I have been using Weld-On 16 primarily because I’ve always had difficulty finding MEK in anything less than a gallon can (and even that was difficult). I was at my local Ace Hardware and I found “Painter’s Solvent,” which says on the can that it replaces MEK. Has anyone ever seen or tried it before? Thoughts?
Sadly, MEK has been banned here in the People’s Republic of Kalifornia. I bought a quart can shortly before they stopped selling it. If I had known, I would have bought a gallon. I haven’t run out yet but I will eventually so I too am curious as to whether there is a decent substitute. I don’t think acetone works very well.
I have used MEK, and acetone, but I also use “Lacqure Thinner”, in fact I use it more than anything else, but it contains some of both of the others, I’ve been told. We can easily get all of them here in Ottawa…Home Depot, and Crappy Tire carry them.
Fred Mills
Thank you Russ for that detailed post. Very helpful info there. I do a lot of work with acrylics and expanded PVC board in my sign shop job. I use SciGrip 4 for acrylic and it works great for me. For foamed PVC to Foamed PVC I have used the self priming PVC pipe adhesive you can get at the big box stores with good results. I use Weldon 16 at home for lots of modeling uses with generally good results. Last night I tried bonding Foamed PVC board to Styrene (A coupler mounting pad to a Delton Classic frame) with MEK and the joint failed after 10 hours or so dry time, Today I re-joined it with Weldon-16 which I have used for the same job before with great results. I also leaned not to over apply the MEK. I was using it to repair a broken truck mount with a PVC pad and a T-Nut from above. I nearly melted through the frame!
Ray Dunakin said:
Sadly, MEK has been banned here in the People’s Republic of Kalifornia. I bought a quart can shortly before they stopped selling it. If I had known, I would have bought a gallon. I haven’t run out yet but I will eventually so I too am curious as to whether there is a decent substitute. I don’t think acetone works very well.
Why not LOAD UP Ray when you visit a state that has not banned it(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Seems this is very good for acrylics…easy to apply…
https://www.tapplastics.com/product/repair_products/plastic_adhesives/tap_acrylic_cement/130
FYI for Californians, MEK readily available in NV, just a quick trip over the boarder and available at most paint and hardware stores. Minimum size a pint. Best thing is that you can enjoy a day of skiing or gambling while making this purchase.
The USN is no longer using MEK they are changing their instructions in their manuals to use Methyl Propal Ketone (MPK).
http://www.eastman.com/Literature_Center/T/TT33.pdf
http://www.oxea-chemicals.com/fileadmin/user_upload/110503_MEK_Replacement_Tech_Bulletin.pdf
I know this is a quite a bit off topic, so my apologies to the OP.
My Scigrip/Weldon #16 had gone too stiff for me to use. But yesterday I looked up the MSDS and found that MEK is an ingredient. So I picked up some MEK at the local hardware store, and was able to thin the #16 back to a workable consistency.
No apologies needed Cliff. That point is relevant to the question and follows the discussion. Besides, this is Page Two, and per LSC Guidelines the post is fair game for derailing (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
Tried both and the MEK works better, I use the acetone to loosen old glues and joints. Best I have found is Model Masters liquid glue, doesn’t dry too fast and melts the plastics together very well, also use Tamiya wicking liquid glue, it come with a little attached brush and wicks into to seam, Bill
The big box stores that are handy in my area only have MEK in gallon cans, besides being more than I will likely use in a life time, the gallon cans that paint and lacquer thinners, acetone, alcohol and others come in are almost impossible to pour out of without spilling.
The small box stores carry more handy sizes …
I have switched to pure MEK over commercial plastic welders. Only because I can buy a life time supply in one can. It works great and does evaporate slowly which I prefer. I have not used acetone. I got a quart at Ace Hardware
I did the same here Devon. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
I only get the little bottles is when I have worn out the brush. For some jobs I like the cap brush and a fine tip artist brush for fine details.
It’s easier to contain the eventual spills in a smaller bottle…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)
Here in the People’s Republic of California, they’ve outlawed MEK. I still have about a half a quart left, but I may try to pick up some more when I’m in Nevada.
Devon Sinsley said:
Only because I can buy a life time supply in one can. I got a quart at Ace Hardware
Get to work building more models! I go through a quart about once a year. It works best in a squeeze bottle with a metal needle.
Ray Dunakin said:
Here in the People’s Republic of California, they’ve outlawed MEK. I still have about a half a quart left, but I may try to pick up some more when I’m in Nevada.
Yer going to join the Smugglers’ Guild, then?
Don’t let the revenuers catch ya.