Acetone or Methyl Hydrate

[The Bramptonian]

I am not able to get Xylene for my epoxy job here in Canada. None of the stores seem to carry Xylene. I looked around every where without luck. So my question is - Can I instead use Acetone or Methyl Hydrate for cleaning the tools or not?

Which one of the two - Acetone or Methyl Hydrate is a better choice? I am planning to do multiple coats of epoxy so need to clean the tools and buckets for reuse.

Any comments, suggestions or advise.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim B]

What tools are you going to clean. I did primer, epoxy and urethane and can't think of anything I cleaned. Just use new buckets for each coat. Cheaper than the chemicals. The epoxy will harden on the mixer and you can use it again. Rollers are one use. Cheap one use chip brush for cutting in.

 

[awdblazer]

where in canada are you from? have you checked any paint stores? you should be able to get xylene

 

[The Bramptonian]

Greater Toronto Area. I don't think any of them carry Xylene here. I will check again.

where in canada are you from? have you checked any paint stores? you should be able to get xylene

 

[awdblazer]

more of the bigger paint companies

 

[The Bramptonian]

I am putting down multiple coats of epoxy/topcoat. I was hoping to reuse the buckets. mixer, squeegees and measuring jugs. I could buy more buckets but still need something to clean the squeegee. Of course, rollers are for one-time use.

What tools are you going to clean. I did primer, epoxy and urethane and can't think of anything I cleaned. Just use new buckets for each coat. Cheaper than the chemicals. The epoxy will harden on the mixer and you can use it again. Rollers are one use. Cheap one use chip brush for cutting in.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I am putting down multiple coats of epoxy/topcoat. I was hoping to reuse the buckets. mixer, squeegees and measuring jugs. I could buy more buckets but still need something to clean the squeegee. Of course, rollers are for one-time use.

Bramp, in a pinch, you can use "Windex" in a spray bottle or ammonia to clean tools or hands. Works good. I let the squeegee dry and scraped off the very thin epoxy layer with a little scraper blade. When you are done with it, set it so the squeegee blade is perpendicular to the floor in a box or something and most of the epoxy will drip right off it. Re-use your drill mixer when dry. Re-use bucket when dry. New roller, new measuring device (or use same for same epoxy base or clear only). Other things discard each time like brushes or rollers. When you put them somewhere, epoxy will all drip down off things so put them in something you don't care about that can hold all the epoxy that runs off the tools. You will get a cup or two of epoxy just off your roller when it dries. If you have any other home projects that could benefit from epoxy, like broken plastic things or similar, have them ready to go and use your extra from the tools to not waste the expensive epoxy! Works great for just about any repair needed! - Paul

 

[The Bramptonian]

Thanks Paul. You are always very helpful. Good suggestions. I will probably use amonia or acetone or even paint thinner should work Perhaps. Like you mentioned, I could always let it dry and then scrape it of.

Bramp, in a pinch, you can use "Windex" in a spray bottle or ammonia to clean tools or hands. Works good. I let the squeegee dry and scraped off the very thin epoxy layer with a little scraper blade. When you are done with it, set it so the squeegee blade is perpendicular to the floor in a box or something and most of the epoxy will drip right off it. Re-use your drill mixer when dry. Re-use bucket when dry. New roller, new measuring device (or use same for same epoxy base or clear only). Other things discard each time like brushes or rollers. When you put them somewhere, epoxy will all drip down off things so put them in something you don't care about that can hold all the epoxy that runs off the tools. You will get a cup or two of epoxy just off your roller when it dries. If you have any other home projects that could benefit from epoxy, like broken plastic things or similar, have them ready to go and use your extra from the tools to not waste the expensive epoxy! Works great for just about any repair needed! - Paul

 

[Edger]

Great tips Paul. The first time I used epoxy I tried to clean the rollers and brushes and used up double the cost in Xylene that the brushes and rollers were worth plus a **** load of time.

 

[trbomax]

Acetone wont cut epoxy. In our area the box store stopped carrying xylene a couple months ago. I ask why at lowes and the short answer was that it was a component used for cooking meth. Since I have no idea how to cook meth , I took thier word for it. The guy that owns the local hardware (who I know personally) Just chuckeled when I told him the story and said that he keeps track of anyone he doesnt know that buys it,they get the license plate # when they leave. He said that covers his *** if there is a problem down the road.

 

[shaun oriold1]

I've got source here in Burlington for Xylene, if you're interested, and ever around these parts. Its about $30 a gallon so its not cheap. As mentioned by others, let the epoxy harden, adn reuse on some items. Others just throw away... I try to figure out how much it will cost in xylene compared to replacing an item....

Mixing containers are like $2 each, heck a 5g bucket is only $5.

Shaun.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

xylene or denatured alcohol.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I used MEK for cleanup when I did my epoxy floor. I don't know about your area but it's readily available here in VA.

 

[The Bramptonian]

Thank you Shaun. You are right, it is not probably worth it to spend $30 on Xylene especially when the tools are cheaper.

I've got source here in Burlington for Xylene, if you're interested, and ever around these parts. Its about $30 a gallon so its not cheap. As mentioned by others, let the epoxy harden, adn reuse on some items. Others just throw away... I try to figure out how much it will cost in xylene compared to replacing an item....

Mixing containers are like $2 each, heck a 5g bucket is only $5.

Shaun.

 

[Cruzin90]

I thought I would mention that if you happen to see "Xylol", it's the same as xylene.