MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)

Alpha-tron

Well-known member

Donor 2011, 2019
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
11,923
Reaction score
6,921
Location
Rowland Heights, California
I went to one of my local Home depot and I didn't see MEK on the shelf. I did see something that was suppose to be a substitute for MEK. I wonder if los angles is outlawing my favorite degrease/ stripper.

I going to check around to other stores and see if i can stock up on MEK.
 
Yes, MEK has been outlawed in California since Jan 1, 2011 (as well as Toluene & Xylene)

Traditional Paint Thinner & Lacquer Thinner were also outlawed but most manufacturers reformulated a California enviro-friendly formula which you see for sale in Home Depot and Lowes.

Industrial & Maintainence Solvent was introduced as a catch all replacement for MEK, Toluene & Xylene.

If you want the traditional MEK, you can shop the smaller independent hardware store or paint store (non-chain) and you might get lucky to find some as the law allowed existing inventories to be "grandfathered" in for sell-thru. Other than that, you can always buy it out of state.
 
I'm in texas and I went searching for this stuff recently and bought some at Lowes. haven't used it yet but it's out there. I can post a picture if you don't believe me.
 
man I Used to love that stuff, the Army banned it years ago, was perfect when cleaning aircraft parts.
 
MEK will dissolve damn near everything...Including you. ;-) That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory.
 
MEK will dissolve damn near everything...Including you. ;-) That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory.

Rep for you, that made me giggle-snort. :D
 
That sucks. Before you know it, CA is going to outlaw water.

"On December 19, 2005, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency removed butanone [MEK] from the list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). After technical review and consideration of public comments, EPA concluded that potential exposures to butanone emitted from industrial processes may not reasonably be anticipated to cause human health or environmental problems."

http://epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/mek_fs.html

Try acetone. It's a similarly powerful solvent. It does evaporate faster, though.
 
this is becoming more and more of a problem for this stuff I know states like ca and other have started banning certain types of paints as well.
and Im sure Oregon isnt far behind most of all of my lcoal suppliers have been phasing out most of the silkscreening supplies and its been getting harder to get inks, solvents, chemcial, etc. hard to say how much longer it will be but I feel the end is coming.
 
MEK will dissolve damn near everything...Including you. ;-) That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory. That being said.. I do love it, and like varsol, will miss it when its gone.. They say it messes with your memory.

What ??? Who ???? What is the topic ???? Who's house is this I am in ???? Aw CRAP !!!!!
 
I recently invented a liquid that'll dissolve ANYTHING...





















but I have no idea what to keep it in...

1144353596_f.jpg


:D
 
I couldn't find it at Home Depot, but my local ACE Hardware has it in Pint, Quart, Gallon and 5 Gallon cans.

The really hard thing to find has been the little squeeze bottles with the thin applicator. It is almost impossible to work with plexi without those bottles.

ken
 
Back
Top Bottom