I have MANY bottles of Floquil paint & always used lacquer thinner to thin them & clean up after air brushing. I also used it as a solvent glue. Seems the EPA or another group changed the formula to protect us. I tried paint suppliers, but was told that the industry doesn't use it anymore because of the formula of the new paint. Any suggestions where the "good" stuff can be found or a substitute? The stuff from the box Stores won't even clean paint from a wet brush! Thanks
You have to get it at, Auto Body/paint supplier's, DuPont Lacquer thinner, starting in gal. size, all temp. I used to buy it in the 5gal size and I had a tax exempt account because I owned my own trucks, that I already paid tax on. I do not know how they will treat someone off the street by You. You will have to find out. I know there is a age restrictment.
Hope That Helps.
Frank
Btw: I just called the Auto paint supplier I used years ago, 1gal all-purpose lacquer thinner 14.95. The 5gal size I bought was 40.00. Real stuff, no restrictions. I live in Chgo area.
ZStripe is spot on. Automotive lacquer thinner is readily available and works well with Floquil and Scale Coat paints. Buying by the gallon or 5 gallon can winds up being less expensive, ounce per ounce, than purchasing the hobby containers.
If you don't live near an auto body supply business, another product that is still strong enough to clean airbrushes as well as thin solvent based paints, such as Scale Coat and Floquil, is Safety Kleen's Strong Solvent Blend Medium Drying Lacquer Thinner. I've found it at Ace Hardware as well as Lowes and Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/72/72487dea-e8a6-44e8-aae9-5fcf32065540_400.jpg
One has to remember that Safety Kleen offers several variations of thinner, including wash thinner and mineral spirits. Caution: the containers look alike, so you have to read the label as the home stores tend to cram them in rows on one rack next to each other. I almost purchased Safety Kleen Mineral Spirits by mistake on one occasion when I was in a hurry.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I got my last pint of Lacquer thinner at Ace Hardware about six months ago.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Yes. you can still buy what they call lacquer thinner, but it's almost useless for what I want it for. Just want to know where to buy the old original formula.
gandydancer19 I got my last pint of Lacquer thinner at Ace Hardware about six months ago.
Jerryl,
The old original formula was a weakened version of automotive lacquer thinner. Nothing unusual (I was working in a transit system body shop in those days). If that's your preference than the suggestion regarding an auto body supply house seems to be a good route to take. Lacquer thinner is still available from Axalta (formerly DuPont's paint line), PPG, BASF, and their competitors for decent prices.
The gallon can I got at Lowe's a few months ago is the real stuff. Have to look though, they have the 'fake' stuff right next to it. Mineral spirits is going the same way, there's the same stuff as always, and the new 'safe' version.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Real lacquer thinner should be available in the paint department at any Ace Hardware store.
Try a sherwin Williams paint store.
basementdweller Try a sherwin Williams paint store.
Have to agree with this. I used to work for Sherwin. Sold laquor thinner by the quart, gallon, 5 gallon and 55 gallon drum.
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.
Tried SW & they had no idea what formula they had. Didn't want to buy & try. Top is sealed so you cant smell either.
Drew4950 basementdweller Try a sherwin Williams paint store. Have to agree with this. I used to work for Sherwin. Sold laquor thinner by the quart, gallon, 5 gallon and 55 gallon drum.
Real Lacquer thinner will have a Red Flammable or
equivalent
diamond Hazmat label on the container. That's the law.
Scroll down to Labeling requirements for pic, of Hazmat Label:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_Materials_Transportation_Act
Take Care!
Tried "True Value Hardware" yesterday & was told that they have to carry the new formula only. It won't even clean a paintbrush with polyurethane on it.
zstripeReal Lacquer thinner will have a Red Flammable or equivalent diamond Hazmat label on the container. That's the law.
I have a small can of lacquer thinner that appears to have been canned in 2007, and a gallon can that appears to have been canned about 2012. Neither has any sort of hazmat label on it. There is a poison symbol on the can, along with a cautionary statement saying not to use in areas with open flame. The brand is Sunnyside, which is carried by True Value.
But my question is how do I identify a can of "not real" lacquer thinner? Does it say on the label "can contains not real lacquer thinner"? Or "lacquer thinner substitute"? Or "imitation lacquer thinner"?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Edit: Oh, and I just googled "polyurethane thinner". The products that come up seem to be labeled "paint thinner", not lacquer thinner. Maybe that's why the lacquer thinner doesn't work.?
Maybe that hazmat label is required only in California, where anything and everything requires all manner of warning labels -- but the quart can of genuine lacquer thinner from Ace Hardware has no such labels on it.
On small containers thru-out the US not only CA. are required by law to have a container with harmful ingredients so labeled to advise the consumer of it's hazards. If You don't find it on the front it will surely be on the back with directions with a number filed with the MSDS. if it does not have any MSDS info on it anywhere, it is not hazardous. On large size containers, you will usually see the haz-mat sticker. On transportation of same, the appropriate Hazmat placard must be applied when quantity shipped has the minimun weight. Like in 1000lbs or more. The hazmat carried has different rules for the quantity. Being into this stuff for 45yrs in Transportation. You just can't walk off the street and transport Hazmat, you must be Licensed and certified. Laws regarding Hazmat are very strict on this subject. They are now finding out that some of their other practices need to be revised also, case in point...Ebola virus.
Info MSDS:
http://www.sunnysidecorp.com/msds.html
NO, it doesn't say "Not Real Lacquer Thinner" It just says Lacquer thinner. They just changed the formula, just like they change the formula in various foods & don't note it on the label. Real lacquer thinner will remove paint, bond plastic & thin floquil for airbrushing.
maxman zstripe Real Lacquer thinner will have a Red Flammable or equivalent diamond Hazmat label on the container. That's the law. I have a small can of lacquer thinner that appears to have been canned in 2007, and a gallon can that appears to have been canned about 2012. Neither has any sort of hazmat label on it. There is a poison symbol on the can, along with a cautionary statement saying not to use in areas with open flame. The brand is Sunnyside, which is carried by True Value. But my question is how do I identify a can of "not real" lacquer thinner? Does it say on the label "can contains not real lacquer thinner"? Or "lacquer thinner substitute"? Or "imitation lacquer thinner"? Inquiring minds want to know. Edit: Oh, and I just googled "polyurethane thinner". The products that come up seem to be labeled "paint thinner", not lacquer thinner. Maybe that's why the lacquer thinner doesn't work.?
zstripe Real Lacquer thinner will have a Red Flammable or equivalent diamond Hazmat label on the container. That's the law.
Read about the ingredients on the back of the Sunnyside Lacquer thinner, you will see that it is not acceptable for thinning Automotive Lacquers. This is the stuff they are selling in a lot of the big box stores, also different brands of, they do not require any Hazmat info on the container, the safe stuff. Check the back for ingredients. That's why I suggested going to a Automotive Paint supplier, they will have the real stuff...period and it will have Hazmat info on the container...period.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/17994512683171319694?espv=2&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=sunnyside+lacquer+thinner+457g5&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.77880786,d.aWw&ion=1&biw=1024&bih=653&tch=1&ech=1&psi=zCpLVNaiEIeoyATi1IKwAQ.1414215664818.3&sa=X&ei=4ypLVIbINoSnyQSvkYKIBg&ved=0CGgQuiQ
BTW: Believe or not.....The real Automotive Lacquer thinner is a lot cheaper then the stuff they are calling safe. Known fact.
This article does a good job on the subject of Understanding Lacquer Thinners.
http://www.hirshfields.com/contractors/contractors_lacq1.html
Not all lacquer thinners are created equal.
Rich
Alton Junction
Checked out an auto supply store & saw something interesting. On the shelf there were cans ladeled "Lacquer Thinner" & under it was printed "Acetone" Next to those cans were cans labeled "Acetone".
LOL. Another can of worm's, Acetone:
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=1
I'm glad the ebsite said what it tastes like...i wasn't going to try it!
zstripe Jerryl, LOL. Another can of worm's, Acetone: http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=1 Take Care! Frank