Bestine thinner/solvent

[Chris333]

Just read this:

Bestine solvent is basically a heptane/octane mix (C7 & C8), white spirit is similar but less volatile (C10-C12).  These should have similar solvent ability.

What does octane do?

[peteski]

Just read this:
What does octane do?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane

Octane is a component of gasoline (petrol). As with all low molecular weight hydrocarbons, octane is volatile and very flammable.
"Octane" is colloquially used as a short form of "octane rating" (an index of a fuel's ability to resist engine knock at high compression ratios, which is a characteristic of octane's branched-chain isomers, especially isooctane), particularly in the expression "high octane." However, components of gasoline other than isomers of octane can also contribute to a high octane rating, while some isomers of octane can lower it, and n-octane itself has a negative octane rating.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptane
When used as a test fuel component in anti-knock test engines, a 100% heptane fuel is the zero point of the octane rating scale (the 100 point is a 100% iso-octane). Octane number equates to the anti-knock qualities of a comparison mixture of heptane and isooctane which is expressed as the percentage of isooctane in heptane and is listed on pumps for gasoline dispensed in the United States and internationally.

n-Heptane is defined as the zero point of the octane rating scale. It is undesirable in gasoline, because it burns explosively, causing engine knocking, as opposed to branched-chain octane isomers, which burn more slowly and give better performance. It was originally chosen as the zero point of the scale because of the availability of very high purity n-heptane, unmixed with other isomers of heptane or other alkanes,..

[rschaffter]

Heptane (C7 hydrocarbon) and octane (C8) are volatile  non-polar hydrocarbon solvents, so they readily remove oil, but won't attack most plastics nor paints.

A cheaper substitute would be Coleman Fuel, which is a mixture of C5-C9 hydrocarbons.

I usually use SuperTech Starting Fluid ('Ether')  from Wal*Mart for cleaning parts and motors.  It is a mixture of ether and light hydrocarbons.  I use it out in the driveway, because of it's high flammability.  I put the parts in a pan on a bed of paper towels and spray away.  For motors, I go over the commutator with a Q-Tim fdpped in Isopropyl alcohol.....

[peteski]

A cheaper substitute would be Coleman Fuel, which is a mixture of C5-C9 hydrocarbons.

Isn't that also Naphtha (like VM&P Naphtha I mentioned few posts earlier)?

[Mastertech]

Hi guys!
I'm a Dental technician and I worked with my ultra sonic baths now for some 30 odd years, cleaning TEETH after polishing!! Well anyway how does this relate to this thread? When i airbrush at home I bring the airbrush in the next day and dismantle and throw all parts and jars in the ultrasonic using I found are the TWO best cleaners. #1 BLEACH WHITE from anywhere you can find it, Now my #2 cleaner i just picked up at the dollor store is>>SHOUT triple action pre soak refill 60oz bottle<< this stuff just cleans like there's no tomorrow!!! and also watered down, back to the shop, I use cheap brake clean for instant cleaning of brushes and anything else that has paint on it, and the bestine i use for the 3D printed parts, and I'm also finding that when i thin down the rubber cement and I paint under the PC ties and glue them down to my paper templates when hand building N scale turnouts, also good for gluing down cork road bed, picture this...
You want to change or repair a track arrangement in the future and you have to pull up the cork roadbed what would like under neath? GLUE or rubber cement? the spray mount rubber based glue is even faster! i also use this on my quick stix from fast tracks... very fast!! I figured this cause the ballast glue is going to hold everything in place nicely and it does.

[jimmo]

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.

What he says. (+1)

[bbussey]

For Shapeways parts I'd say quit the bestine and get yourself an ultrasonic bath. Just pour some dishwashing liquid and warm water in it and make it buzz. Heptane is bad stuff.

You guys are funny.  Imagine, what was used to clean printing layout boards over the last century if they didn't use ultrasonic cleaners and dishwashing liquid?  Oh, wait ... 

[Dave V]

Stupid questions here, but I'm about to make my first foray into FUD/FXD.  What's the minimum and maximum soak times for Bestine?  I want to remove the wax but not disolve the item.  Also, can you reuse Bestine after it's already been used on FXD/FUD?  Thanks!

[peteski]

Stupid questions here, but I'm about to make my first foray into FUD/FXD.  What's the minimum and maximum soak times for Bestine?  I want to remove the wax but not disolve the item.  Also, can you reuse Bestine after it's already been used on FXD/FUD?  Thanks!

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=38311.msg463262#msg463262   

It is reusable (like most solvents).  But the dissolved wax will keeep accumulating in the solution, so as you use it over and over more wax will be leftover on the part after the solvent evaporates.   IMO the best way to deal with this is to have 2 containers of the solvent. One for the first rinse, then separate one for the final rinse.  This way you can use them both much longer without much wax residue remaining on the parts.

Many painters (both model and house) use the same procedure for cleaning brushes.

[Joetrain59]

Getting a lot of great info here. The one thing I like about bestine is that it evaporates quickly, especially when I fill that little metal dispenser.
 I would use acetone, diluted with water, 50/50, when I had to remove graphics/copy from a product before photographing it. Had to do quick, repeated tries to avoid marring surface. But sometimes, it would still happen.
 Joe D

[bbussey]

Stupid questions here, but I'm about to make my first foray into FUD/FXD.  What's the minimum and maximum soak times for Bestine?  I want to remove the wax but not disolve the item.  Also, can you reuse Bestine after it's already been used on FXD/FUD?  Thanks!

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=38311.msg463262#msg463262   

It is reusable (like most solvents).  But the dissolved wax will keeep accumulating in the solution, so as you use it over and over more wax will be leftover on the part after the solvent evaporates.   IMO the best way to deal with this is to have 2 containers of the solvent. One for the first rinse, then separate one for the final rinse.  This way you can use them both much longer without much wax residue remaining on the parts.

Many painters (both model and house) use the same procedure for cleaning brushes.

You won't have to worry about the resin being harmed, regardless of how long you soak.  I usually soak for 24 hours.  If wax residue remains, I soak another 24 hours and repeat until all wax is removed.  I've forgotten parts and left them soaking for two weeks with no residual harm to the resin.

I've noticed that the wax collects on the glass surface as well, in the form of a film.  I've also noticed around that time that the Bestine is not as effective.  When I reach that point, I replenish.

[jimmo]

I have also noticed that the recent FUD/FXD prints are not nearly as waxy as the earlier prints. My Bestine jar has had the same stuff in it for a couple of months with no residue showing.

[rschaffter]

Isn't that also Naphtha (like VM&P Naphtha I mentioned few posts earlier)?

Yes, although I find Coleman fuel to be a bit cheaper by the gallon...

[peteski]

Yes, although I find Coleman fuel to be a bit cheaper by the gallon...

I wonder if the Coleman fuel is not as pure (since it is used as fuel)?  Not that it probably matters all that much in this application.

[Lemosteam]

I have had success using a tightly woven cotton cloth over a small funnel to filter out residue from the bath jar back into the original container. It also serves as a catch basin for the tiny parts I have and prevents them from falling in.

I have not notices a film inside my bath jar after I empty it.