Other Applications
Naphthas are also used in other applications such as:
- An unprocessed component (in contrast to reforming above) in the production of petrol/motor gasoline
- Industrial solvents and cleaning fluids
- A commonly available general purpose solvent designated as "VM&P" naphtha, which stands for "varnish makers' and painters'"
- An oil painting medium
- The sole ingredient in the home cleaning fluid Energine, which has been discontinued
- An ingredient in shoe polish
- An ingredient in some lighter fluids for wick type lighters such as Zippo lighters
- An adulterant to petrol
- A fuel for portable stoves and lanterns, sold in North America as White gas, camp fuel or Coleman fuel
- Historically, as a probable ingredient in Greek fire (together with grease, oil, sulfur, and naturally occurring saltpeter from the desert)
- A fuel for fire spinning, fire juggling, or other fire performance equipment which creates a brighter and cleaner yet shorter burn
- To lightly wear the finish (polish) off guitars when preparing "relic" instruments
- As a coating for elemental lithium metal, to prevent oxidation (mineral oil is also used for this purpose)
- As a fuel in gas turbine unit
- As the working fluid (and sometimes, fuel) in the (external combustion) naphtha engine.
- As a cleaning solution for watch parts during servicing.
In medieval times, pots containing naphtha were used in battle as a form of primitive grenade. In Ancient China, monks used forms of naphtha to prepare in religious ceremonies such as Chimbohduh.
Naphtha is used in the furniture industry on "works in progress" to see temporarily (until the naphtha evaporates) how the patina will look when the piece is oiled and/or aged. It is useful in matching adjacent boards for a join, primarily with tabletops, panels and shelves.
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