Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 19:55:44 -0500
Reply-To: "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject: Re: A Homemade Waxoyl Experiment.........
In-Reply-To: <000601c2d9c0$15ff5b40$082aa8c0@mystation.com>
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Why not just buy flooding wax at an autobody supply place? It doesn't
cost much, $10-$20 for a couple bricks, and it is designed for
automotive use.
From DC/Baltimore
G. Matthew Bulley
WAR--A real threat to US Citizens?
Blood for oil?
Or an elaborate sideshow to distract attention from more pressing
national problems the Administration can't seem to solve?
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Jay Brown
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 10:44 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: A Homemade Waxoyl Experiment.........
Hi Phil,
Any paraffin candle wax will have "fuel" in it, as it is refined from
crude
oil. Likewise, all wax will burn on its own without the aid of a wick
or
other direct source of flame. If memory serves me correctly, the flash
point of most commonly available paraffin waxes is between 375-450F.
You are right to suspect that your alter candle is less than stellar in
quality though. Usually container candles like these use the cheapest
wax
available and have a very low melt point (~120F). Many manufacturers
also
try to stretch their wax yeild by adding different types of oils
(vegetable
or mineral) and other additives like stearic acid. What you are left
with
is a low quality candle which doesn't burn well and is usually thrown
away
with about 3/4 of the wax remaining in the jar.
If you are planning to keep experimenting, I have a couple of
suggestions.
Going for a more highly refined paraffin is a great idea, hit the craft
store, or try the canning section at your local supermarket (the canning
waxes are very pure, as they will come into direct contact with food).
Also, you might acheive better results using mineral oil available at
the
pharmacy instead of motor oil. Don't go for baby oil, it has fragrance
that
you don't want in your mixture, may also lower the flash point.
I would try something like the following for a starting point and then
adjust from there:
1lb paraffin wax
4oz Microcrystaline wax (optional) - try the craft store or
www.candlemaking.com (sold as Micro Wax)
1qt pure mineral oil
1pt turpentine (mineral spirits might be better?)
Heat your wax in a double boiler to avoid scorching or combustion. Or
better yet, get one of the little chef's pot deep fryers that has a
thermostatic control to act as your wax melter. Set it to 200-250F and
throw in all of the wax. Once the wax is melted, turn the heat down as
low
as possible and add the mineral oil. Pour into a steel or glass bowl
and
let cool until the mixture congeals to a jello-like consistency. Add
one
cup turpentine and mix well. Add additional turpentine in small amounts
until the mixture reaches a nice brushable consistency at room
temperature.
The resulting mixture should have a considerably higher flash point than
your original recipe, as the ammount of turpentine is decreased
significantly. The addition of the microcystaline wax will help it
stick to
everything it touches, if you can't find it, don't worry about it.
Will it work? I don't know... But it is worth a try. With some
experimentation, you should be able to devise a recipe that will protect
metal surfaces well, yet not burst into flames unexpectedly. Be aware
that
in direct summertime sunlight, this stuff might tend to migrate and flow
a
little bit if you put it on real thick. Shouldn't be too much of a
problem
on the undercarriage though..
Now that I have typed all of this out, another option that is probably
far
safer and simpler occurs to me. Use the afforementioned deep fryer to
heat
the paraffin wax and mineral oil to about 200F (use a candy or meat
thermometer) and then brush this on to whatever metal surface you want
to
protect. No turpentine needed, so less inherrent flamability issues. I
think I will try this approach with a few of my garden tools and see how
it
works there. If my results are good, on to the VW's before next winter.
You would never guess that my previous career was in the candle
industry,
would you...
Good Luck!
Jay Brown
'85 Vanagon Westfalia
'72 Hardtop Camper
http://www.geocities.com/vwcamper72
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 04:31:03 -0800
From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: A Homemade Waxoyl Experiment.........
Johnny, I did not throw a match into a "heated
petroleum liquid:, i let it cool and harden 1st.
I didnt do a test batch to see IF it would ignite, i
wanted to see how EASILY it ignited.......ive got rust
near my engine bay which gets pretty hot.
I think the Jesus Candle i used has fuel mixed into
it....Its made in Mexico where fuel is dirt cheap i
suppose sheaper than candle wax. Im going to try to
use some real candle wax soon.
Phil
84' Westy w/Tiico