I’ve recently started using straight MEK ( Methyl-Ethyle-Ketone) for cementing styrene and plastic parts together. So far the results seem to be excellent. The joints appear to be stronger that the base material. The obvious advantage is the cost. 32 oz. of MEK (available from any hardware store) costs about the same as 1 oz. of Testor’s liquid solvent glue. Has anyone else tried this? Any comments, good or bad?
Walt
Walt,
MEK can be dangerous to work with please make sure you follow the precautions on the packaging. If you are looking at this for a glue alternative you may also want to look into the use of Tolulene.
For the purposes I use the two different chemicals for on a normal basis is they are both used as an activator for a type of contact cement. MEK evaporates faster and is good when you want a shorter working time. Tolulene has a longer work time and evaporates slower. Noticably since you have used the one make sure you have plenty of ventilation for these products.
Personally I can’t say I’ve used either alone as an adhesive I know MEK can and will soften plastics it’s applied to for a short time. Tolulene may or may not (I’ve never put it on plastics). A quick smell of Tolulene will definately bring back the memory of testors model glue though.
Hope this has been of some help
take care,
Jack
Thanks Jack. As with any solvent adhesive, I use plenty of ventilation, am aware of possible ignition sources and I avoid skin contact. And you’re right, it does evaporate very quickly which helps to pevent “puckering” when gluing thin sheets.
Walt
Hi grandpopswalt
MEK is used a lot in the UK for a solvent cement apparently it will even glue LGB plastic.
It is GOOD but at the same time a bit on the nasty side so do make very sure of your ventilation and other precautions on the pack.
Another I have been told is real good but is also very hard to get for obvious reasons is
cloroform (spelling)
regards John
I thought I saw somewhere recently that the main (if not only) component of Testors liquid cement IS MEK! It may have been one of my issues of Garden Railways in an article on adhesives. And no, I haven’t been sniffing glue!
Mike
Mike,
Actually I got the idea to try MEK after reading the ingredients label on a small bottle of Testor’s cement. It reads "contains MEK " and it’s not clear what if any other ingredients are also in there.
Walt
This may be what I am looking for. Most of my buildings are Pola or Piko and they fall apart after being out on my railroad for a short time, this is driving me crazy!!!.
Could someone please reply or e-mail me on the best way to keep these structures together.
Irv.
I use MEK for all plastic welding and also works well for adhering styrene to wood.
One can purchase a pint of MEK for around $5.00 (vs. $5.00 for 4 oz. of Tenax, etc.).
Just make sure to have good ventilation in the area that you are working in.
Works great for stripping brass and other metals.