Diesel question

[demote]

This may seem like a dumb question but I'm a little new to diesel engines (previous tractor was gas). In another forum, someone mentioned that they use gloves when pumping diesel and I just passed it off as for the fact that diesel stinks but I suspect there's more to it. I often, when nothing else works, will wash my hands with gas to get some crude off. Haven't done that with diesel and maybe shouldn't try.

 

[dmccarty]

demote,

I'm sure the gloves where to keep the stink off the hands. I don't wear gloves when I fill the tractor or the truck for that matter. Every once in a while I'll get fuel on my hands and it does take awhile for the stink to go away. I sure would not wash my hands in diesel fuel.

Later,
Dan

 

[odleefs]

<font color="purple"> I often, when nothing else works, will wash my hands with gas to get some crude off. </font>
I hope, for your sake, it is not often! Gasoline makes a great solvent yet is quite hazardous. Wear gloves or washable/disposable clothing that you can cover your skin with to limit exposure to crud that necessitates gasoline washes. Gas also can cause frostbite easily in colder temps. with exposure to skin. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Diesel is dangerous just like gas, but is too oily to practically use as a solvent. Lack of evaporation increases exposure duration and a diesel-slicked hand is hazardous upon the steering wheel. [/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifDiesel also isn't as fragrant as gasoline, IMO! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif]
Steve

 

[Sully2]

Dan: I cant get it off of my hands with just soap and water. I have to use a "hand cleaning product" such as when you get your hands "greasy / dirty" from working on?? And THEN after wiping the cleaner off my hands...go and use soap and water. But just soap?...nope. I've never found any.

 

[demote]

odleefs, thanks for the warning, as I get older I realize I need to be more cautious rather than when I was young and thought I was indestructible./forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dan: I cant get it off of my hands with just soap and water. )</font>
I had the same problem and started to use laundry detergent which cuts through the grease pretty good but it is very hard on the skin.
Now I use hot water and regular soap and a hand towel that I soak in the hot water and lather up with the soap. Wash my hands and up to the elbows. The wash towel provides enough scrub power to get all the grease and even under my fingernails. Much easier on the skin that way.

 

[JimMorrissey]

That seems like a good way to go. I normally use the pumice/orange stuff first without any water.....work that around good and hit it with hot water. Then go back with dish detergent (Palmolive or something) and scrub again. Works well, even with grease if I get some on my hands.

Now a days I always use surgical gloves when greasing the machine or changing the oil or hydraulic fluid. I keep two 50 count boxes in easy to find locations so there's no excuse not to grab a pair (keep them away from easy reach of mice or rodents, they nibble them and ruin a box quick). I'm able to get in there and deal with the mess directly and then just peel them off and toss. Hands are perfect and the gloves are cheap cheap cheap (Walgreens or the like). I use them daily and they really limit exposure to the crud, which is good regardless of health reports or toxicity studies. It's just not a good thing to be taking baths in diesel or gas, which I used to do without thinking about it. Kind of wish I'd done the rubber glove thing 10 years ago and not cleaned up with paint thinner so much /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Oh well, my kids arent' square and I'm still alive for now.

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now a days I always use surgical gloves when greasing the machine or changing the oil or hydraulic fluid.)</font>

Great idea, didn't think about the latex gloves working around the tractor, but...duh...I use them working on greasy plastic injection molds in the shop.
"I guess common sense isn't very common"

 

[Soundguy]

I tend to like the blue nitrile gloves myself.. but either work,.

Soundguy

 

[adlertom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I often, when nothing else works, will wash my hands with gas to get some crude off. Haven't done that with diesel and maybe shouldn't try. )</font>

Gasoline is absorbed through the skin (diesel fuel probably is too). It's not healthy to wash your hands with it.