MEK

[Rick Webb]

Steve, You'll Want to Check This Out

This is the last operational Shooting Star. I remember when it showed up at the Museum it is a really slick jet and it looked beutiful the picture really does not do it justice.The MEK precautions are nothing compared to some of the newer hazards like hydrazine that is used to power the emergency generator on the F-16.

 

[Dick of Sylvan]

Adhesive?

Mike: What is the adhesive? I have a similar problem and have used the expensive 2 part adhesive recommened for Hypalon by West Marine, but it didn't work well, especially where the fabric was loosened from the wooden transom. I have been wondering if the adhesive that I purchased might have been defective, as from overheating on a truck to the store in the Phoenix, AZ area. Dick

 

[Bob]

Lets Get Down to Science/MEK

For those who never read the fine print on this stuff, here's the poop on MEK vs. ACETONE.MEKIt is a clear colorless liquid used as a solvent in nitrocellulose coatings and vinyl manufacturing, in cements and adhesives and dewaxing of lubircating oils. Has a mint-like sharp odor. It is a regulated hazardous substance, which at certain exposure limits can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting and headaches. IT IS ABSORBED READILY INTO THE SKIN.Always wear the right protection with this stuff with plenty of ventilation. If stored with chlorine, bromides or fluorine (strong oxidizers) a violent reaction can occur.ACETONEUsed as solvent and in the production of lubricating oils. Colorless with a sweetish odor. Points of attack: Repsiratory system and skin. Proper protection including ventilation required.For comparisons: MEK ACETONEOdor Threshold: 10 ppm 100 ppmPermissible Air Limit: 200 ppm 1,000 ppmSkin Exposure: 300 ppm Not Recordedppm = parts per millionI guess if you weigh in Explosive limits, Ignition temperature, Permissible concentrations in water, and general overall health risk, the MEK would get the prize.MEK is a very powerful degreaser and widely used in industry. I think I would opt for the acetone and use more elbow grease to handle my solvent cleaning needs, with proper precautions; unless of course you prefer to use the MEK, which would suffice, but requiring proper protection as well.Just some useful info brought to you by the Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens (3rd edition). Good stuff to know.RegardsBobCatalina 30

 

[Harry]

Rick Webb

Thanks for the memories. Bet you weren't there, were you?

 

[Bob]

Vietnam You Mean?

If your asking if I was there, indeed I was!Vung Tau Vietnam (June 1968 - June 1969). Eigth Aerial Port, Detachment One. Bob

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Pops, this is fascinating

Lighten up about "this is a boating site."Bill O'Donovan, 1LTII Field Force HQ 1970

 

[Jim Seamans]

DongTam, 9th Inf Div 68-69

Loved Vung Tau, Only place I could get a full nights sleep.JimS/V Java

 

[ITMaster]

MEK Source

Mike: You can find it in Home Depot in the paint section, along with the safer product acetone. As mentioned above, I would highly encourage you to stay away from MEK, MIBK and all the Ketones. Acetone is great to work with.

 

[ITMaster]

Missles, Napalm et. al.

For the others that flashed back to our second place war game,the only full night sleep I got was when I ETS'ed and got back to the world! Its' great to be a sailor!

 

[Mark15143]

Home Depot or any Paint Store

Not sure if anyone answered your question - Home Depot has it. Most paint stores carry it. Yes IT did Sorry -

 

[Rick Webb]

Your Right Harry

I was assigned to the Kelly Air Force Base Day Care Center and then to the Randolph Air Force Base Elementary School while my dad was at Bien Hoa and Da Nang from '66 to '68. I do want to thank all of y'all that served and especially those who were in theater instead of running off to Canada. I even respect anyone who went to jail instead of being inducted that took courage and conviction as well.

 

[George]

Good one RICK,

You really did it this time, good one

 

[patrick]

Duck Dinner - No Takers?

It is something Hanoi John knows something about. It is a semi-polite euphemism for dishonorable dismissal. It is the officers equivalent of a dishonorable discharge.Thanks to all of you who served honorably wherever you were. Rick, you did not have to serve in country to recognize a lie. Thanks for the interesting link.If the instructions say to use MEK, go to the store and get a pint of it. Use it carefully if sparingly - with gloves, ventilation, etc. You do not need to know the TLV, LD50, LC100, etc. It is not going to kill you - at least not right away - else they would not sell it to you. Whatever you have left over is good for mixing with epoxy resin to make a penetrating sealer. When I am using epoxy for some project, I always have a little solvent around for cleaning my brushes. What I do is pour a little solvent into the mixing can, mix it with the leftover resin, and using the brush, I paint it onto some bare wood which I want to seal. Then, when I am done, I clean the brush again a couple of times the same way. That seals the wood, uses up all of the resin, and cleans the brush at the same time. It makes a nice tough finish and waterproofs the wood.

 

[Chris]

Patrick

Fortunately I am not old enough to have gone off to vietnam. Can't imagine having to have gone through that. Your story is just one more reason we absolutely have to support our guys in Iraq, no matter how one feels about the war. The way we treat each other in the world is obscene. I am glad you made it back to sail again!As for the MEK, as a firefighter and hazardous materials specialist for 12 years, I would avoid the MEK if at all possible, bad stuff!Chris