Hi. I've seen mentioned on this forum that 'Panel Wipe' in the U.K. is naptha - as is Coleman Fuel. Therefore, taking heed of the dire warnings regarding using unleaded petrol in stoves, and in view of the rip-off we in the U.K. experience with Coleman Fuel, I decided to give Panel Wipe a try. I've just bought 5L for 12 pounds. On the tin it says 'M600 Degreaser. Naptha (Petroleum) Hydrotreated Light. UN1263' Heartened by the 'naptha', I've tried it in my Russian 8R. It burnt rather feebly and didn't seem to develop enough pressure. I guess on a petrol/gasoline stove with a pump it may be O.K.. When I get a chance, I'll empty my 111B and give it a try. I'm not sure if it's worth bothering trying it on my SVEA 123R unless I get a pump. BTW, what's the situation regarding pumps on the Russian 8R? I seem to recall seeing somewhere that the 123 one doesn't fit (and costs an arm and a leg anyway), but that 'Handi-Albert' makes them. Regards: Jim Ford
Has anyone tried paint thinners? There is some real cheap stuff appearing over here. Coleman fuel and white spirits are over NZ$8 litre. It is amazing how much white spirits I get through playing with my stoves :-)
Every so often the alternative fuels quetion rears its head and there have been several threads/topics, both in this forum and in the previous one, on this subject in which panel wipe is mentioned, and the general consensus (but not unanimously) seems to be that its not very nice stuff for stove use although it burns well and appears to be just the job. As good a one as any is this : http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=81021&messageid=1089468726 Its a longish thread with quite a few links included but if you go through it all you can make your own mind up.
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty well satisfied that the 'Panel Wipe' I have is Naptha (as it says on the tin!), though what the significance of the 'hydrotreated light' is I don't know. It smells like lighter fluid and leaves no residue when it evaporates. I would think that a substance used for hand application in degreasing would have little - if any - in the way of nasty additives like toluene or benzene. My Russian 8R clone doesn't work properly with it and I get the feeling that Panel Wipe isn't as volatile as petrol, which may be the reason. I'm going to draw off the petrol in my 71, 111b and 123R and see if they work with Panel Wipe and post the results. I'll also buy some genuine Coleman and compare it with Panel Wipe on my Russian 8R - maybe it won't work with Coleman. Regards: Jim Ford
I tried panel wipe in a Primus multifuel all summer on several trips, and used about 5 litres. The fuel was champion, and I did not have to clean it once. It does not work so well on a Taiwanese 8r but is better than pure Cole man .
So, what's the experience of other 8R or clone users with Coleman Fuel? Sounds like it can be a bit iffy. Regards: Jim Ford
I add about 10 to 20% of petrol to the coleman [naptha] type fuel. The 8R types run much better than on pure fuel. Curiously, I have an Optimus 99 which runs fine on Coleman type fuel. I cant work out why.
I just looked a the ingredients of a bottle of "white Spirit" from my local Wilko store. It consists of Petrolium Distalates EC number 2651854 which according to http://www.nalfleet.com/images/msds/msds_updates_pdfs/ms79103.pdf Is Naptha Any comments before I blow up the house?
We have LIFT OFF Let us know how it goes. I used some white spirit in an 8R recently and it seemed to go well. Cheers GC
Yes - but it's only 10-20% naptha! It sounds to me like ordinary painters white spirit and will probably not be volatile enough to burn in a petrol stove. Jim Ford
Hi. After 'tuning' my Russian R1 (see Fettling Forum), I decided to retry the Panel Wipe I have. It works a treat, with a hot, clean blue flame! The previous 'problem' I had with Panel Wipe appears to have been down to the stove, not the fuel. I feel that Panel Wipe ought not to have any nasty additives - after all, its use is purely as a solvent cleaner, leaving minimal residue. Also, the manufacturers whilst not recommending it, will recognise that its use would in many cases involve much skin contact in a confined space ie a backstreet spray shop with minimal facilities. The tin says it's Naptha and therefore I'm confident that Panel Wipe = Natha = Coleman Wite Gas! Jim Ford
