Diesel soaked wood

[Rock Dodger]

A little tip that may prove useful. I had some diesel which had escaped in to the bilges and had combined with some bilge water. This soaked in to a wooden box stowed there and the wood became saturated. I removed the box and tried to let it dry out, the water went but the diesel didn't. Detergent (washing up liquid) didn't work as the surface was clean until the rest of the diesel seeped up to the surface again. Now, as diesel boils at anywhere between 360 and 500 degrees then I ran a blow lamp gently over the wood and lots of fumes were given off. Apart from a few brown patches where I wasn't quick enough to remove the flame it dried out. Now I know that you will be taking a short intake of breath at the idea of diesel, wood and a naked flame in the confines of a boat, I took the box home and did it outside.

However, I notice that B&Q do a two setting hot air gun for paint removal. What if this was used? It goes up to 600 degrees and there is no flame.

So there you have it. Gently heat the wood up to 600 degrees, all the diesel (and water) flashes off as vapour and Bob's your uncle. Not sure what it would do to the varnish or glue on plywood. What do you think?

 

[VicS]

A little tip that may prove useful. I had some diesel which had escaped in to the bilges and had combined with some bilge water. This soaked in to a wooden box stowed there and the wood became saturated. I removed the box and tried to let it dry out, the water went but the diesel didn't. Detergent (washing up liquid) didn't work as the surface was clean until the rest of the diesel seeped up to the surface again. Now, as diesel boils at anywhere between 360 and 500 degrees then I ran a blow lamp gently over the wood and lots of fumes were given off. Apart from a few brown patches where I wasn't quick enough to remove the flame it dried out. Now I know that you will be taking a short intake of breath at the idea of diesel, wood and a naked flame in the confines of a boat, I took the box home and did it outside.

However, I notice that B&Q do a two setting hot air gun for paint removal. What if this was used? It goes up to 600 degrees and there is no flame.

So there you have it. Gently heat the wood up to 600 degrees, all the diesel (and water) flashes off as vapour and Bob's your uncle. Not sure what it would do to the varnish or glue on plywood. What do you think?

But be warned that is well above the autoignition temperature of diesel. ( 210°C according to online sources)

 

[Deleted member 36384]

A good garden party torch is an upright log that has had the top criss crossed with a chain saw to about 12" deep. If the criss crossed area is left to soak in diesel for a few hours, it will then burn for about 3 hours. Looks good, very manly compared to bamboo garden lanterns.

 

[Woodlouse]

A little tip that may prove useful. I had some diesel which had escaped in to the bilges and had combined with some bilge water. This soaked in to a wooden box stowed there and the wood became saturated. I removed the box and tried to let it dry out, the water went but the diesel didn't. Detergent (washing up liquid) didn't work as the surface was clean until the rest of the diesel seeped up to the surface again. Now, as diesel boils at anywhere between 360 and 500 degrees then I ran a blow lamp gently over the wood and lots of fumes were given off. Apart from a few brown patches where I wasn't quick enough to remove the flame it dried out. Now I know that you will be taking a short intake of breath at the idea of diesel, wood and a naked flame in the confines of a boat, I took the box home and did it outside.

However, I notice that B&Q do a two setting hot air gun for paint removal. What if this was used? It goes up to 600 degrees and there is no flame.

So there you have it. Gently heat the wood up to 600 degrees, all the diesel (and water) flashes off as vapour and Bob's your uncle. Not sure what it would do to the varnish or glue on plywood. What do you think?

Seems like an idea for emergencies if you had to get the diesel out quick. I find time is the best cure for hard woods at least. Diesel will eventually evaporate on its own and any discolouration will weather out before too long.

 

[Kelpie]

Best firewood I ever had was the remnants of a pitch pine on oak boat. The oak keel had years worth of diesel soaked into it, and a lump of that on the fire certainly gave off a healthy glow.