Think I could run for president of the model railway world on that promise?

As for Lowes - I may be able to buy my MEK there after 1 August 2011 as that is the openning day of Lowes in Edmonton. 

I hope to get some in the city on Thursday when I'm heading in for a Dr. appointment. 

FKD

 The glue (epoxy?) joint holding the needle to the plastic nozzle gave way.  Fortunately, I had a spare (those are getting hard to find).  But that bottle lasted me at least 15 years so I have NO COMPLAINTS.

dave

Cloverbar Paint Supply, only at their southside warehouse store but I got my litre, at $19.99 it was a bit steep but that should last as long as this modeler will need it.  Four litre (gal) was only $42 - guy thought it silly to only buy the litre.  Silly me.  He did warn me based on his experience that it eats through rubber gloves. 

I guess that needs to be stored in a glass bottle - I have an empty one I can use with the brush in the lid.  I do have a plastic bottle with a needle applicator - I'll try that - and hope the MEK does not disolve the bottle. 

Now to stock up on styrene. 

: ) 

Store MEK in glass or metal container. It will dissolve many plastics but even with the plastics it does not dissolve (polyethylene and polypropylene) it will leach through over time.

Alan-   

It will dissolve many plastics but even with the plastics it does not dissolve (polyethylene and polypropylene) it will leach through over time.

Thanks for that!  I've saved a few old bottles with applicator brushes, expecting to refill them at some future date... now I think it best to keep the BIG container full... and save a few caps to replace failing ones.

This thread illuminates several 'problems' to consider simultaneously : 

1- economy of buying in bulk

2- long-term storage considerations

3- the effects of solvents on otherwise stable materials.

As in the discussion of low-cost roadbed materials (specifically, polyisocyanate), we need to do this... share information that calls attention to otherwise minor hazards.

Oh, before I exit... PP and PE (polyethylene and polypropylene) become brittle when cold... thus, when using these caps and gaskets, keep this material above freezing. Otherwise, degradation will likely accelerate.

Let's be careful out there!

I used an old Tester's square bottle to hold MEK - the cap started to disolve.  Given my "never through anything useful away" habit (debate whether this is a bad habit or not) - I had an even older Tester's square bottle with a metal cap - seems to be holding it fine.

I was using a needle applicator, I'd squeeze the bottle suck up a wee bit of MEK and 'squirt" it where it was to go.  Worked until some of the MEK melted some of the plastic and now the bottle does not suck - that sucks.  I guess I'll have to get one of the recommended applicator bottles mentioned earlier in this threat, in the mean time I'm using the brush applicator in the Testor bottle, seems to work OK.