Thinning "Vintage AR" sealant?
- Thread starter mike j
- Start date
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Naptown Rob
Ponographer
Im 98% sure you use laquer thinner.
But then I'm wrong a lot, too.
But then I'm wrong a lot, too.
Ah yes. I knew there was a gentleman on AK that was involved with the product, but couldn't remember his name.
Thanks, GD70!!
GD70
Lunatic Member
Sure thing. He's great guy and knows his stuff. He was instrumental in helping me restore the drivers and cap swap in my AR LST2's.
Mike,
Toluene (toluol) is the solvent to use. Lacquer thinner is not a good idea, as it will make it congeal and become cloudy. The sealant will thicken somewhat at cold temperatures, and is easier to apply at warm temperatures.
GD70,
Thanks! You are doing a great job on those LST 2's!
Roy
GD70
Lunatic Member
I knew someone would ask that question...
It is getting very hard to find. Ace Hardware is where I purchased a large quantity last year, but I have not seen any on the shelves lately. It was used in the painting business, and may still be available through paint stores. I have never seen it in Lowes or Home Depot. There is a toluene substitute out there, but I have not tried it.
Roy
I have not tried xylene, Steve. Given the toluene situation it is worth exploring.
Roy
vinylisfinal
Super Member
i used denatured alcohol with the same success
I could not locate a local source for Toluene and had to resort to the web. I have no affiliation or recommendation for the following company and I am posting as an FYI if you need to locate some.
http://www.bestmaterials.com
http://www.bestmaterials.com
Retrovert
Addicted Member
To expand on Steve's comment about similarity, for this purpose probably, but not exactly identical.
Toluene is methyl benzene, a benzene ring (six carbon atoms in a ring with hydrogens stuck on them) with a methyl (CH3) group stuck on one position instead of a hydrogen.
Xylene is di-methyl benzene, a benzene ring with two methyl groups. (Different names exist for it depending on the position of the methyl groups around the ring of six carbon atoms.)
Tolune is more volatile.
As always, do yourself a favor and don't use them in unventilated areas as breathing low-molecular weight hydrocarbon vapors is not a good idea as it is carcinogenic and hepatotoxic.
Yeah, I tried that. It turned into whitish goop. Not recommended.
alteclipsch
Super Member
I used a little Xylene to thin the goo once for a pair of KLH Model Thirty Twos. No cloudiness, good evaporation after application, no obvious change in the remaining stickiness, either. Menards has Toluene, but only in gallons. It would take me 5 lifetimes to go though that. Even the quart of Xylene has been in my garage for 5 years.
This old thread reminds me, it's almost time to get more stuff from RoyC!
This old thread reminds me, it's almost time to get more stuff from RoyC!
