Bestine thinner/solvent

[Erik aka Ngineer]

I did google "Ultrasonic Bath" and immediately found some in the $60-$70, which would be the same as buying a gallon and a half of bestine. They could be used to clean lots of other things too, so it might be time to invest in one.

I got mine for under € 30, which is about $34. You can use it for cleaning all sorts of stuff.

I don't see soap/detergent (even in ultrasonic cleaner) working as well stripping the wax as Bestine (Heptane) or Naphtha.  Yes, those are somewhat hazardous chemicals, but so are many others around you (including the gasoline you probably pump yourself into your car).  As long as you practice common sense, there should be no danger.

It really works great. As soon as I turn on the ultrasonic bath you see the water around the model going cloudy. My cleaner works 5 minutes when I turn it on. I do a couple of 5 minute cycles, then put in clean warm water and again a few cycles. Leave it overnight in clean water and then let it dry. As simple as that. The only downside is that the biggest models (>2") aren't submersed fully. I use the more expensive dishsoap, which is advertised with very good degreasing power.
I have no problem with leftover wax or oil, paint adheres really well. I order lots of Shapeways stuff and since I started using this method I have no problem with painting or gluing FUD.

[bbussey]

I don't have any problems cleaning FUD/FXD either.  With Bestine.  Soak a day in an airtight glass container, air-dry in five minutes, done.

[Lemosteam]

I don't see soap/detergent (even in ultrasonic cleaner) working as well stripping the wax as Bestine (Heptane) or Naphtha.  Yes, those are somewhat hazardous chemicals, but so are many others around you (including the gasoline you probably pump yourself into your car).  As long as you practice common sense, there should be no danger.

@peteski I thought that too, and as a fluid it does nothing- combine that with an ultrasonic toothbrush and bam you have an agitator that is very effective, after soak of course.

I have also been using my air eraser to remove some remaining artifacts.

[peteski]

@peteski I thought that too, and as a fluid it does nothing- combine that with an ultrasonic toothbrush and bam you have an agitator that is very effective, after soak of course.

I have also been using my air eraser to remove some remaining artifacts.

I guess we all have to pick our own poisons.    I still sniff Floquil, TruColor, Accu Paint, Scalecoat, Tamiya, and few other brands of organic-solvent-based paints.  Well, I don't actually go and sniff them, but there is a faint odor in my workshop when I paint (even with the exhaust fan running).  It is part of my hobby experience.

[Lemosteam]

I guess we all have to pick our own poisons.    I still sniff Floquil, TruColor, Accu Paint, Scalecoat, Tamiya, and few other brands of organic-solvent-based paints.  Well, I don't actually go and sniff them, but there is a faint odor in my workshop when I paint (even with the exhaust fan running).  It is part of my hobby experience.

What I meant is that I do both Bestine and a pay scrub and rinse and then the air eraser.

[Bobster]

Good evening,

All this Bestine talk has prompted me to do the 30 mile drive over to East Charlotte, and Binders to pick up some in person.   Good excuse to get out of the house on what looks to be a nice day.  I've had my vent sets for a couple weeks and really need to get them cleaned up and on the "City of Wabash" heavyweight parlor car.   My plan is to paint them a weathered black then come back with a black wash to fill in where the vent openings are.   I'm looking forward to seeing just how much detail I can see and make stand out.

Happy railroading.
Bobster

[jmarley76]

I guess we all have to pick our own poisons.

I make a living working in the arts, so I have already had a decent amount of exposure to a host of fantastically toxic stuff.

[Joetrain59]

Jeff, me too. How about spray mount! Probably all OSHA violations, as all we had was a spray with furnace filters, that still vented inside.
 And I could tell you some real abuses at a clients display division.
 Joe D

[prbharris]

With Bestine. 

Ummm. Bestine in the UK is a trade name for 'Fashion Mummy Changing Bags' for carrying, I think, a baby's diapers [UK English = nappies] in - I am fairly sure that that is what is meant in this thread; noxious stuff true - but not for FUD wax removal!

And as Bestine is not transportable by air .... it looks as if I will have to bring some back in the cross Atlantic 'ferry' later this year. I have tried other available solvents available here in the UK but none have worked really well.

Any alternatives suggested here would be welcome.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com

[Chris333]

Before Bestine I used Acetone.

[bbussey]

Ummm. Bestine in the UK is a trade name for 'Fashion Mummy Changing Bags' for carrying, I think, a baby's diapers [UK English = nappies] in - I am fairly sure that that is what is meant in this thread; noxious stuff true - but not for FUD wax removal!

And as Bestine is not transportable by air .... it looks as if I will have to bring some back in the cross Atlantic 'ferry' later this year. I have tried other available solvents available here in the UK but none have worked really well.

Any alternatives suggested here would be welcome.

Peter, look for heptane instead, which is the actual chemical name. It is available commercially in Europe, but I don't remember what the trade name is.

[jmarley76]

Then we circle around to the ultrasonic bath...

[peteski]

And as Bestine is not transportable by air .... it looks as if I will have to bring some back in the cross Atlantic 'ferry' later this year. I have tried other available solvents available here in the UK but none have worked really well.

Any alternatives suggested here would be welcome.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com

Like it was mentioned, Heptane is the actual chemical (Bestine is a trade name for rubber cement in USA).

Naphtha also works (slightly less aggressive than Heptane).  That I'm sure you can find anywhere as there are plenty of fag smokers in UK; Ronsonol ligher fluid is Naphtha (for Zippo lighters).  It is fairly low odor too.  Btut buying in small quantities as lighter fluid is expensive.  In USA I can buy larger quantities of Naphtha in hardware or paint stores. It is sold as VM&P Naphtha (Varnish Maker's & Painter's) in quart and gallon containers.

Acetone can also be used but it might soften certai resins - check on a test piece first.

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  Thank you!  Bestine/Heptane is hard to find in the wilds of Appalachia as well, but VM&P Naphtha is available at almost any hardware store.

[jmarley76]

Peteski:  Thank you!  Bestine/Heptane is hard to find in the wilds of Appalachia as well, but VM&P Naphtha is available at almost any hardware store.

Ah, good to know, that would have saved me on shipping and helped me to stay local with my purchase.