Thread: How do u dispose of turps after use?

Originally Posted by inferno6688

Hey guys,

I am just curious as to how everyone gets rid of there turps after using it to clean brushes etc. I am currently painting some enamel so all the turps is full of paint!

I don't know about Sydney, but out here in the bush we tip all our waste products down the centre of the nearest strainer fence post e.g. Sump oil, turps, paint and any other waste product.

Helps to preserve the post and kill off any white ants that may be lurking about.

I just leave the turps in a open container and let it evaporate and then throw the solids left behind in the bin

There is no friendly way to get rid of this stuff, either it goes into the ground via the rubbish bin/strainer post or it evaporates,.

Even if you use it to light a fire its the same, it all ends up in our enviroment.

I would do what you feel best about in the way of disposal.

Al

I seperate the solids out by the simple expedient of leaving a good brush in the jar for a week or two. Not planned that way, but tihS happens.

I pour off the turps into plastic 4L containers (as used for engine oil, etc.), clearly marked USED TURPS in BIG letters with Texta and stack 'em by the kerb on hard garbage days. Like my old 'puta parts, they've usually disappeared before the next armful leaves the shed.

Guess it must be worth something to someone. Either that or they collect 4L containers. :confused:

G'day Inferno6688,

I generally pour the turps over weeds in the garden, others might pour it onto snails or ants and light them up but I'm not into that anymore.

Ever tried salt on the back of a cane toad? :eek:

From the Australian Paint Manufacturers Association website.
"PAINT THINNERS, turpentine, mineral spirits and solvents should never be poured down a drain or the storm sewer. With the following simple steps, you can reuse these types of products. Let used turpentine or brush cleaners sit in a closed container until the paint particles settle out. Then pour off the clear liquid which can be reused. Add an absorbent (e.g. cat litter) to the remaining residue until it becomes completely dry.

Then see this thread for the pro's'n'cons on this and more.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...352#post313352

i have tried salt on slugs!!! WOW!!

Yeah i have been pouring into the garden, but i thought imight look for othweways to aviod contaminating the soil.

Evaporation doesn't sound too bad.

I guess its the same story of getting rid of motor oil It just so hard to correctly get rid of these liquids

I just keep the old stuff in a 4 litre can, after a week or so most of the paint pigments settle to the bottom so clean turps can be poured off the top.

I clean brushes with dirty turps first then rinse in clean turps.

see http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/Waste/solv...%20disposal%22
In our area the local water board have collection points for safe disposal
(they put it down the drain???:eek
In my experience local councils will NOT collect any liquid waste - be it paint, oil, solvent or old garden products to go into landfill.

Originally Posted by echnidna

I just keep the old stuff in a 4 litre can, after a week or so most of the paint pigments settle to the bottom so clean turps can be poured off the top.

I clean brushes with dirty turps first then rinse in clean turps.

ditto

Ditto again.

Originally Posted by Waldo

Ever tried salt on the back of a cane toad? :eek:

Does it improve the flavour?

Just a variation on a theme. I minimise my use of turps by having 4 four litre bottles with progressively cleaner turps in them. First wash with the first bottle, second wash with the second, dispose into first, third with third bottle, dispose into second---well you get the picture. Cuts use to absolute minimum. Only final rinse off is "used". When finally bottle 1 is to full/dirty, I use the council service for "dangerous materials". Using thios concept, they come around just often enough.
jacko

In the past I have had several methods but these days.

the dirty turps bottle is first port of call ...... re use.
If the turps is a bit thick or uggly it now goes into the "Sludge bucket" along with waste thinners ( which if you are cleaning spray guns is generated in volume) and any styrofoam packaging that may come my way ( that comes in volume with sound gear ).
The "sludge" is then used as "end seal".

I used to make end seal using clean solvent untill I realised that is a total waste.
Basicaly the slovent evaporates...... but isn't that what solvent does anyway.

cheers

I filter it with my kidneys.