Have you ever worked with any solvents or welding compounds that contained NitroMethane? Have you ever used Undo 6020? Have you also used other super glue removers on super glue, and how would you say they compare? What is your experience with surfacing and welding plastics with solvents, like Xtanar, Acetone or Alcohol?
Honestly I am not even sure if I have been working with NitroMethane or some other compound left over. But I would like to know what the community thinks. If NitroMethane is in fact not the effective solvent compound, then what is, and what other products might have the same stuff?
Story:
I stumbled upon a chemical sold as Super Glue remover, sold by CyberBond. Undo 6020. This particular container has literal drops left in it. It was marketed to remove a blend of cyanoacrylate marketed as Apollo. [My employer had been looking to see if it would bond HPDE. No one can convince my coworkers that NOTHING bonds HDPE. Though I have found that Re-position-able adhesive sprays work wonders, even as a base coat, but they MUST be the reposition able (cannot dry, cannot get hard).] The remover has little to no odor, maybe a little musty. One might think the stuff had long since deactivated. But a few drops on any super glue creates a jelly that can be removed easily in seconds. Let the glue sit and it will harden again.
Thinking about it’s behavior on super glue, I wondered if it would behave the same on other materials. Like a scratched Multimeter lens. And it did, similar to having exposed it to Alcohol or good off, but without the white residue. Several drops were enough to soften the entire surface. After several days it was completely hard again.
Wondering what effect it might have on non acrylic compounds I moistened the ends of some broken mounting points inside a old retractable ruler. I will guess the material was ABS. The ends softened and welded back together. I left then to sit over night and by morning they were solid, like new solid. Even the really powerful stuff like Xtanar wasn’t that good, assuming because it breaks down too much.
I looked to see if I could learn anything about the stuff. Apparently its regarded to be extremely flammable. It’s supposed to contain a compound called NitroMethane, also marketed as RC racing fuel? A new 2oz bottle cost more than 30, but a whole Litter of Actual Nitro Methane from a hobby shop costs less than 30. So the prices do not math up even remotely. Also given its age, and that the bottle has never expanded or gassed out, I suspect the NitroMethane left town a long time ago. Meaning I have no idea what the actual effective compound really is.
Background:
I have used many kinds of glue and adhesives. Most were over the counter. JB weld, Super Glue, Elmer’s, Silicone, etc. I have also done potting with several epoxy compounds from several chemical companies.
By far the most potent stuff I ever used Xtanar and another similar I think Xtanar replaced were these small clear liquids that contained some solvent combos that melted pretty much anything, had a strong smell, cold on skin and burned like crazy when washed. It surfaced and welded pretty much everything. Drawbacks were it evaporated crazy fast outside the bottle, and took days to fully cure any exposed plastic.
I also know Alcohol, Goof off, Paint thinner, and Acetone also make good plastics welders. Depending on the combo this creates a residue that must be removed and can take several days to cure
Most of the time these days I will opt to actually weld the plastic with hot air and soldering pen, even add more plastic if available match. Re-drill holes if needed. This in general gives me the best control. Though a wash in solvent can aid in getting a good gloss shine if desired.
This is a market ready solvent that uses NitroMethane
https://www.hisco.com/Catalog/Chemicals-Cleaning-Supplies/Chemicals/Cleaning-Solvents/135542-30769#asr
This is one of the Chemicals that I think I recall being listed on the bottle of Xtanar. A little splatter is harmless, but spill this on yourself and its a nasty chemical burn. Dont use water to clean up.
for that!