Old Blind Dog Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 My "nephew in law" is going through a program to become an aircraft mecahnic (he worked on A-10s in the USAF in Iraq and Afghanistan). Anyway, he got some jet fuel on his shirt the other day, and my niece is at a loss as to how to get out the smell. Any suggestions (preferably based on real experience rather than theory)? TIA cheers Old Blind Dog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin_sam_2000 Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 My "nephew in law" is going through a program to become an aircraft mecahnic (he worked on A-10s in the USAF in Iraq and Afghanistan). Anyway, he got some jet fuel on his shirt the other day, and my niece is at a loss as to how to get out the smell. Any suggestions (preferably based on real experience rather than theory)?TIA cheers Old Blind Dog as far as I know...its there for good. I work at an FBO and I get fuel spilled on me on a daily basis. multiple washings, dry cleanings, even a barrel of fabreze* couldn't get the smell out. It would be agood idea to get a set of work clothes and NEVER work in your home clothes. Sean * slight exageration here!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CW4 Erick Swanberg Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 A match will work :) haha other than repeated washings thats about all you can do always have some type of stuff on the flight suit at the end of the day Erick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
F106A Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Having seven years experience as a KC-135 crew chief (read - A LOT OF JP-8!!), and three years as a C-130 Flight Engineer I can speak with some authority that it will not go away. Especially if you get a direct spill on your uniform or boots. Black boots will never be able to be shined again. You will throw them away. (I threw two pair in the trash just for that reason.) Any BDUs that took a direct hit with JP-8 didn't last very long, but we wore coveralls for the most part when I was a crew chief, and those stayed in my locker. The leather boots always seemed to take the worst of it for me. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I worked a military flightline for 23 years and it does wash out. Our coveralls always came back smelling "fresh as a daisy" but I have no idea what they used. Fuel is harder to get out but will after repeated washes in hot soapy water. I think the reason flight crews can't get the smell out is they wear the same clothing for weeks on end. I regularly turned in my coveralls for cleaning. FLightcrews are forced to travel in their gear and wear it for much longer periods of time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Try washing with a little bit of vinegar in washing machine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 why on earth would you even TRY to get the smell out?? (Sarcasm boys) I like the smell of a flightsuit that is not too dingy, with a 'tad' of jet fuel odor. Not avgas tho, that makes me dizzy. Cheers H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Ohhhh, just enjoy it. Nothing quite like the smell of jet fuel! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 (edited) Strictly speaking, anything that smells is volatile, meaning it will evaporate. Leave the clothes out in the sun for an extended period and the smell will eventually go away. Of course extended and eventually are the key words here :) I've no idea what the half-life of Jet-A might be. Edited May 15, 2010 by mkimages Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Actually, a quick Google for How to get jet fuel smell out of clothes provides this page which suggests soaking the clothes in boat bilge cleaner, which apparently emulsifies petroleum products so they are easily washed out. ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Luckeeeee! I got the smell of I-4, I-275, and the smells of food from three little girls eating in my truck...... Daughters are great but I cannot believe how they can trash a truck! -Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dylan Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 i find regular laundry detergent works fine. just make sure you wash your work clothes seperate from the good clothes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pigsty Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 I worked a military flightline for 23 years and it does wash out. Our coveralls always came back smelling "fresh as a daisy" but I have no idea what they used. And how far up your legs did the trousers finish by the time you got rid of them? :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Try castrol super clean in the washer, about a cup per load. I have used it to get motor oil off clothes, cooking oil and other oily based substances. Assuming it works for motor oil, I am guessing it would work for jet fuel. Line dry though, high heat and volatile vapors are a bad combo Ric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ol Crew Dog Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Try a can of coke .... 20 years on the flightline.... Worked for my wife..... Try castrol super clean in the washer, about a cup per load. I have used it to get motor oil off clothes, cooking oil and other oily based substances.Assuming it works for motor oil, I am guessing it would work for jet fuel. Line dry though, high heat and volatile vapors are a bad combo Ric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Britaholic Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Worked in oil refineries for 40 years making the stuff, never mix home and work clothes, but our overalls went to an industrial laundry firm and came back fresh smelling, think they were steam cleaned. Cheers Den Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 I've been a mech in the Navy for thirteen years, and get fuel on me EVERY day, I found that just using detergent and a can of coke works good. I usually wear my coveralls for two weeks or so before I decide to change the oil in them, and they get done smelling like a mountain breeze:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantom ordie Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Napalm was mixed with AVgas."I like the smell of Napalm in the morning." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pbcheez Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 i put some coca cola in along with the detergent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zerosystem Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 have to teach him not to let the jets **** on his leg, he'll never get any respect that way... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thanks for the coke idea gents! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook498 Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 I find that working around JP 5, if I get a direct splash, dish soap smeared onto the stain, and then regular washing works well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 And how far up your legs did the trousers finish by the time you got rid of them? I wore my ginch under my coveralls. I hung up my uniform each day in my locker. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thanks for the coke idea gents! First time I heard the Coke trick too. I hope Pepsi works too, I'd hate to waste a good Coke. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Although, now that I think about it, spending every day for thirteen years working with the stuff, I've kind of become oblivious to the smell, especially when we work in fuel cells. The stuff is everywhere in the shop, in parts, on people, dripped on the floor from time to time, my keyboard probably smells like it too:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.