M.E.K. Substitute

I've never used this material, so I can't comment on its ability to glue styrene plastic in model structures.  What is its major chemical component?  You're probably correct in saying this material is less toxic than MEK.  If you haven't yet opened the can, I'd return it for a refund and see if they have stocked MEK.  I bought a quart can of MEK in my local Lowes store in their paint dept for approximately $7-8.  If you can't find it in Lowes or Home Depot, check a local paint store.  Do you live in California where they have very stringent laws governing chemicals?

If you use MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone), you should use it in small quantities, such as the amount used for gluing structures, and in a well ventilated area.  MEK is flammable and toxic.  It can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation at high concentrations.  For more information on MEK, do a Google search under MEK Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Bob

Generally the more hazardous material is available

only in small quantity containers in Cali.  It is usually carried by companies that cater to commercial contractors rather than the home owner.  Often times Home Depot or Lowes will just stock the "safe stuff" regardless of legality.  Kind of like car companies that quit making convertibles in the 1980s because they thought the U.S. was going to outlaw convertibles.

Lowes and Home Depot have discontinued product in NY

I can't speak company wide, but in New York State, both Lowes and Home Depot have discontinued carrying the MEK product.  It was put on clearance and I bought the last 6 - 1 Gallon, and 8 - 1 Quart containers of the stuff.  That should be a lifetime+ supply of the stuff.  The gallon containers were about $6, and quart were $3 each.  $3 for the quart was still a good deal for the stuff.

Ken L

MEK

I got a gallon at the local hardware store. I'm in New York also.

Bernd

Interesting. I'm next door in

Take it back

Ethyl Acetate and Acetic acid (vinegar)

MSDS

Will it dissolve styrene?

I'm guessing it won't, but have you tried it?  If it has "similar solvency to MEK" then maybe it will.  The only way I know of (not having a degree in chemistry) would be to try it.

Another option is lacquer thinner, if you can still get that.  It works quite well on styrene.  Acetone does too, but not quite so well.

Bummer...

Lacquer Thinner

I'll second the motion for lacquer thinner. Readily available, often contains a % of MEK, works, inexpensive.

Picked up the last quart of

Lacquer thinner, MEK, solvents

I havent been actively involved in plastic model building in sometime. Just now getting back into my layout again, and havent even broached the structure phase yet. Although I did build a 1:1 scale wood dollhouse for my daughter, and I used CA and wood glue for that.

What are the advantages of Lacquer thinner or MEK, or using CA or other plastic solvent like Weldbond.

Just curious, I see all this talk about MEK and was wondering what I have been missing as far as construction practices are.

MEK and Lacquer thinner

Bottle of Plastruct Bondene contains dichloromethane.  One can of lacquer thinner contains toluene, MEK, methanol, and acetone, while another omits the acetone.  All of them (except methanol maybe) do a nice job of welding plastics like styrene.  None of them is good to inhale.  Whether or not pure MEK does a better job I don't know - then again, what's a "better job" - faster? stronger?

DRT

MEK Substitute

Here in Martinsburg, WV, the local Lowes store had a good supply of MEK in quart and gallon cans.  There was no "MEK Subsitute" on the shelves.  I bought 2 quart cans of the MEK for $9.98 each.  Given the small amount of the MEK that's used in the assembly of styrene model structures, I think these 2 quarts plus what I have left of a quart will give me a lifetime supply.

Bob

MEK Source Possibility

Folks,

You could also check for source at any of your local automotive paint shops. They use various solvents during their painting processes. I would bet you could purchase a quart from them.

Just a thought...........

Scott

Probably not in California!

"You could also check for source at any of your local automotive paint shops. They use various solvents during their painting processes. I would bet you could purchase a quart from them."

I believe that anything other than water based paint is illegal for use as automotive paint in the state.  If you live in Southern Cali, and want solvent based paint on your car, the only choice is to take it to Mexico for paint.

MEK Substitute for welding styrene

Gentlemen, I think you all discussed every subject under the sun but one... Will MEK Substitute work as well on styrene as MEK!  No one answered that. Now if no one on this post has ever used it then ok you don't know and can't advise. But PLEASE stay on the subject at hand and answer the questions posed to you. You have any idea how frustrating it is for a newbi to ask a simple question and get every subject in the universe discussed but their answer never touched? They come to you all as having greater knowledge and more experience then they have and end up with nonsense! Guys stick to the question or stay quiet?

!!!

  "Will MEK Substitute work

I hope that newbie hasn't been waiting around since 2012 for someone to tell him if it works? ...DaveB

If you need/want real MEK: Sources

Mek is a critical ingredient in most full scale fabric airplane coverings. Most of the popular  “Poly-Fiber” series products used in aircraft covering (Polytak, Polybrush, etc.) are MEK based. 
Aircraft Spruce Mek

Just use the search on their main page as they carry other brands. 

I found a quart of MEK from a brand called “Solvable” that provide a lot of “nasty” chemicals  at Canadian Tire in the auto section for a lot less than this, so places like Lordco may also have it.  I think body shops use it. 
 
And Tandy Leather carries real Barge if anyone is looking for that.

I got a quart of the

I got a quart of the 'substitute' and I was NOT impressed.
 

I made an effort to find the real stuff, and found some at 2 locations;
1) paint store,...but only in gal size....way too much
2) boat accessory store...they had quart size

I leave it stored in its original packaging to prevent evaporation,...then pour out small amounts into my old Tenax jars for everyday use.

I would not buy the substitute stuff again.

Please clarify.

Those of you that do use a substitute: I have Ethyl Acetate. Unopened. How do I use it? Put some in a small container - what kind? Will any plastic do?  I saw someone mention vinegar. Do you mix vinegar with the EA? How much/what proportion? Can I use an eye dropper? Please give any and all ideas. And do tell the pros and cons vs MEK. Thanks.

Ethyl Acetate

No vinegar?

Back on 2/13/12, LKO/Alan mentioned vinegar with EA. Is that any good? Does it help anything - such as evaporation, drying/curing time.? Or just a waste of time etc. mixing it?

Vinegar with EA

Vinegar is acetic acid and that's what EA turns into with age when exposed to the air. That's all that LKO was referring to.

Mixing EA with vinegar is totally nuts. Putting acid anything on your track or styrene models is just plain a bad idea, so get that out of your head.

EA turns into vinegar with age when exposed to the air. Don't use it on your models anywhere -- keep EA tightly capped to *avoid* it turning into vinegar from open exposure to the air.

NOTE: Apparently Klean Strip is a combination of ethyl acetate and vinegar (per the MSDS) -- that's what LKO was referring to. Keep Klean Strip *away* from your trains. Acid anything is generally bad news and doesn't mix with your model trains. And if you do brass model soldering with an acid flux, please flush it thoroughly to remove all traces of acid from the model.

Better yet, learn to do brass model soldering with a no-clean non-acid flux. That's one area where I strongly disagree with Fast Tracks -- never use acid flux anything on your track. You can clean the track thoroughly to remove all the acid flux (you thought) only to have the solder joint turn green with corrosion months later due to a trapped bubble of acid inside the solder! Ask me how I know ...

Is ethyl acetate environmentally friendly?

If you do a google search: Is ethyl acetate environmentally friendly? ... here's what comes up: