My detailing shelf exploded...

The captain did do an investigation.

So here's what they determined. There was a bag of trash laying near the detailing shelf (we just moved in and haven't gotten our trash bins yet from the trash company). They think that lit; and then the chemicals (they didn't say which) accelerated the fire. The fire was definitely accelerated. It was far too hot to have just been the trash bag. No chemicals in the trash bag; just the usual stuff. Wrappers, empty cans, etc.

From memory; what I know to be COMPLETELY gone having left no trace; there's likely more; but from what I can remember being gone and was unable to find a "carcass" for.

Iron-X
Detailer Pro paint sealant
Chemical guys clay lube
Chemical guys pad cleaner

Other notable examples having been heavily damaged;
Griots garage wash soap

Most microfiber towels seemed to burn slower, leaving charred/melted messes. The chemical guys microfibers seemed to "melt" more than burn.

Trying to remember what all was even there.

The second to bottom shelf had my polisher and it was heavily melted. Near that was an aerosol can or two or fire spray. Full unused. I don't use that junk but it's something someone got me as a gift at some point. I'm wondering if that is what exploded. Just the heat causing the aerosol can to explode. I don't think it was a case of a particular chemical being exceptionally flammable.

Were all done with the cleanup though. All Repainted and rebuilt. Good as new! Now to just start piecing back together detailing supplies.
 
I have an old Porter Cable 7336 model that I could spare you if you need it. Still runs well, just doesn't have the butt that the newer 7424xp or the GG6 has.

I have a flex that I use primarily now, I don't think there's anything the PC can do that the flex can't, so let me know.
 
Romans5.8 said:
The captain did do an investigation.

So here's what they determined. There was a bag of trash laying near the detailing shelf (we just moved in and haven't gotten our trash bins yet from the trash company). They think that lit; and then the chemicals (they didn't say which) accelerated the fire. The fire was definitely accelerated. It was far too hot to have just been the trash bag. No chemicals in the trash bag; just the usual stuff. Wrappers, empty cans, etc.

From memory; what I know to be COMPLETELY gone having left no trace; there's likely more; but from what I can remember being gone and was unable to find a "carcass" for.

Iron-X
Detailer Pro paint sealant
Chemical guys clay lube
Chemical guys pad cleaner

Other notable examples having been heavily damaged;
Griots garage wash soap

Most microfiber towels seemed to burn slower, leaving charred/melted messes. The chemical guys microfibers seemed to "melt" more than burn.

Trying to remember what all was even there.

The second to bottom shelf had my polisher and it was heavily melted. Near that was an aerosol can or two or fire spray. Full unused. I don't use that junk but it's something someone got me as a gift at some point. I'm wondering if that is what exploded. Just the heat causing the aerosol can to explode. I don't think it was a case of a particular chemical being exceptionally flammable.

Were all done with the cleanup though. All Repainted and rebuilt. Good as new! Now to just start piecing back together detailing supplies.
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With so much plastics and chemicals, it is easy to see why the fire spread at a fast rate. The cans of products probably was your explosion, unless proved otherwise.
Fires spread much faster than years ago and one reason being the amount of plastics used in our everyday lives. The amount of BTU's released is far greater than when items were made of natural materials.
Very Thankful that no one was hurt or worse.
 
Wow. I just read this. Thank god everyone is OK.

That being said. I do have some things I will donate free of charge if you want them. My theory is to pay it forward. I had a bunch of friends and people I didn't know help me replace my built engine in my SS Camaro a while back after a sour deal with someone.

I have a Shurhold DA polisher with a 5in backing plate and carrying bag. I mainly use my flex now. Here is what the polisher looks like. Works really good.

http://autogeek.commerce-search.net...togeek.net/shurhold-dual-action-polisher.html

And I also have pretty much brand new 32oz bottles of M105 and M205 that you can have too.

Just send me your address and there yours.
 
The generosity in this thread is just overwhelming. Just the thought that everyone is willing to do that is pretty awesome.
 
Romans, i don't have a spare machine or any spare MF's at the moment (actually need to order more MF's myself) but i have an abundance of polishing products i could spare. How are you set on compounds, polishes, pads etc.? I would love to help you out but would like to help you with things you need and would use. Don't be shy...i know you may be hesitant to specify some things you lost and would like to replace but on the other hand i'd like to hook you up with something you would like to use or try.

Basically, i don't want to send a fellow Geek my old "gifts" collecting dust!

I was glad to hear your fixed everything up so fast. And i think we can relate brotha! The outpouring of generosity, from my perspective anyway, comes from a shared perspective and passion for detailing. I think every single one of us would be devastated with such an occurence. We can understand what it takes to accumulate a collection of materials and products over time and can almost "feel" what it would be like to lose it all to a fire. Yes, they are just things and you and your family are fine...that's the good news...but we can all share in the "barn raisin'" to get you quickly back on your detailing feet cus we know what it would mean if it happened to us.
 
Puckman said:
Romans, i don't have a spare machine or any spare MF's at the moment (actually need to order more MF's myself) but i have an abundance of polishing products i could spare. How are you set on compounds, polishes, pads etc.? I would love to help you out but would like to help you with things you need and would use. Don't be shy...i know you may be hesitant to specify some things you lost and would like to replace but on the other hand i'd like to hook you up with something you would like to use or try.

Basically, i don't want to send a fellow Geek my old "gifts" collecting dust!

I was glad to hear your fixed everything up so fast. And i think we can relate brotha! The outpouring of generosity, from my perspective anyway, comes from a shared perspective and passion for detailing. I think every single one of us would be devastated with such an occurence. We can understand what it takes to accumulate a collection of materials and products over time and can almost "feel" what it would be like to lose it all to a fire. Yes, they are just things and you and your family are fine...that's the good news...but we can all share in the "barn raisin'" to get you quickly back on your detailing feet cus we know what it would mean if it happened to us.
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My pads actually survived, they were on the very top shelf and as the fire spread, the shelf sort of buckled and bent and the pads fell clear of the fire. At least I THINK they survived; I haven't yet tried to clean them. They are caked in dirt, ash, etc. etc.

Another awesome auto-geeker is sending me some M105/M205. What do you guys think. Would you try to salvage those filthy pads? They are the chemical guys hex-logic pads. I'm not sure how well they'll clean up. Can I toss them in the washing machine?
 
Romans5.8 said:
My pads actually survived, they were on the very top shelf and as the fire spread, the shelf sort of buckled and bent and the pads fell clear of the fire. At least I THINK they survived; I haven't yet tried to clean them. They are caked in dirt, ash, etc. etc.

Another awesome auto-geeker is sending me some M105/M205. What do you guys think. Would you try to salvage those filthy pads? They are the chemical guys hex-logic pads. I'm not sure how well they'll clean up. Can I toss them in the washing machine?
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Glad I could help you out with a DA polisher and some M105/205.

I would try and save them. Worst case is you can't and best case is you can. I will toss in the rest of my pad rejuvenator as well. Its DP pad rejuvenator. Put a little in a bucket of water and scrub them with a nylon brush. Then I toss them in the washing machine on the rinse cycle then air dry them.
 
I agree with smokinss, i would absolutely and certainly try to clean them as best you can. Do a real good inspection after and i bet you might be pleasantly surprised.

Another fortunate find for you! The good news continues.
 
Thats a horrible situation, glad it turned out to be relatively minor and no one was injured. Whenever there is fire, the potential for disaster is always strong.

When I saw the title I immediately got worried that are all of our detailing supplies potentially dangerous? I am going to double check my shelf area and make sure there is no potential for sparks or anything.
 
Certainly don't want to threadjack here but can any of the chemistry types offer any scientific info on anything we might be using that is flammable? As jaret just mentioned, i too have my curiosity piqued a bit by Romans experience and wondered if it might benefit the community to hear our stuff is either safe or subject to disaster with just the wrong circumstances.

Obviously i would suspect solvents and other things that are obviously flammable should be both handled and stored with caution but how about products we may not think or know about that might be in products we commonly use?

And if i could pick one area of my house that should certainly have a fire plan, it's the garage! Plenty of household chemicals and flammable liquids that i think i keep safe but the thought of losing my detail stash would be very costly to replace.
 
Romans5.8 said:
From memory; what I know to be COMPLETELY gone having left no trace; there's likely more; but from what I can remember being gone and was unable to find a "carcass" for.

Iron-X
Detailer Pro paint sealant
Chemical guys clay lube
Chemical guys pad cleaner

Other notable examples having been heavily damaged;
Griots garage wash soap
Click to expand...

Puckman said:
Certainly don't want to threadjack here but can any of the chemistry types offer any scientific info on anything we might be using that is flammable? As jaret just mentioned, i too have my curiosity piqued a bit by Romans experience and wondered if it might benefit the community to hear our stuff is either safe or subject to disaster with just the wrong circumstances.
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All of the items that Romans5.8 mentioned, with the exception of the sealant, are mostly water, and my guess won't burn (under normal circumstances) and even the sealant might be tough to ignite dropping a match in it.

However, as one of the firemen alluded to, the plastic bottles probably burned--and if the fire was hot enough you would certainly evaporate and probably get some reaction out of what was left of the other ones.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is if you go to the supermarket and buy a chicken, you won't be able to light it on fire with a match, but if you put it in your oven for a day you will certainly be able to burn it up. That seems to be what happened to Romans5.8 detailing supplies, they weren't the cause of the fire but some of them were clearly consumed by it.

So the bottom line would be IMO don't worry about your detailing supplies causing a fire, but do what you can to prevent a fire because you, your detailing supplies, your loved ones, your belongings, your house, car, etc. might be consumed by it.
 
Awesome reply setec, thank you. I suspected it to be relatively safe i guess but i enjoy the science side very much and admit to knowing very little about it.
 
Puckman said:
Awesome reply setec, thank you. I suspected it to be relatively safe i guess but i enjoy the science side very much and admit to knowing very little about it.
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As you noted, there are certainly some solvent-based products like tar remover etc. (although some of the tar removers like Tar-X I think are more limonene-based, not sure) that are definitely flammable. But you still need an ignition source. One thing to think about is your water heater and furnace have flames and if you can get a sufficient vapor concentration you can ignite it, but most solvents today are somewhat less volatile than in the old pre-VOC days. Of course, the trend toward and replacement of old units with high-efficiency ones (water heaters and furnaces) brings the combustion air in from outside which makes it a lot harder for basement/garage vapors to get to the flame.

One of the firemen is much more qualified to speak on this, but my guess is most home fires today are still caused by cigarettes and electrical issues, probably followed by cooking/stove/oven.
 
Yup, the old ignition source. Unfortunately it sounded like Romans had one "delivered" but unfortunate, unintended sources may be just a heating appliance away. Or a garage heater for our northern friends in the winter. Where's your lawnmower gas tank?

My father was a Deputy Chief on the fire dept. Many years ago and also a training instructor. I will never forget his demonstration of the difficulty in getting diesel fuel to burn. It started with a 55 gal. drum of waste diesel fuel. He then lights a wooden match and gradually works his hand up the outside of the barrel and once at the top, simply puts the match out in the fluid. That same barrel of fuel is used later in the day to demonstrate a hazardous fuel fire for practice!

(ok, disconnecting the threadjack and sorry, Romans...back to helping you out my friend).

Just a little info discovery attempt to help others from your unfortunate incident.
 
Puckman said:
My father was a Deputy Chief on the fire dept. Many years ago and also a training instructor. I will never forget his demonstration of the difficulty in getting diesel fuel to burn. It started with a 55 gal. drum of waste diesel fuel. He then lights a wooden match and gradually works his hand up the outside of the barrel and once at the top, simply puts the match out in the fluid. That same barrel of fuel is used later in the day to demonstrate a hazardous fuel fire for practice!

(ok, disconnecting the threadjack and sorry, Romans...back to helping you out my friend).
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Great story, reminds me of natural gas, it can be very explosive but it has a very narrow range of concentration for that to occur. And as you said--I'll try to stop threadjacking!
 
Me too (gonna stop the tangent here) but just one more you might like Setec...

My father is on duty and my mother and i at home decide to light the propane fed grill on the porch and bbq some burgers. I go out to the grill, turn on the tank valve and press the ignition button.

Bammm! A small jet of fire starts coming out somewhere near or at the valve joint on top of the tank!!! I freak, run in to Mom and she's already on the phone to Dad. She hangs up knowing he's on his way and we both continue to freak waiting for the boom! Not 5 minutes later he arrives in the driveway in the Deputy's car, takes the time to back in (weird but firefighters always do that i think) and walks up to the grill.

He then ever so non chalantly simply closes the valve and the fire goes out. He then says "don't touch the grill until i can get another tank" and drives away!
 
The DA polisher, M105/205, pad rejuventor is getting shipped out today!

C'mon guys lets get him back on his feet and going again.
 
Smokinss said:
The DA polisher, M105/205, pad rejuventor is getting shipped out today!

C'mon guys lets get him back on his feet and going again.
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Thank you soooo much! The generosity is extraordinary.

Setec Astronomy said:
All of the items that Romans5.8 mentioned, with the exception of the sealant, are mostly water, and my guess won't burn (under normal circumstances) and even the sealant might be tough to ignite dropping a match in it.

However, as one of the firemen alluded to, the plastic bottles probably burned--and if the fire was hot enough you would certainly evaporate and probably get some reaction out of what was left of the other ones.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is if you go to the supermarket and buy a chicken, you won't be able to light it on fire with a match, but if you put it in your oven for a day you will certainly be able to burn it up. That seems to be what happened to Romans5.8 detailing supplies, they weren't the cause of the fire but some of them were clearly consumed by it.

So the bottom line would be IMO don't worry about your detailing supplies causing a fire, but do what you can to prevent a fire because you, your detailing supplies, your loved ones, your belongings, your house, car, etc. might be consumed by it.
Click to expand...

My thoughts too. I think WHERE the products were in relation to the source of the fire was more important than WHAT the products were. My DA polisher was among the most significantly damaged, it was pretty much at the center of the fire, and naturally those aren't 'flammable', but plastic, when hot enough, will burn. Plastic shelf, plastic bottles, a few solvents. Wasn't hard for a very hot fire to form relatively quickly.

The fact that I can't even find the bottles for those products means that likely what happened is that their plastic bottles completely ignited and burned down to a crisp, evaporating the chemicals. There was a lot of multi-colored 'goop' all over the floor though. I scraped it all up with a scraper; but I'm sure some of the chemicals mixed and heated, mixed with melting plastic, etc. and made the 'goop'.

I wouldn't be running out and blast-proofing your detailing shelves!
 
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