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#1
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Substitute for MEK?
"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
om... I want to wipe down a wing prior to applying a coating of dope. Is there an acceptable substitute for MEK? - Mike I've used Prep-sol from Dupont for that. It's good for getting rid of silicones. Rich S. |
#2
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PPG DX320 is a very fast evaporating (relatively speaking) OMS (odorless
mineral spirits) paint pre-cleaner that is readily available at any PPG automotive paint distributor. See yer Yeller Pages. I'm not connected to PPG...I just use this stuff every day. "Michael Horowitz" wrote in message om... I want to wipe down a wing prior to applying a coating of dope. Is there an acceptable substitute for MEK? - Mike |
#3
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I just like the smell of MEK (and Acetone for that matter). But, as I
was pointing out a PROPER respirator is essential ...the charcoal filter, organic vapor type. With the correct filter there is no odor of solvent what so ever. The presents of MEK in the dope and the fabric glue is one of the reasons to use a good two part urethane or industrial grade epoxy to paint the fuselage tubes (or the correct powder coating).The fuselage coating does not have to resist immersion in MEK but does have to handle it until the solvent evaporates out during application. Bob wrote: Aye, don't confuse smell with being "bad". MEK is one of the less harmfull solvents. Don't get me wrong, you had better take proper precautions, or you will end up like me, somewhat sensitized to MEK and Toulene and others....chills, sweats, headache ..... Plenty of ventilation, and a mask. Pick your mask carefully and get expect advice, a simple cloth mask is just downright STUPID. I get a chuckle when I pass the "Hollywood Nails" type places and the staff are wearing paper masks. They do nothing!. MEK is a great solvent, but it has it's specific purposes. Solvents are often picked by their evaporation properties as well as what they disolve. What is a subsitute could depend on the evaporation properties. Material compatibility is HUGE! When I was an Manufacturing Engr at a rather large aerospace company, what ate what, solvent vs material was a huge part of my job. Testing for material compatibility with solvents took weeks. Use what the manufacturer recommended, follow the written instructions provided call the manufacturer if you have questions. What if the solvent you pick disolves something you really care about? How would you know? "Bruce A. Frank" wrote in message ... What is the reason for not using MEK? If you are wearing a respirator with the proper filtration and solvent proof gloves there is no impact on your body. The same equipment is requisite for any non-aqueous solvent. There may be "solvents" even some water based types that can work "as well as" MEK, but from the stand point of cleaning, dissolving everything, you just cannot beat MEK. MEK may actually be part of the solvent in the dope (some I have used sure smelled as though it contained MEK...an odor that, to me, smells good) Michael Horowitz wrote: I want to wipe down a wing prior to applying a coating of dope. Is there an acceptable substitute for MEK? - Mike -- Bruce A. Frank, Editor "Ford 3.8/4.2L Engine and V-6 STOL Homebuilt Aircraft Newsletter" | Publishing interesting material| | on all aspects of alternative | | engines and homebuilt aircraft.| *------------------------------**----* \(-o-)/ AIRCRAFT PROJECTS CO. \___/ Manufacturing parts & pieces / \ for homebuilt aircraft, 0 0 TIG welding While trying to find the time to finish mine. |
#4
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Bruce A. Frank wrote:
I just like the smell of MEK (and Acetone for that matter). But, as I was pointing out a PROPER respirator is essential ...the charcoal filter, organic vapor type. With the correct filter there is no odor of solvent what so ever. The presents of MEK in the dope and the fabric glue is one of the reasons to use a good two part urethane or industrial grade epoxy to paint the fuselage tubes (or the correct powder coating).The fuselage coating does not have to resist immersion in MEK but does have to handle it until the solvent evaporates out during application. Just a little info. I got a blurb about using appliance epoxy, so I ran a test. Painted a piece of scrap tube with the appliance epoxy that you can buy at the local hardware. Threw it in a coffe can of MEK. It was completely submerged. Sat it on a shelf and literally forgot about it for several weeks. Came back to use a little MEK, and there was my little piece of tube. I had cleaned the black coating from the factory off of half of it, sanded to bare metal. The black coated half had not paint, the bare metal part still shined bright white. I just have to believe that the stuff they sell to normal plebes can't be as toxic as the 2-part, industrial grade, wear-your-hazmat-suit stuff. I'll probably find out I'm completely wrong in a few years. -- ----Because I can---- http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org/ ------------------------ |
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