by mta bnr.ca in /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Wed, 29 May 1996 21:29:59 -0400 by /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Wed, 29 May 1996 21:29:37 -0400 by /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Mon, 27 May 1996 21:29:00 -0400 Date: Wed, 29 May 1996 21:29:00 -0400 [/PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/;bcars735.b.722:30.04.96.01.29.37] From: "michael (m.j.) anderson" Subject: COZY: MEK & BURP Where can I get MEK solvent to clean tools from the epoxy? And also where can I get BURP or dry nitrogen to sparge my resign and hardner cans? Thanks, Michael Anderson mikej@nortel.com Cozy Mark IV #484 Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 07:54:37 From: JRaerocad@gnn.com (Jeff Russell) Subject: Re: COZY: MEK & BURP Michael Anderson writes: >Where can I get MEK solvent to clean tools from the epoxy? >And also where can I get BURP or dry nitrogen to sparge my resign >and hardner cans? Never use MEK solvents to clean tools. lacquer thinner should be the strongest solvent used. Pure apple vinegar will work without using any solvents. As I said in the past we had to many problems with the 2427 Resin systems that we had to go back to using the type with styrene/MDA additive so that moisture would not cause problems. We live in 70-90% humidity ALL year long. Water in Glass and Foam can also cause bad parts with 2427 system. AeroCad Inc. Jeff Russell 1445 Crater Lane Yadkinville, NC. 27055 910-961-2238 E-mail: JRaerocad@gnn.com Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 13:33:11 From: JRaerocad@gnn.com (Jeff Russell) Subject: Re: Re[3]: COZY: MEK & BURP >J. Russell writes: > >>"Never use MEK solvents to clean tools."<< > >Jeff, I'm curious about your reasons for this statement. Is >it a flammability or personal exposure issue or something else. > >Doesn't lacquer thinner usually contain MEK? It's a flammability issue and personal exposure issue. The flash point is much lower making exposure more an issue. It puts more epoxy vapors in the air and because it can go through most gloves exept (beutal type) forget its spelling. AeroCad Inc. Jeff Russell 1445 Crater Lane Yadkinville, NC. 27055 910-961-2238 E-mail: JRaerocad@gnn.com Date: Thu, 30 May 96 11:11:24 EST From: MISTER@neesnet.com Subject: Re[2]: COZY: MEK & BURP J. Russell writes: >>>"Never use MEK solvents to clean tools."<< Jeff, I'm curious about your reasons for this statement. Is it a flammability or personal exposure issue or something else. Doesn't lacquer thinner usually contain MEK? Bob Misterka N342RM Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 09:57:50 -0700 From: Michael Antares Subject: COZY: MEK I'm also curious about Jeff's statement to never use MEK. I use it all the time for general cleanup and it IS one of the recommended solvents for cleaning epoxy residue. In my area it is available just about everywhere; our local OSH hardware, paint stores, etc. It is a potent solvent but I personally don't find it worse than acetone or lacquer thinner. 6077 Old Redwood Highway Penngrove CA 94951 707.664.1171 Finished through chap 14 except chap 13. Currently on 16, 17 and 24. Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 13:19:33 -0700 From: Michael Antares Subject: COZY: Re: MEK Jeff, I need to get more info from you about your concerns regarding MEK. >From my info MEK is preferable to a lot of other solvents. It has a HIGHER flash point (30 degrees C) than acetone (0 degrees), most or all of the alchols (which range around 10 to 15 degrees), the esters and benzene and toluene. Only xylene and high-flash napha are higher. This of course means that it is not as flammable and has a lower evaporation rate than these other solvents. It IS more expensive. It is soluble in water (I'm not sure about the other solvents except the alcohols). It DOES have a powerful odor but then so do the other potent solvents. It certainly can be recommended that gloves and mask be used but again this is true for all of these solvents. Regards, 6077 Old Redwood Highway Penngrove CA 94951 707.664.1171 Finished through chap 14 except chap 13. Currently on 16, 17 and 24. Date: Sat, 1 Jun 1996 18:41:38 -0400 From: StetsonE@aol.com Subject: Re: COZY: MEK & BURP In a message dated 96-05-29 21:34:38 EDT, Michael writes: >Where can I get MEK solvent to clean tools from the epoxy? >And also where can I get BURP or dry nitrogen to sparge my resign >and hardner cans? I don't know about the nitrogen, but MEK can be purchased at most hardware stores. Somewhat expensive at 4-5 dollars a quart. I agree with Jeff's comments about MEK. Had I known that there were suitable alternatives, I'd never would have used the stuff. Now I know! But in my ignorance, this is what I did through most of my project. Be very careful with MEK. I've been told that even a small amount of MEK in the eyes causes progressive unrepairable eye damage. The fumes are very bad - gives me a headache within a couple of minutes after the can is opened. In addition, since its great at thinning out epoxy, you don't want to get MEK thinned epoxy on your skin because the epoxy can be absorbed through the skin much more readily. Several people I've talked to who later developed epoxy reactions used MEK liberally to clean up epoxy from their tools, hands(!), etc. Inhaled epoxy laden MEK fumes might also contribute to an allergic reaction over time - who knows? I've only used MEK to clean brushes and my good fiberglass shears. For brushes, keep a small amount in a baby food jar or something similar. Wipe off as much epoxy from the brush as you can with a paper towel, swish the brush a few times in the MEK and dry the brush with another paper towel. A little MEK on a paper towel will adequately clean your shears. Use adequate hand protection - MEK appears to go right through latex gloves. Wear a carbon filter mask if possible. For everything else like squeeges, I just wipe them off the best I can with a paper towel using no MEK. This works well enough. If they get too gooped up, toss them and buy more. I use the type sold at hardware and auto stores that are used to spread bondo. They're cheap. To summarize, use MEK as little as you can, and be careful! Stet Elliott stetsone@aol.com Date: Sun, 2 Jun 1996 18:51:45 -0400 From: PBurkha238@aol.com Subject: Re: COZY: MEK & BURP In a message dated 96-06-01 18:44:38 EDT, you write: >. A >little MEK on a paper towel will adequately clean your shears. Use adequate >hand protection - MEK appears to go right through latex gloves. Wear a >carbon filter mask if possible. > >For everything else like squeeges, I just wipe them off the best I can with a >paper towel using no MEK. This works well enough. If they get too gooped >up, toss them and buy more. I use the type sold at hardware and auto stores >that are used to spread bondo. They're cheap. Folks, I've been using hand goop( the stuff comes in a large container for a special dispenser that mount to a wall) for year to clean my shears, squeeges. Everything but the paint brushes. I just smear some on, work it in a little and clean it off with a paper towel. works great. Paul Burkhardt