Thanks to all for all the advice and comments. I’ll give lacquer thinner a try on my next kit. But, on the other hand, maybe for how much I use solvent I’d be better off buying the hobby solvents.
I use a brush for application and simply size it appropriately to the particular task. And, like using a brush to paint, after dipping the brush in the thinner, you wipe it on the container’s rim to remove the excess.
I don’t use it solely as a plastic cement, although I do a lot of kit building and kitbashing, and build a lot of large structures:
I also do a lot of airbrushing for both myself and friends, and used to do custom painting for a hobby shop, too.
I buy Testors Non-Toxic Cement Liquid Cement at Hobby Lobby using on of their 40% off coupons. I tack weld with CA and accelerator and flow the cement down the seam. After working the paint industry 30+ years ago, I’m hypersensitive to solvents and use them sparingly.
Incidentally, I’ve found the local Hobby Lobby to be a great resource for modeling. I’ve bought every thing from Excel blades and holders to doll hose oak flooring [turned sideways it makes great retailing wall material] and lots of quality card stock, usually at 30-40% off.
Dan