would I ever use more than a quart of the stuff?  And does it keep?

I'm still working on the first 1/2 bottle in my A-West applicator.  A Quart/Litre would be a lifetime supply for most I'm sure.

It's biggest enemy is evaporation, I believe.  Keep it tightly sealed in the can.  I have not noticed any appreciable evaporation from my A-west needle applicator.

FKD, I would gladly share the Gallon I already have but how would I get it to you?

If they use MEK, they might be willing to sell you a quart or pint of the stuff for your hobby purposes.  All they could do is say no.  They might even have a suitable container available if they offer samples of paint to customers for touch purposes.

In 2003 I bought a 5 gallon bucket (can) for $22.00 from Sherwin Williams Paint company .

I was in the same neighborhood Sherwin Williams today and MEK is $8.96 for a pint $14.56 for a quart $42.00 for a gallon and $98.00 for the 5 gallon Bucket (can). Glade I still have about 3 gallons left in my open can and 2 sealed 5 gallon cans in my Paint storage room. I'm set for a Long time as long as the cans don't leek.

MEK can only be shipped by ground and it can't be shipped by U.S. Mail, UPS, or Federal Express. It requires commercial Truck shipping buy Manufacture of MEK or by Private ground transportation (You). It May not be shipped by air In the U.S. except by Military transport.

 The Lowes website currently lists MEK at US $21.98 per gallon, $8.98 per quart.

The laws regarding voc's and thus availability will vary between the U.S. and Canada.  The Lowes web site may list MEK, but can they or will they ship it to Canada?

Just for the record, a quart of MEK will last you a really long time - it's the equivalent of 32 of those little bottles of Testors, or about $170 worth equivalent. Even at $20 a quart, that's a steal.

 I'm fully aware that FKD is Candadian., but the thread is presumably being followed by modellers from all over. I happened to discover the current prices at Lowes, a US big box store, and posted them. What in the world is wrong with that?

 I'm a little late with my info, you should be able to buy MEK from Laird Plastics here are the locations:

http://www.lairdplastics.com/content/section/16/55/

Hope this helps, I bought a gallon at ~ $30 CDN in my case, although I don't drink it, I do use it a lot with the Central Valley ties/rail, styrene scratchbuilt buildings and I also use the (Central Valley recommended mixture of 1 Barge Cement  to 2 parts MEK solution) it is the best way I have found to apply Plastruct vinyl brick to styrene .

When you buy MEK from a Plastic Supplier like Laird, they supply you with small bottles that are air tight, that way it keeps it from evaporating.

Hope this helps.

This Thread Isn't Only For Canadians, I Hope

Sun, 2011-05-08 13:18 — SRN

 I'm fully aware that FKD is Candadian., but the thread is presumably being followed by modellers from all over. I happened to discover the current prices at Lowes, a US big box store, and posted them. What in the world is wrong with that?

Nothing wrong at all.  It probably makes sense to mention where the Lowe's was located though.  There is a Lowe's being built in Regina, SK, Canada, so maybe they will carry MEK there.

Here in Sydney Australia you go to Lowe's to buy your clothes not MEK.