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Old 02-18-2013, 03:12 PM   #1
Jon
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Default Clean gas smell off hands?

I've Googled this and not happy with what I found. I don't remember this being a problem 40-50 years ago when I was into it every day at work. But now I have a heck of a time getting rid of the smell. Just wondered what you guys have used successfully? I've tried dish washing soap, Go-Jo, detergent, and mineral spirits. The mineral spirits seems to work the best of these.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:18 PM   #2
hotrodA
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

AutoZone cheapo carb cleaner or Windex
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:25 PM   #3
Rock Hornbuckle
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Gasoline contains benzene, an extremely harmful chemical when inhaled or absorbed throught the skin. The best way to get gas smell off your hands, is to not get it on your hands. Go to OSHA site and read about benzene. You can say, " I've done this for years with no harmful effect", but it WILL catch up with you!
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:40 PM   #4
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

I use the disposable blue nitrile gloves. You can get them in boxes of 100 in the $15 range. If your careful you can sometimes get 2 or 3 uses out of them. I haven't found any of my shop chemicals that affect them.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:42 PM   #5
Barry B./ Ma.
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

WD-40 works the best for me, absorbs the odor and doesn't evaporate too fast making for easy cleanup.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:52 PM   #6
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

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Lobby for E85. That way your hands will smell more like politicians than gas. I also agree with the 'use nitrile gloves' logic.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:55 PM   #7
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

www.oshacfr.com. 1910.1028 Appendix A, Permissible exposure; 1 part of benzene vapor per million parts of air. All skin exposure is harmful, and should be avoided.

Long term chronic exposure; Repeated or prolonged exposure to benzene, even at relatively low concentrations, may result in various blood disorders, ranging from enemia to lukemia. Many blood disorders may occur without symtoms.

This is qouted from the OSHA manual.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:55 PM   #8
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Wear rubber gloves, that is the only way. take it from me who has been sensitized to fuels and oils. I wish I wore them 30 years ago. All parts stores sells them they are very flexible. The chemicals in gasoline are absorbed into your skin in a matter of seconds and go straight to your kidneys and liver!
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:56 PM   #9
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeK View Post
Lobby for E85. That way your hands will smell more like politicians than gas. I also agree with the 'use nitrile gloves' logic.

politicians, gas samething! Lemons work for me.
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Old 02-18-2013, 03:56 PM   #10
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

I have the best luck with vinegar. Things like carb cleaner may be harmful to your skin or may absorb by your body. There used to be a sandy cream cleaner ( don't know the name ) and it worked well.
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Old 02-18-2013, 04:59 PM   #11
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Gritty toothpaste and a "Wonder Bar" (aluminum). Also works for fishy hands. Then something to mosturize, or the cracks in your dry skin will hold the smell.
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Old 02-18-2013, 05:11 PM   #12
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

We have a club member who is a doctor. When he heads out to his Model As, he is wearing white surgical gloves. I can't imagine what his patients would think if smelled like a garage! Ed
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Old 02-18-2013, 05:17 PM   #13
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Vanilla from the kitchen works great to eliminate the smell on your hands.
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Old 02-18-2013, 05:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Rub your hands with fresh lemons. JMHO.
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Old 02-18-2013, 05:44 PM   #15
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida View Post
politicians, gas samething! Lemons work for me.
A fisherman I knew many years back told me he used lemons to clean the smell of fish from his hands and like you I have found they do work for gas also
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Old 02-18-2013, 06:03 PM   #16
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

I've used gas to clean parts since I was about 10 years old. The old days good gas never bothered me, but today's corn crap gas is really tough on the hands and I have to wear nitrile gloves. If I get today's gas on my hands then I use dishsoap and wash my hands 3 times, but still have to suffer the smell and sting for a day or so. This crap gas leaves a smell on my hands just from removing the gas cap.
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Old 02-18-2013, 06:17 PM   #17
Ross/Kzoo
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

If you're looking for very good latex or non latex gloves go to Center Medical Supply. They're better and cheaper than Harbor Freight.
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Old 02-18-2013, 09:42 PM   #18
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

I have always used "Goop" for cleaning my hands that are dirty from old grease or oil and when I occasionally get gas on my hands. I will always use the blue nitril gloves if I'm using any type of cleaner (mineral spirits, carb cleaner, gunk engine cleaner, etc.) other than water-based cleaners. Some mentioned using mineral spirits to get rid of the gas smell. I think that the smell of mineral spirits is almost as bad as gas. My wife makes me undress in the garage if I have been using mineral spirits for cleaning parts.

"Goop" can be purchased (in my area at least) at Fleet Farm or Harbor Freight. I have mentioned the use of "Goop" a number of times in the past here on the "Barn" but nobody has ever commented on it. Am I the only one that uses it? Thanks. Don/WI
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Old 02-18-2013, 09:54 PM   #19
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

Goop is good stuff. My friend rubs it into grease stains on his clothing before he sticks it in the washing machine.
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Old 02-18-2013, 10:12 PM   #20
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Default Re: Clean gas smell off hands?

"SHOUT" pre-wash in a spray bottle is a quite good hand cleaner & helps get rid of the gas odor.
Once a looooong time ago, I was gettin' undressed in the garage, I forgot that Cindy had an OPENER!--------EEEEK! Bill W.
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