When to Toss Paint Stripping Laquar Thinner?

[Trainman440]

gmpullman

I'm curious about what kind of clear finish some brass makers use. That stuff turns into a gelatinous, boogery mess that tends to collect around details. Lacquer thinner or Superclean breaks it loose off the smooth areas but it turns into gunk that has to be scrubbed and/or glass beaded to completely remove.

Regards, Ed

That's exactly my issue. I always filter whatever paint stripper I use (laq for brass/metal, iso alc for plastic) through a paper towel or even coffee filter before putting it back in the jar, but after stripping a few clear coat laquars from certain brass models (including one with foam damage), its looking quite green (tasty!)

Ive let it setting in the jar for months but there's no dicernable difference between the top and bottom layer. 

I think I'll save it in case I get a particularly nasty model...

Cheers!

Charles

[SeeYou190]

doctorwayne

  Around here, our waste depot accepts all sorts of recyclable material, including used oils, paints, stains and thinners, as so-called hazardous material. They also accept all sorts of compostable material, and it's so efficient that we seldom have actual "garbage" to put at the curb...perhaps once every month or two.

Down here our waste collection centers will accept virtually anything.

We are so dependent on tourism, that we make it easy not to pollute the scenery. There is no excuse for improper disposal in Florida.

I have brought in 2 gallon containers of mixed solvents, and they take them no problem.

-Kevin

[gmpullman]

doctorwayne

An option, which seems to work well on plastics and resins, along with brass and cast metal, is Super Clean.

After several stripping sessions and I've allowed the solids to settle and decant the remaining Superclean off the top I then use the Superclean as a detergent for "non-critical" cleaning tasks such as washing patio furniture or lawn and garden equipment.

Even when diluted it is still a pretty good cleaner. I wouldn't suggest using it on your brand new Maserati, though.

Regards, Ed

[doctorwayne]

I'm not certain how long it will remain a viable paint stripper, but you might consider letting it settle for a while, then carefully pour the liquid portion into another container.  You could then dump the sludge in the bottom of the original container into a smaller container, then take it to your local recycling depot.
  Around here, our waste depot accepts all sorts of recyclable material, including used oils, paints, stains and thinners, as so-called hazardous material.
They also accept all sorts of compostable material, and it's so efficient that we seldom have actual "garbage" to put at the curb...perhaps once every month or two.

Lacquer thinner, as a stripper, is useful on brass and cast metal items, but not at all suitable for plastics and many resins.

An option, which seems to work well on plastics and resins, along with brass and cast metal, is Super Clean.

Most paint strippers seem to lose their stripping properties over time, and, in most cases, can't simply be poured down the drain...well, you could pour them down the drain, but you shouldn't.

Wayne

[gmpullman]

Hello,

I do pass my stripping fluids through a fine mesh sieve before saving to the "used" jar. Sometimes twice.

I don't have a hard and fast rule but my choice to toss is usually dictated by the project at hand. I won't put a $1200 model in the used gunk. Sometimes I try to estimate what projects might be in the pipeline and if there isn't anything on the horizon I'll toss the spent fluid.

If a car or locomotive looks like it might have several layers of paint I'll go ahead and use my "grade B" stock, then get rid of it.

I'm curious about what kind of clear finish some brass makers use. That stuff turns into a gelatinous, boogery mess that tends to collect around details. Lacquer thinner or Superclean breaks it loose off the smooth areas but it turns into gunk that has to be scrubbed and/or glass beaded to completely remove.

Regards, Ed

[Trainman440]

Hi, Ive always saved the used paint stripper (laquar thinner) and reused it next time I need to strip paint. As a result my little jar of this stuff is quite dark and yellow now.

I was curious how often others decide toss* their used paint stripper (laquar thinner, super clean, iso alcohol, etc)?

*obviously in a responsible manner, not down the drain