How Something You Spray On Your Kids Can Melt Your Car’s Paint

Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago to Science
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This is interesting, and a problem. Want a cheap way to trash someones car? Spray bug repellent on it. No need to slash tires... nasty..

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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yep, we use it at work to simulate acid for drills to clean up, it PHs at 2-3 just like any good acid. It contains phosphoric acid, which we also used to use to etch wafers. I drink very little of it, but it is good for just that deal.
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 10 years, 11 months ago
    A few years back on one of my fishing trips I discovered an old pair of fishing pliers buried in the mud. I could tell they were well designed and quite useful at one time. I remembered something my dad told me (from his experience wrenching on cars) about using coca cola to remove ruse. So, I took the pliers home, soaked them in a glass of coke for a few days and have used them ever since. Came out looking like new. I no longer drink the stuff...even though I love the taste. Haha...
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Don, that may be but how often does that occur? I am willing to bet less than 10% of the time, and this is just spray a strip down the length of a car as you walk by. Since it didn't change to white until overnight.
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  • Posted by DonSawyer 10 years, 11 months ago
    "trash someone's car" Keep in mind that YOU are responsible for the vandalism you or your children cause whether you do it by key scratch or chemical it can cost you thousands.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I love that story. The only big drinker in our family was my grandpa and he only drank the cheapest whisky he could get. It was called "Corby's" and he'd polish off a pint at a time, particularly when playing cards.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Doesn't work for me but it does work for some. Body Chemistry? My quote on the DEET was 25% of the 100% product. Woodsman Insect Repellent. Someone told me some years ago 55 was the optimum best age to start smoking as by the time cancer got you - you would be dead anyway. Some years later I found out I'm at the optimum age for using DEETS for the same reason. My Dad who lived to 94 just two weeks shy of 95 started on Jack Daniels at 80 one shot every evening for the same reason. But he had smoked a pipe since age 25 or 30. He even showed a prescription form the doctor for the booze. We switched him to some less expensive military commisary brand when the prices on everything went to the moon. just used the same JD bottle.

    ;
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That was the new big competitor for Joy. Joy's claim to fame is sudsing in salt water. On the boats we used it for everything then saved rain water for a final rinse.
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, I have seen DEET used for years, and it has always been listed as very innocuous.I am not sd sure anymore...
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I don't see that happening,simply because it seems less noxious than other options at this time. I did find there are some homespun recipes useing vinegar and lemon juice in a mix. Not sure if it would smell any better...
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It all goes to what is a hazard and what isn't. No one makes something and then tells you it will eat your skin off or cause cancer. But then, it all also has to be seen as part of a picture that includes you will die at some point. Perspective I guess..
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, I looked it up, and there has been studies for 30 years now. It seems Talc is mined and used to include high levels of asbestos, which was supposedly outlawed in the 70's. I went through several articles and they seemed to all add up to a 50/50 split with no conclusive evidence. But if you convince enough people to sue, they just settle out of court and the attorneys make their gold, while each participant gets 5.00 and a coupon for a free bottle of powder. There have been lawsuits in several states, so it seems they drive the ambulances to another state once they are done. James Sokolov comes to the forefront in the lawsuit records...
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, we use Acetone to remove residues in tools for semiconductor manufacturing, and what we are removing probably will not come off with DEET. So it probably beats it, but then I also would not dip my kids in it either....
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  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Reminds me of my first encounters with Dawn (R) Dish Detergent, some decades ago... it sucked every drop of moisture or oil out of my hands to the point where a half hour of hand cream just MIGHT make my skin feel 'normal.'

    It's lots milder now, apparently, but the memories linger.
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  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    and the corner of our garage versus the bumper of my wife's car.... although Goof-Off miraculously corrects That 'Problem' without, apparently any side effects on the car... or me.
    :)
    Life is dangerous and no one escapes alive...
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  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Looking forward to the data those ambulance chasers will be sharing... Yeah, like talc and some fragrance in the bottle can do that?

    I'm awaiting the proof, and as yet, I don't think there's been ANY. Sort of like folks that buy patents and then sue companies for patent infringement.

    Real "contributors" to the well-being of society...

    Not.
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  • Posted by $ Radio_Randy 10 years, 11 months ago
    This is the reason I remove my glasses when applying DEET and don't touch the plastic lenses. I've known about this issue for years, but continue to use the repellent because bug bites suck!
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 10 years, 11 months ago
    Bet it works. Bet it is easy to remove with dish washing detergent. Soap sure takes it right off my skin.

    This goes along with using Permethrin to make your own "bug off" clothes. I did this before going on safari. It works wonderfully. Be careful applying it though!

    Bug off clothes are a huge premium. You can buy sprays to do your own for about $30 for a couple of shirts...or you can buy Permethrin in high concentrations as bug killer, dilute it yourself, and treat your clothes for a fraction of the price. My wife, brother and I spend 10 days in Africa on safari with not one bug bite.
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  • Posted by $ jdg 10 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If California ever bans it we'll rise in rebellion. The water shortage here has resulted in mosquitoes running wild and infecting people with Lyme disease. The county has been advising people to use DEET and drain pools of standing water for the last 3 years now.
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