MEK isn’t the stuff in attack that is Methyl Chloride- however MEK
will work- it’s available at hardawe stores, home stores etc in small
quantities (pint) to 5 gallons
however MEK will work
MEK hasn’t worked for me.
I’m going to check to see if paint stripper is different although
the ingredients are not usually listed in these products. I’m
beginning to think this is an ‘urban myth’.
Attack works very well.
kpk
Hi Kevin,
The paint strippers that contain methylene chloride (some don’t) all
have it prominently listed, in accordance with Federal regulations.
Attack contains methylene chloride as the actived ingredient (it’s
usually more expensive than paint stripper). Some strippers contain
higher concentrations of methylene chloride than others.
I’ve been at this a long time, and tested every product availabe,
and I use them on a daily basis. “Kleen-Strip” brand Premium
Sprayable Paint Stripper is the strongest I’ve used, much more
effective than attack. Please observe all cautions.
Because of their low flashpoint, MEK and acetone can be extremely
hazardous and treating them casually can be invitation to disaster.
Some of the newer 2-part epoxies, once properly mixed and properly
cured are rather resistant to MC at room temperature, but WILL yield
when boiled in the stripper. This REQUIRES a proper hood and extra
precautions, but sometimes I’ve had to do it.
If you use these products in the workplace, you are REQUIRED to have
the MSDS sheets for the product available by Federal law. There are
also additional requirements if you have employees, consult OSHA and
state regulations. It’s not a joke if your workplace gets inspected
and you don’t have the proper safety measures in place for storing
and using these materials, including signed records of safety classes
for all employees.
Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter
www.thelittlecameras.com
A good way of finding info on chemical sold under trade names is to
Google the name followed by MSDS, and the MSDS should pop right up.
It is also a good idea to read several MSDS reports for the same
proprietary mixtures. I often run into differing lists of
ingredients, and can usually figure out which is the correct one
"democratically" by how many times the same ingredients are in
different reports.
I dont know the specific requirements of OSHA, and everyone really
should have copies of MSDS on hand and in.pdf form, but every chem
lab Ive worked in for the past 10 years has passed internal safety
checks by having computers on hand with bookmarks to MSDS
repositories.
That being said, it behooves everyone to at least have read the MSDS
before working with a new and unknown chemical for the first time.
For us having MSDS on all chemicals is difficult and time consuming
for our 3000 plus compounds, but if you only have tens or hundreds
it is excellent practice to learn to read them and actually
understand what is dangerous and what is not and what can be done
about it.
Jason
One common source for a methylene chloride cleaner is in automotive
carburetor and parts cleaner. One very common product available in
auto parts stores is Chem-Dip manufactured by Berryman Products.
Methylene chloride is not flammable.
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) is NOT methylene chloride.
DO NOT put your bare hands in methylene chloride for an extended
period of time. This is not like a solvent based automotive parts
cleaner. Trust me on this. this is personal experience.
Chem-dip will attack and destroy any plastic product introduced to
it. Make sure none gets on any organic gem material (Im not sure
about ivory or bone, but I wouldnt try it. I also have no idea of its
affects on any other gem material.)
Mike DeBurgh, GJG
Henderson, NV
I think I’d avoid ANY skin contact with methylene chloride. Not only
is it rather painful, but methylene chloride is one of the most
carcinogenic substances on the planet.
Folks, you really need to read the MSDS sheets on these substances.
Wayne Emery
www.thelittlecameras.com
I buy my methylene chloride from a industrial arts supply. They offer
a lot epoxy materials and fiberglass items. It is straight methylene
chloride not a stripper or automotive product. As Wayne states it is
nothing to mess around with. Make sure you use all safety
precautions.