Hammerite Thinners and Scotch

[sparkythecat]

I have over the years used Hammerite in numerous applications and have been generally impressed with its performance. I am however far from impressed with the price of their proprietory thinners and brush cleaner. I had to buy some today from the local branch of B&Q and was staggered to have to pay £4.15 for 250ml Thats more expensive than a reasonable bottle of Scotch and IMHO nothing like as palatable!
Does anyone know if brushes used for Hammerite can be cleaned in scotch or can anyone recommend a cheaper effective alternative ?.

[Ballistic Banana]

I find it cheaper and cleaner just to buy a new Brush
Of course u have to do as much as u can in one go otherwise it will cost u just as much in brushes.
Not being a lover of scotch and having a few bottles in the house i will be happy to try a scientific experiment, held in labortary conditions to test ur theory.
:stoppedsniffindthinners:

BB

[zippy500]

Xylene works on hammerite, although this may not be much use as its more expensive than the thinners. I pinched a few litres from my previous employer. Very handy I must say.

[montegogt]

Easy peasy! Most paints, including Hammerite, are oil based, so all you need to do is to wash them in detergent, or washing up liquid to the uninformed. Keep rinsing under a running tap until the water is clear. Use cold water, as hot can cause rather unpleasant, if not leathal fumes.

[incorrigible]

Value brushes in do-it-all £2.50 for a set of 6

I use these exclusively for fibreglass stuff, use once, throw away, you don't have the "what have I used this for can I use it on something else" thought every time you pick up a brush either

[RichB]

montegogt said: Easy peasy! Most paints, including Hammerite, are oil based, so all you need to do is to wash them in detergent, or washing up liquid

Sorry but that is absolute crap! You've obviously never tried cleaning a brush that has been used for Hammerite! (with all due respect) Rich...

[mrsd]

Any chandlers that sells paint will prob. have xylene as you need it to thin protecta-kote. Should be about £5+vat a litre.
Warning xylene is not good for you and should be used in a very well ventilated area only (pref. outside) It also dissolves Astracast sinks (as I know to my cost )

edited to add: try www.boatpaint.co.uk (from memory so sorry if it doesn't work)


>> Edited by mrsd on Wednesday 12th March 12:12

[bogbeast]

I have always use normal thinners, always cleaned the brushes and sprayguns I have used with hamerite

I have even used it to thin hammerite for spraying with no issue (solid finish, never flaked or suffered any finish problem)

Of course always using the correct safetry procedures and breathing apparatus !!

[simon.b]

Just go to a local auto-motive paint suppliers (find in yellow pages) and ask for cellulose thinners or basic thinners same stuff, it’s actually called xxxx (cant remember I’ll have a look on the tin tonight) the last tin I bought was £3.50 inc. VAT for 5 litre’s.

It thins nearly all the smelly type paints (Hammerite included). Its also good for cleaning just about anything, but beware used excessively it dose also remove paint so be careful on those purple rocker covers.

Cheers,

Simon.

[sparkythecat]

Thanks for the advice chaps. There's a chandlers just down the road so I'll give Xylene a try. If it doesn't clean the brushes, next time I run out of scotch I'll try it with an Ir'n Brew mixer.This usually masks the taste of most things.

[montegogt]

On the conrary Rich, did some Hammeriting a few weeks ago....

[RichB]

Well I'll give it a go with the washing-up liquid, if it works you've just saved a lot of people a lot of hassel.

[donatien]

There I was thinking this was a new cocktail recipe.