What solvent to clean gel coat with before applying 3M 4200

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Author Topic:   What solvent to clean gel coat with before applying 3M 4200

weekendwarrior posted 03-30-2013 08:29 PM ET (US)
I'm mounting a new through-hull drain in the back of my montauk and need to clean up the surfaces before applying the sealer. Reading the back of the 3M 4200 tube, it says to use "solvent". It says do not use alcohol because it will interfere with the drying of the material. So what is a good "solvent" to use in this case? I've got nail polish remover, and PVC cleaner that you use on PVC pipe before gluing the pipes together. Are either of these suitable?
contender posted 03-30-2013 09:25 PM ET (US)
Acetone, cleans the surface, and dries clean right away.
Tom W Clark posted 03-30-2013 09:32 PM ET (US)
Acetone.
Chuck Tribolet posted 03-31-2013 12:08 AM ET (US)
Note that while the active ingredient in most nail polish
remover is acetone, it often contains other stuff, like
moisturizers, scents, oils, and water. You want to use
straight acetone, available from any decent HW store paint
department.

Chuck
weekendwarrior posted 03-31-2013 09:55 AM ET (US)
Thank you very much, I am off to buy some acetone. :)
ratherwhalering posted 04-01-2013 01:16 PM ET (US)
Remember a pair of gloves, that stuff is bad bad bad for you.
Binkster posted 04-01-2013 02:27 PM ET (US)
You can buy pure 100% Acetone nail polish remover in target Stores way cheaper than the hardware store.
rich
lizard posted 04-01-2013 10:49 PM ET (US)
The poster said through-hull, as in at or below the waterline. I would use 5200.
weekendwarrior posted 04-02-2013 11:19 AM ET (US)
Thanks guys. I used acetone and nitrile gloves and my initial impression is that I got good adhesion to the fiberglass. It smells just like the pvc cleaner that you use before gluing pipes, so maybe it's the same stuff. According to the 3m web site, 4200 is recommended for above and below the waterline. But I do think 5200 is easier to work with, the quick dry 4200 is thicker and more stringy when trying to smooth it out. It reminded me of melted mozzarella cheese. Time will tell how well it holds up! :)

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Author	Topic: What solvent to clean gel coat with before applying 3M 4200
weekendwarrior	posted 03-30-2013 08:29 PM ET (US) I'm mounting a new through-hull drain in the back of my montauk and need to clean up the surfaces before applying the sealer. Reading the back of the 3M 4200 tube, it says to use "solvent". It says do not use alcohol because it will interfere with the drying of the material. So what is a good "solvent" to use in this case? I've got nail polish remover, and PVC cleaner that you use on PVC pipe before gluing the pipes together. Are either of these suitable?
contender	posted 03-30-2013 09:25 PM ET (US) Acetone, cleans the surface, and dries clean right away.
Tom W Clark	posted 03-30-2013 09:32 PM ET (US) Acetone.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 03-31-2013 12:08 AM ET (US) Note that while the active ingredient in most nail polish remover is acetone, it often contains other stuff, like moisturizers, scents, oils, and water. You want to use straight acetone, available from any decent HW store paint department. Chuck
weekendwarrior	posted 03-31-2013 09:55 AM ET (US) Thank you very much, I am off to buy some acetone. :)
ratherwhalering	posted 04-01-2013 01:16 PM ET (US) Remember a pair of gloves, that stuff is bad bad bad for you.
Binkster	posted 04-01-2013 02:27 PM ET (US) You can buy pure 100% Acetone nail polish remover in target Stores way cheaper than the hardware store. rich
lizard	posted 04-01-2013 10:49 PM ET (US) The poster said through-hull, as in at or below the waterline. I would use 5200.
weekendwarrior	posted 04-02-2013 11:19 AM ET (US) Thanks guys. I used acetone and nitrile gloves and my initial impression is that I got good adhesion to the fiberglass. It smells just like the pvc cleaner that you use before gluing pipes, so maybe it's the same stuff. According to the 3m web site, 4200 is recommended for above and below the waterline. But I do think 5200 is easier to work with, the quick dry 4200 is thicker and more stringy when trying to smooth it out. It reminded me of melted mozzarella cheese. Time will tell how well it holds up! :)