Naphtha - Ronsonol Lighter Fluid No Longer Contains It...

[risingsun]

On the advice of Ron Zorn (not throwing you under the bus here, Ron), I was going to try and loosen a cap jewel with some application of naphtha in the form of Ronsonol lighter fluid. I've got an old can of Ronsonol here that clearly states that it contains naphtha, but as it is old, and the fluid level is low, I stopped by the local drugstore to grab a new bottle. Well the new bottle (which I ended up leaving on the shelf at the store) said nothing about containing naphtha. After returning home and doing a little searching on-line, I find that Zippo bought Ronson in 2010 and changed the formula so that it no longer contains naphtha.

 

So, here's what I'd like to know... Ron - are you still using old bottles/old formula or have you successfully switched to the new formula? Or are you just buying a quart/gallon of naphtha from a paint store? Other brand? Do you use the VM&P Naphtha? http://www.lowes.com/pd_247184-78-QVM46_0__?productId=3162199

 

 

I also read that Coleman fuel (of which I have plenty) is colloquially called white gas but that it is essentially naphtha. Any hesitation on using this?

 

I'd be interested in thoughts from more experienced users of this method before I go dunking pen parts...

Edited July 26, 2013 by risingsun

[Ron Z]

Good to know. I use a lot of naptha in the shop, so I buy it by the gallon. I also buy alcohol by the gallon and ink by the liter - just a matter of scale. Like the kettles they used in the dining hall kitchen in college. It is the VM&P (varnish makers and painters) Naptha. My guess is that it came at about the time that they decided to limit our access to oil based paints.

 

You can buy naptha by the quart at most hardware stores, and then fill the Rapido Eze bottles you have lying around. (I've accumulated quite a few of them as well).

 

I have used Coleman fuel when camping. Very different from naptha, though it may contain naptha. Much more volitile. Sheaffer used mineral spirits, which is still available.

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

We also buy and use the Naptha that you can buy at the hardware stores, no problems with using it that I have found. It is fairly inexpensive to purchase if you are just buying a small can of it!

[Paul Raposo]

I just checked the bottle of Ronsonol lighter fluid I bought two weeks ago, and it says it contains Light Petroleum Distillate, which is the $10 word for naphtha, or white gas.

 

This is from Ronson's MSDS sheet for their lighter fluid:

Content Classification
SOLVENT NAPHTHA (PETROLEUM), LIGHT ALIPH.;
LOW BOILING POINT NAPHTH >99%

 

Further seartching found this:

 

Very Light Oils or Light Distillates
This oil type includes Jet Fuel, Gasoline, Kerosene, Light Virgin Naphtha, Heavy Virgin Naphtha, Petroleum Ether, Petroleum Spirit, and Petroleum Naphtha.

 

What did your bottle say, risingsun?

[risingsun]

The one at the drugstore said 'light petroleum distillate'... From what I have read, naphtha takes many forms, Coleman fuel included. I went to the hardware store and bought a can or Sunnyside Naphtha for $8. Haven't given it a try yet, as I have been fussing with a stuck speedline plunger. Grrr.

[Ron Z]

The MSDS is always a good thing to check if they don't tell you on the label. Why should they tell you it's naphtha if you could go out and buy a quart for $8 or a gallon for about $16 - a heck of a lot cheaper. Coleman fuel BTW contains a lot of other stuff not found in naphtha.

[Paul Raposo]

I went to the hardware store and bought a can or Sunnyside Naphtha for $8.

 

Why should they tell you it's naphtha if you could go out and buy a quart for $8 or a gallon for about $16 - a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

When I tried to buy naphtha at my local hardware store, the sales guy asked, "You trying to blow something up?" So once again I settled for the Ronsonol--at $4 for a small 142ml squeeze bottle

[risingsun]

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this... Thanks!

 

Got my vac plunger working again (shaft of the plunger and the flared piece that holds the diaphragm in the barrel were frozen together!) and am about to give the cap jewel a dose of naphtha...

[Paul Raposo]

Got my vac plunger working again (shaft of the plunger and the flared piece that holds the diaphragm in the barrel were frozen together!) and am about to give the cap jewel a dose of naphtha...

 

Sounding good, risingsun! Remember to post some pics of the finished pen

Edited July 27, 2013 by Paul Raposo

[risingsun]

Found an article discussing the formula change in the Ronsonol and apparently the original formula had Benzene in it, and the more recent formula has removed that... I do think I'll refill my nice old metal Ronsonol can with the hardware store naphtha... It's a handy size with a flip spout cap.

[balson]

i picked up some zippo brand lighter fluid that was also listed as containing "light petroleum distillate" and it worked fine for my needs (cleaning tape glue off of hard rubber pens)

[Paul Raposo]

I do think I'll refill my nice old metal Ronsonol can with the hardware store naphtha... It's a handy size with a flip spout cap.

 

Oh man! I miss those cans. Memories of watching dad fill up his favorite lighter.

[risingsun]

 

Sounding good, risingsun! Remember to post some pics of the finished pen

 

Paul, they're nothing overly special to brag about, but here's the finished product from yesterday's efforts and this morning's polishing... It's a great pair of all black Parker Duofold Vacumatics from the "striped" series that I picked up in two separate eBay auctions in the past week. The larger of the two (in the back; size difference is much more perceptible with the caps on) is a Junior from 1941. The other, in front, is a Sub-Debutante from 1940. I will say they cleaned up nicely with only moderate ambering.

 

Sorry about the so-so picture.

Edited July 27, 2013 by risingsun

[Paul Raposo]

 

Paul, they're nothing overly special to brag about

 

I disagree, risingsun, those are great pens

 

Juniors, and Debs are my favorite size, and being vacs makes them special.

 

Great work on servicing those two, risingsun!

[risingsun]

Thanks, Paul. Your enthusiasm and kudos are appreciated. These fit in nicely with my other "stripeys", one of which had to be sent off to Ron for lathe work as the section was so glued in with shellac that neither of us could bust it loose with heat...

[OcalaFlGuy]

I'd like to think BOTH Risingsun and El Zorno for this thread.

 

I have my almost full approximately 3 year old bottle of Ronson lighter fluid Because Ron suggested it for a low grade lube/degunk

for P-51 jewels (and I use it for Estie screw in jewels). I have my bottle because of Ron.

 

Of course, I had to run check. Mine has Naphtha all over the bottle in several places.

 

Thanks Risingsun for a Great thread with some needed information.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[pencils+pens]

I also read that Coleman fuel (of which I have plenty) is colloquially called white gas but that it is essentially naphtha.

I did a double take when reading that and then did some research. When I was growing up in the 1960s, "white gas" was only sold by Amoco. It was their premium unleaded gasoline. It was called "white gas" since it was clear. Lead or an introduced dye made leaded gas yellow.

 

Amoco "white gas" is not the same as the white gas discussed in this thread.

Edited July 29, 2013 by pencils+pens