Tenax evaporating

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Tenax evaporating

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:05 PM

I've noticed that even when it's closed tightly, Tenax will slowly evaporate, supposedly through the lid even. Anyone else get this, and how to prevent it?

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:29 AM

Keeping the lid on tightly and storing it in a cool spot away from direct light is about all you can do.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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gregbale

Member since
March 2003
From: Towson MD

Posted by gregbale on Thursday, November 25, 2004 6:55 AM

I've used Tenax for years, but never had this problem consistently until the last year or so---maybe there's something new in their packaging. I've taken to keeping my "reserve" bottles in a zip-lock bag, which seems to help. I just make sure I seal the "working" bottle as tightly as I can.
Greg

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 25, 2004 8:40 AM

its an idea, how about storing the tenax in a humidor ?

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Thursday, November 25, 2004 9:41 AM

If you build more, you use it before you lose it Smile [:)]

.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Thursday, November 25, 2004 10:07 AM

I had the same thing. The bottle was going down, and I was certain I wasn't using it that quickly. One day I opened it up, and it was gone!

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:46 PM

I've had that problem from day one with this stuff. I've noticed that it sometimes goes quickly and sometimes not. The surrounding atmosphere plays a major role here, but I'm not about to conduct a scientific experiment to find out exactly what the ideal storage conditions for Tenax would be... Tongue [:P]

Just another 'fact of life' for the modeler, I guess...

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 2, 2004 1:23 AM

Thanks all. Nice to know I'm not going nuts. Confused [%-)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 9:27 AM

What about the health hazardous, I think Tenax is supposed to be cancerigen, isn't?

Saul

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 5:57 PM

Well, pretty much every chemical we use in this hobby isn't exactly good for us...

Fade to Black...

ETO Club Public Forums

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 6:11 PM

My son is conducting experiments on just how long an open bottle of Tenax will last. So far he has used three bottles of the stuff and has come to no significant conclusion other than dad (me) will always buy more. . .
I can make a bottle last for quite a while if I keep it tightly closed after use. My model room is in a basement, insulated and with a dehymidifier/humidifier on the furnace and in operartion depending on the season. Average temperature is 68F.

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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paulnchamp

Member since
January 2003
From: Warwick, RI

Posted by paulnchamp on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 8:23 PM

It's great stuff but I had to stop using it - seemed like it evaporated almost before my eyes. Couldn't afford to keep up with it!

Paul "A man's GOT to know his limitations."

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tho9900

Member since
July 2004
From: SETX. USA

Posted by tho9900 on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 9:21 PM

I just got my first bottle about a month ago... almost empty (humidity here is like 60% plus year round) the ambroids I bought 6 months ago??? still got about 1/3 of a bottle.. wierd... think I am gonna stick with Ambroids...

and the bottle is sealed tight... ever since I saw this thread I always check it twice before I put it back on the shelf...

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!

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Tankmaster7

Member since
August 2004
From: Nowhere. (Long Island)

Posted by Tankmaster7 on Thursday, December 30, 2004 11:07 PM

here's an amusing story. i was ina hoby shop, and i noticed that half the tenax bottle they were selling were empty!!!

-Tanky

Welcome to the United States of America, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, in partnership with Halliburton. Security for your constitutional rights provided by Blackwater International.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 31, 2004 7:37 PM

Has anyone tried using teflon tape around the threads of the bottle to assist in the seal? No idea how the tape and Tenax would react to one-another, however.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Friday, December 31, 2004 8:33 PM

How about storing it in a vacuum chamber? Clown [:o)]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Friday, December 31, 2004 8:56 PM

I have the same issues with Tenax. Seems no matter what precautions I take, including a homemade Teflon cap liner, the stuff keeps evaporating right in front of me! It's good stuff, but too darned expensive to let it try to glue atmospheric molecules together. I'll stick with ambroid type products.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 1, 2005 6:57 PM

I use Touch-N-Flow applicators from flexi-file. Capillary action pulls the solvent into the glass tube when you dip it in the bottle or you can suck on the other end to speed it up.

A bottle will last a very long time because it is only open to load the tube and you also don't have it evaporating off a brush.

It works great for Zip-Kicker also

try storing the bottle in a ziplock bag when not in use.

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Sunday, January 2, 2005 2:14 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hatewall
or you can suck on the other end to speed it up.

Do NOT do that! It is a carcinogen. Dead [xx(]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 2, 2005 4:23 PM

Lol, I have been a professional model builder and sculptor for 12 years. I'm sure there are a lot of other chemicals that have dibs on my demise.

Mike is right though, that wasn't a good tip for an all ages board.

About 6 years ago I was filling a syringe from a gallon can of weld-on. When I went to squeeze the air out of it, there was a bit of styrene clogged in the needle and instead of shooting up, it took a 90 right into my eye. It felt incredible.

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Sunday, January 2, 2005 6:35 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by paulnchamp

It's great stuff but I had to stop using it - seemed like it evaporated almost before my eyes. Couldn't afford to keep up with it!

You might consider getting a quart of MEK from Home Depot. It's the active ingredient in Tenax-7 and cost less than $4!

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 1:40 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Woody

QUOTE: Originally posted by paulnchamp

It's great stuff but I had to stop using it - seemed like it evaporated almost before my eyes. Couldn't afford to keep up with it!

You might consider getting a quart of MEK from Home Depot. It's the active ingredient in Tenax-7 and cost less than $4!

Does it work the same as Tenax? What department at Home Depot is it located?

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 5:57 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by paz8473

Does it work the same as Tenax? What department at Home Depot is it located?

It's not diluted so it's a little "hotter" and it's in the paint dept.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 8:51 AM

I just thought of an old trick. Some people store certain items flipped upside-down to keep them from evaporating. Anyone care to try this with their Tenax?

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 11:07 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Woody

QUOTE: Originally posted by paz8473

Does it work the same as Tenax? What department at Home Depot is it located?

It's not diluted so it's a little "hotter" and it's in the paint dept.

That stuff is dangerous also and stinks.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 12:23 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by MikeV

That stuff is dangerous also and stinks.
Mike

That is true it is as dangerous at Tenax-7 so take care and read the cautions on the can.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 12:31 PM

Woody,

I meant that I think it is even more dangerous than Tenax isn't it?
Tenax has only part of it's ingredients as MEK.
I am no expert so I will wait for Gip to inform us. Wink [;)]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 2:00 PM

you are correct Mike. It can cause chemical burns on the skin.

If you get it under your fingernails, you will wish the Lord would come and take you.

MEK is also the active ingredient that cures polyester resin in fiberglassing. It will work as stated in the post but it is nasty stuff.

Find a plastic distributor, and get a pint of weld-on #3. Thats all you need. I have been using the same can of weld-on for a year.

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 5:49 PM

As far as chemicals go M.E.K. isn't too bad. It is listed as a respiratory, eye, and skin irritant by OSHA. I'm the Safety Officer in charge of the MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheets) and OSHA chemical compliance where I work so I did a little checking into M.E.K. . It seems it is a very safe chemical when used as directed. OSHA calls for safety glasses and adequate ventilation. It is also not a carcinogen. Here is a link to a copy of the MSDS. http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/BU/2-butanone.html

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 6:27 PM

Straight MEK doesnt have some of the properties of a good plastic solvent. MEK will evaporate at a much slower rate. I have used MEK extensively and I don't recommend it for casual builders.

I used to run the model shop for Paramount/Viacom in the southeast and we used gallons of the stuff. Take the time to find a good plastic solvent and you won't regret it. If you want to kick off poly resin or bondo, then go MEK. For joining plastic, you want methylene chloride.

Weld-On 3 is made by:
IPS Corporation
PO Box 379 17109 Main St
Gardena, Ca 90248

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