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Plastruct Plastic Weld evaporation

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  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Sunday, May 3, 2020 11:24 AM

The old trick with solvent based paints, which can also evaporate over time, was to store them upside down.

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, May 3, 2020 7:24 AM

I use MEK as well, and I have a couple of the Plastruc bottles with the brush head, and I refill as needed from a 1 gallon can of MEK, I get at the hardware store.

I don't notice any loss or evaporation from the gallon can,  as sits for months.

For paints, once I open a bottle, I use a small piece of plastic, cut from a baggie, wrapped around the bottle top, and then scew on the lid.  Seems to work OK.

Mike.

SBX
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Ipswich, UK
  • 122 posts
Posted by SBX on Sunday, May 3, 2020 5:04 AM

I gave up on evapouration of the contents of relatively expensive solvents. I bought a litre bottle of MEK on Amazon. I top up my little bottles with that then I don't care about evapouration at all. My bottle cost me £10 - $12.50! (with free delivery)

Long Haired David
A.K.A. David Pennington
main man on the Sunset and North Eastern R.R.
http://www.gmrblog.co.uk
from the UK

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, May 2, 2020 10:57 PM

I've used electrical tape before. Slightly stretch it for a good bond and make 2-3 wraps.

The Silicone stuff I linked to will fuse together so you would have to cut the stuff off then re-tape it with new.

You could probably get away with reusing the vinyl tape a few times. At least it is a little cheaper and most of us already have it on hand.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2018
  • 57 posts
Posted by schief on Saturday, May 2, 2020 10:53 PM
Electrical tape is a good idea. I'll give that a try. Thanks!
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, May 2, 2020 10:45 PM

I probably have over a dozen various brands of water-thin, solvent-type cements on hand. So far my Plastruct ones are holding up fine as is the Ambroid Pro-weld.

What I have had trouble in the past with was the Tenax 7-R. I had maybe three cases of six bottles each and after perhaps a year most of the bottles had evaporated at least 50% of their volume. Some more, some less, some not at all.

All I can offer would be to tightly wrap a good-quality electrical vinyl tape* around the lid-bottle joint and hope for the best. That way the tape can easily be removed when needed.

Trying to find a replacement lid that is "exactly" right for the Plastruct bottle and successfully reducing the evaporation would be a slim chance, IMHO.

[edit] I recently came across this stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-03625-Wrap-Repair-Silicone/dp/B00G25GOCA

and wonder if that might be a better choice? I have some but haven't tried it.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2018
  • 57 posts
Plastruct Plastic Weld evaporation
Posted by schief on Saturday, May 2, 2020 9:44 PM

Does anyone have any tips on storing Plastruct Plastic Weld?  I only get it out to use once every few weeks, sometimes months.  I swear everytime it looks like the bottle is more empty than it was when I put it away.   I know it can evaporate fast, and I screw the top on tight.  Do you seal it in a plastic baggie?  Or do I just maybe have a faulty lid?

 

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