sulfur compounds. I know that benzene compounds smell (original root of "aromatic" compounds). It looks like (from the almighty web) that "Hydrotreatment" is a process to clean-up diesel and heating oil. I'll bet that is what they do to this stuff to reduce the smell and the volatility.

[Bryan Bear]

Naphtha is pretty much oderless.

The question here is, what have they done to the naphtha to make it "hydrotreated"...

It is interesting that these solvents seem to be a bit different depending on where in the world you are sitting. The naptha I use here in the Midwest certainly has a smell. I would say it is moderately strong smelling, not overpowering by any means but no one would say it is pretty much odorless either. I suspect the odorless mineral spirits sold in California might be different than I would see her too. Maybe not.?.

[Chuck Tweedy]

Bryan, they are different.
For Kleen Strip, the non-CA version has an Amber label and you will see "not for sale in CA" somewhere. The CA version has a bright yellow label.
i assume that the contents are different - not just the label (CA one is likely more expensive and has lower VOC)

[Bob Howell]

I have read over this thread and now realize with all the additives nothing is what it seems to be or once was.

What to use for FP lubricant.
I started off with mineral oil but everyone seems to use something else. An oil that cures like a nut or seed oil would seem best but additives mess up that.

Olive oil is popular but why.


We eat a lot of almond butter here and it comes with oil on top. I pour off some and use it to wipe on bowels. It seems to harden or just drys up.I have been thinking of using it.


I have had problems with not getting all the mineral oil off so thought a polimerizing oil would be a good choice. Even boiled linseed oil would seem to work.

[Bill Raymond]

Never thought of rubbing almond oil on my bowels!!

[Bryan Bear]

Never thought of rubbing almond oil on my bowels!!

Desperate times call for Desperate measures. <G>

[Randy Roberts]

Wow Bob...one of the best typos we've had around here in quite a while. Let me suggest a beard and dark glasses.

Chuck,
Want to add my " great to see you here again" to all the others. Good to see you building again.

[Clay Schaeffer]

"Wow Bob...one of the best typos we've had around here in quite a while. Let me suggest a beard and dark glasses."

Considering that it was in regard to using it as a lubricant the imagery it brings up is twice as bad.
Gotta love that auto correct: www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/29/funni ... 91880.html

[Bryan Bear]

<Looks around for a "whap.">

[Bob Howell]

Well, at least I don't think I offended any group. Potty humor is still safe. Have two young grandkids and live with it daily. There is no stopping it and we will just have to adjust.


Now about oils; how do you choose one?

[Fred Battershell]

Hey Chuck! Does "Midnight Lutherie" ring a bell? Good to see most of the old gang on here tonight.