Joined
·
21 Posts
Just thought I'd share my little screw-up for your amusement:
A procedure I do NOT recommend
Note to self: Acetone melts certain plastics rather quickly.
What I was trying to do, for those that care, was prep some alloy surfaces (a FSA carbon crank arm) prior to applying loctite 641. Previously, they were (incorrectly) covered with grease which I had already removed with Simple Green. I was going to use the Acetone to get the last bit of greasy film off so that the loctite would stick better.
At least I didn't spill/drip any acetone on my cranks (arms). It never occurred to me that it could ruin the finish. I haven't tested this theory, but based on my recent experience, I'm not about to try.
I knew acetone was strong (so I was wearing gloves), I didn't realize it could eat through a plastic cup in less than 30 seconds. Amazing.
BTW: Anyone have any suggestions on how to clean such parts with Acetone now? I'll probably try q-tips next so that I can keep the acetone away from the carbon finish. Some have suggested rubbing alcohol instead, but I'd read that Acetone was a better degreaser for use prior to applying loctite. Clearly it can melt plastics faster!
Cheers,
George
A procedure I do NOT recommend
- Carefully pour acetone into a disposable plastic cup until about 1/3 full. Not too full, you don't want to spill or waste anything...
- Take old toothbrush that you've already used to clean bike parts and scrub it in acetone to remove any residual grease
- Smile to self as grease comes off easily - wow, acetone works great!
- Smile fades as you notice weird gooey stuff building up on toothbrush - realize it is the cup rapidly dissolving
- Swear loudly as you run into house looking for a glass jar that you should have used in step 1.
- Attempt to pour contents of plastic cup into glass jar - realize plastic cup is mysteriously empty
- Notice that plastic cup is no longer attached to it's bottom
- Observe pool of acetone spreading across table - now melting toothbrush and nearby screwdriver handle
- Swear some more
- Grab paper towels and clean up big mess
- Throw everything away
Note to self: Acetone melts certain plastics rather quickly.
What I was trying to do, for those that care, was prep some alloy surfaces (a FSA carbon crank arm) prior to applying loctite 641. Previously, they were (incorrectly) covered with grease which I had already removed with Simple Green. I was going to use the Acetone to get the last bit of greasy film off so that the loctite would stick better.
At least I didn't spill/drip any acetone on my cranks (arms). It never occurred to me that it could ruin the finish. I haven't tested this theory, but based on my recent experience, I'm not about to try.
I knew acetone was strong (so I was wearing gloves), I didn't realize it could eat through a plastic cup in less than 30 seconds. Amazing.
BTW: Anyone have any suggestions on how to clean such parts with Acetone now? I'll probably try q-tips next so that I can keep the acetone away from the carbon finish. Some have suggested rubbing alcohol instead, but I'd read that Acetone was a better degreaser for use prior to applying loctite. Clearly it can melt plastics faster!
Cheers,
George