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I was going through my guitar finishing supplies today and found a small, full bottle. I can't recall why I would have ever picked it up and apparently, it's outlawed in paint strippers etc. Can anyone think of any uses for this stuff for finishing or guitar stripping/building that I'm not aware of or does it go to the hazardous chemicals dump?

I have a vague recollection that methylene dichloride was the Plexiglas solvent that I used as a kid. If it is outlawed, it is dangerous, so why do you want to find an excuse to keep it? Whatever it was I used seemed to also be a vehicle to carry other toxic substances through the capillary walls and into the blood stream.

I used it years ago for fusing plexiglas laminates. Actually taught to use it in a high school shop class. I'm still around, so I guess it wasn't too bad, but it's nasty stuff.

Dave

I don’t believe it is illegal. Just illegal to sell retail when it is an ingredient in strippers.it is an industrial strength stripper.

Thanks for the replies. I'll probably keep it around for a while because it may be worth a fortune in a future without lacquer or anything else that could kill us.

It was such a great paint stripper! I don't have to strip instruments often, but recently I had to and nothing on the store shelf works worth a dang with out it.

_________________
“ The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away” Pablo Picasso

Methylene Chloride may not be a strong carcinogen, and may be O.K. to use on an occasional basis in a well ventilated area. Methylene chloride metabolizes to CO (carbon monoxide) which combines with hemoglobin and even more strongly with myoglobin and can cause myocardial depression. If used on a daily basis for prolonged periods Methylene chloride metabolization may create enough carbon monoxide in a person's system to cause heart problems and possibly death.
At one time stripping and refinishing furniture using chemical strippers was common. I think it is less so now.
A brief excerpt from a better source than myself that explains it better -

"Toxicokinetics
Absorption of inhaled carbon monoxide occurs in the gas exchange region of the respiratory tract following inhalation. After absorption methylene chloride is metabolized in the liver to carbon monoxide. The half-life of carbon monoxide after exposure to methylene chloride can be prolonged due to continued absorption and metabolism. Most carbon monoxide binds reversibly to hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells; smaller amounts remain in solution or bind to cellular cytochromes. The absorption of the carbon monoxide molecule by Hb is a function of the alveolar partial pressures of carbon monoxide and oxygen, and the concentrations of carbon monoxide and oxygen in blood. Carbon monoxide's affinity for hemoglobin is 200–250 times greater than that of oxygen. Carboxyhemoglobin is completely dissociable, and carbon monoxide is liberated and eliminated through the lungs after exposure to carbon monoxide ceases. Small amounts are oxidized to carbon dioxide.

After binding to Hb to displace oxygen and form carboxyhemoglobin, carbon monoxide is transferred rapidly throughout the body, where it produces asphyxia. The majority of the body burden exists as carboxyhemoglobin, bound to hemoglobin of red blood cells, while ∼10% is present in extravascular space.

Carbon monoxide is eliminated via the lungs. Dissociation and excretion of carbon monoxide occur rapidly after cessation of exposure but slow as carboxyhemoglobin levels decrease. Cardiovascular injury can result from carboxymyoglobin formation and vasodilation from cellular effects of carbon monoxide. Clinical neurological effects and any delayed neurological sequelae can be attributed to asphyxia as well as lipid peroxidation, and hypotension, which induce ischemic-reperfusion injury."

It has killed quite a few people who used it without adequate ventilation. I would not keep it around, especially if you and others in your household do not recognize the dangers.

You could send it to me - I'm "dying" to use it again!
But seriously - if you are careful storing it, as you should be with chemicals and many household products, and take reasonable precautions when using it, it is one of the best "strippers" you may find. When it was sold in the big box store many folks didn't take it seriously enough to adequately protect themselves (myself included).

Thanks Clay. It's a small brand new bottle. Maybe 1/2 a cup or so. I'm sure it will come in handy sometime. Don't be surprised if I come back in the future and ask what it's for again!

Most heavy strippers have used use meth chloride in the past . The heaviest container at the store is the one with the most amount of meth chloride. I/ve been using it this past week to remove a finish from a 12 string guitar lots of paper towels, steel wool and solvent and an open space. I use goof off . paint thinner and alcohol for cleanup,