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Naphtha

S

Stalldog

Well Known Member
Think I know it's okay, but thought I'd double check. Surprisingly there's not much out there on this subject when searching.

Is Naphtha aka Coleman fluid okay to use for cleaning prep for Proseal? I don't want to use MEK, and it's my understanding that Naphtha does not leave a residue.

I've also got Acetone and Lacquer Thinner if they are a better choice.
 
Stalldog said:
Think I know it's okay, but thought I'd double check. Surprisingly there's not much out there on this subject when searching.

Is Naphtha aka Coleman fluid okay to use for cleaning prep for Proseal? I don't want to use MEK, and it's my understanding that Naphtha does not leave a residue.

I've also got Acetone and Lacquer Thinner if they are a better choice.
Click to expand...

Back in the late 1980's when I was building, Naphtha (aka: Coleman lantern fluid, aka: White Gas) was the preferred cleaning method before using ProSeal. MEK leaves a film. Acetone and Lacquer Thinner are not strong enough IMHO.

I am not aware of any new developments in cleaners for use before ProSeal. (AKA: Polysulfide) MEK does work for clean up of tools as good as anything that I have found.
 
Just used Naptha from Ace hardware for cleaning excess material after pro-sealing a tank on a certified plane. It worked fine.

We did use MEK for cleaning before the pro-seal, but it appears that real MEK is being phased out and replaced with "MEK Substitute" -

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/klean-strip-1-qt-mek-substitute-qme71sub.html

If you see any of the real stuff around, buy it and keep it...:)

The replacement stuff is Ethyl Acetate, perhaps a VAF chemist can explain how close it is to MEK?

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/ca/caf5af3e-85b3-43dc-8d5a-812d23b0ac83.pdf
 
Thanks to you both. Really don't want to use MEK anyway. I know it works well, but we've limited exposure to it at work for a GOOD reason, so no need in going down that path. I'll continue with the Naphtha that I have on hand. It's flammable, but heck, it's ALL flammable!

Thanks again.
 
Always a good idea to check for any possible oil in the naptha (I thought I heard once that Coleman has a little for anti-rust purposes, but don't quote me). Put some on a clean piece of glass, and let it dry. Look for any oily stuff - it should all evaporate away. Lacquer thinner typically has some oil in it to inhibit evaporation.
 
AlexPeterson said:
Always a good idea to check for any possible oil in the naptha (I thought I heard once that Coleman has a little for anti-rust purposes, but don't quote me). Put some on a clean piece of glass, and let it dry. Look for any oily stuff - it should all evaporate away. Lacquer thinner typically has some oil in it to inhibit evaporation.
Click to expand...

Will do. The Naphtha that I have came from Home Depot, and not actual Coleman lantern fuel, but I'll check for oil content.
 
az_gila said:
Just used Naptha from Ace hardware for cleaning excess material after pro-sealing a tank on a certified plane. It worked fine.

We did use MEK for cleaning before the pro-seal, but it appears that real MEK is being phased out and replaced with "MEK Substitute" -

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/klean-strip-1-qt-mek-substitute-qme71sub.html

If you see any of the real stuff around, buy it and keep it...:)

The replacement stuff is Ethyl Acetate, perhaps a VAF chemist can explain how close it is to MEK?

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/ca/caf5af3e-85b3-43dc-8d5a-812d23b0ac83.pdf
Click to expand...

Lowes still stocks methyl ethyl ketone:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
 
Sam Buchanan said:
Lowes still stocks methyl ethyl ketone:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Click to expand...

Not too sure about that. This came up on another list....:)

Try the Lowes "locate a store" feature. None in stock in the 5 stores in a 50 mile radius from me, none in the 5 stores for a Phoenix zip code, and none in the 5 stores from my old Los Angeles zip code. A week ago there were 3 cans still in stock locally, I should have got one.

Lowes won't even deliver it to my nearest store - this comes up - "Your order is unavailable for delivery to you from your selected store."

I believe the real stuff is being phased out everywhere, well at least at the big box/consumer stores....
 
Last edited:
Gil and Sam,

No more MEK to be found anywhere on any shelf up here anymore!

The sub is available... Whatever that stuff actually is. A friend of mine bought it and it is kinda lame according to him.

I think the next time I use proseal, i will use coleman fluid as i have it on hand and acetone.

The MEK was just too nasty for my liking anyways.

Stalldog, in my experience the products work the best in the following order but are the nastiest and evaporate the most in this same order. The first being the most foul odor, works the best but evaporates the quickest. Here we go...

MEK
Acetone
Lacquer thinner
Coleman fluid, naptha, white gas

Also, don't worry about residue. It is just a smear left over from the proseal and proseal will stick to it just fine.

Hope this helps.

;). CJ
 
az_gila said:
Just used Naptha from Ace hardware for cleaning excess material after pro-sealing a tank on a certified plane. It worked fine.

We did use MEK for cleaning before the pro-seal, but it appears that real MEK is being phased out and replaced with "MEK Substitute" -

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/klean-strip-1-qt-mek-substitute-qme71sub.html

If you see any of the real stuff around, buy it and keep it...:)

The replacement stuff is Ethyl Acetate, perhaps a VAF chemist can explain how close it is to MEK?

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/ca/caf5af3e-85b3-43dc-8d5a-812d23b0ac83.pdf
Click to expand...

Sam Buchanan said:
Lowes still stocks methyl ethyl ketone:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Click to expand...

az_gila said:
Not too sure about that. This came up on another list....:)

Try the Lowes "locate a store" feature. None in stock in the 5 stores in a 50 mile radius from me, none in the 5 stores for a Phoenix zip code, and none in the 5 stores from my old Los Angeles zip code. A week ago there were 3 cans still in stock locally, I should have got one.

Lowes won't even deliver it to my nearest store - this comes up - "Your order is unavailable for delivery to you from your selected store."

I believe the real stuff is being phased out everywhere, well at least at the big box/consumer stores....
Click to expand...

The phase-out may indeed be occurring but I can still drive a mile to my local Lowes and buy MEK, 34 gallons available within 25 miles in seven stores. Guess it just depends on where you are located--sounds like the hoarders have cleaned out your stores. :)
 
Captain_John said:
Stalldog, in my experience the products work the best in the following order but are the nastiest and evaporate the most in this same order. The first being the most foul odor, works the best but evaporates the quickest. Here we go...

MEK
Acetone
Lacquer thinner
Coleman fluid, naptha, white gas

Also, don't worry about residue. It is just a smear left over from the proseal and proseal will stick to it just fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks, CJ, I've got plenty of the bottom three, so I should be in good shape.

Another side question -- what's best to use to thin Proseal, and what is the mixing ratio for thinning? Does this affect the Proseal?
From my little experience working with it on the elevators, I can see where it would be helpful to be able to smooth it out and around rivets, etc. with the acid brush.
 
Stalldog said:
Another side question -- what's best to use to thin Proseal, and what is the mixing ratio for thinning? Does this affect the Proseal?
From my little experience working with it on the elevators, I can see where it would be helpful to be able to smooth it out and around rivets, etc. with the acid brush.
Click to expand...

Never mind, think I found what I needed in this post.

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=2500&highlight=thinning+proseal

Looks like Toluene added < 15% by weight is the magic elixir.
 
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