Re: toxicity of sealants

["Howard Chandler" <chandler@xxxxxxxxx>]

Concerned Harpers,

I'm going to go on a limb and guess that the finish used on the 1923 Herring
is not "liquid Paraffin" , known on this side of the pond (if I'm not
mistaken) as mineral oil. I say this because, while mineral oil is quite
commonly used as a "finish" for things like cutting boards and salad bowls
(not to mention the medical applications), it is not in the true sense a
finish, since it does not polymerize. That is, is does not form a skin like,
say boiled linseed oil, varnish, or urethane. What I see when I look at the
one 1923 I have is a thoroughly cured finish. Just what was used is up for
conjecture. Assuming it is one of the commonly available non-toxic finishes,
it is most likely either shellac (which has been dissolved in an
appropriately pure form of alcohol) or a water based poly. The test for
shellac is to rub with alcohol. If it dissolves, it's shellac.

Whatever the finish, it would seem in the best interest for Herring to clear
up this matter ASAP as it may be off-putting to potential customers.

Howard Chandler

- --- Now where'd I put that can of everclear?



- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "G." <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: toxicity of sealants


>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "G." <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 2:52 AM
> Subject: Re: toxicity of sealants
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 17:08:48 +0100
> > From: "Robert Venables" <robert.venables@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: toxicity of sealants
> >
> > What is being referred to, I guess, is what we know in the UK as Liquid
> > Parafin, a medically approved ( and odourless) laxative.
> > (................... insert funny comment here)
> > Rob V
> > </quote>
> >
> >
> > Hello Rob V.
> > Yes I have a bottle of Paraffin Liquid here which I bought over the
> counter
> > a while ago.  Franz Chmel & Jens Bunge recommend its use as a slide
> > lubricant.
> >
> > As BBQ Bob lives in the USA its safe to assume he's using USA language
and
> > assumptions.
> >
> > Whatever the case, no matter where you are in the world, there is a big
> > difference between Paraffin Liquid and Paraffin Oil, and I think it is
> > reasonable to expect people who are giving out information and facts are
> > careful about important distinctions like this which is why I commented
on
> > it.   You cannot drink Paraffin oil and safely expect "internal
> lubrication"
> > without some nasty side effects.
> >
> > BBQ Bob has stated that Hering are using Paraffin Oil to seal their wood
> > combs.  Perhaps he could confirm that this is what he meant.
> >
> > G.
>
> Hi,
> Parrafin Oil is what I clearly recall being said on a post here. To
further
> clarify, this wasn't what Carlos Bertolazzi personally said, as he
mentioned
> in an email to me that they tried several different sealants and then
> settled on the one that presently works with the wood they use on those
> combs. Like I said, before you sick the attack dogs, that is what someone
on
> this list had posted, and Carlos had niot come out and said exactly what
it
> was to me, and the person who made that particular post was from somewhere
> in Europe. I had contacted Dino DeLima at their US office in Miami, FL,
and
> could not get the actual scoop on it, saying that "it was a secret." If
you
> remember, I said according to someone who posted on the list!!!! Cool the
> attack dog mentality!
>
> Sincerely,
> Barbeque Bob Maglinte
> Boston, MA
>
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