Alternative thinners for .....

jerryat

Active member
Joined
20 Mar 2004
Messages
3,569
Location
Nr Plymouth
Visit site
A few posts but my first thread!

I'm about to use Blakes Underwater Primer (not the epoxy version) on my hull but forgot to get the recommended thinners. Blakes say use their thinners No 1, which I believe may be similar to ordinary white spirit.

Can any of the assembled alumini tell me whether my belief is accurate, or do I have to make a 30 odd mile drive to the nearest swindlery to buy the real thing?? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Cheers Jerry
 

snowleopard

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
33,645
Location
Oxford
Visit site
Of course they aren't going to tell you because you'll go to B&Q and buy it at a quarter of the price! However when you look in their website at the products you can use the No.1 thinners with, it can hardly be anything but white spirit.

The usual disclaimers apply /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 

DickB

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2002
Messages
785
Location
Surrey, UK
Visit site
Watch out, some of the thinners are cellulose or possibly even zylene based. White spirit may not be the base. Usually you can smell the difference.
 

MacW

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2005
Messages
231
Location
Scotland
Visit site
I`ve just finished using this primer,unthinned, to help antifoul stick to bare areas of underwater grp where the original primer is no longer effective ( I stripped all the antifoul off the whole hull a couple of years ago). I did notice the thinners statement on the tin,no. 1 as you say,but it also said something about thinners no.3 (zylene?) .Was that for spraying?) Tin is on boat unfortunately. may I ask why you want to thin it ?
 

cliff

Active member
Joined
15 Apr 2004
Messages
9,468
Location
various
Visit site
[ QUOTE ]
Of course they aren't going to tell you because you'll go to B&Q and buy it at a quarter of the price! However when you look in their website at the products you can use the No.1 thinners with, it can hardly be anything but white spirit.

The usual disclaimers apply /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Actually it can be, and infact is, different. Blakes No 1 thinners comprises of 50~75% white spirit (not B&Q white spirit substitute) and 20~30% Light aromatic petroleum Naptha solvent again this is not found in B&Q "white spirit substitute" Even teh smell should tell you that they are two different solvent cocktails.

reference

----------
hammer.thumb.gif
“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 

VicS

Well-known member
Joined
13 Jul 2002
Messages
48,549
Visit site
THIS LINK is the safety data sheet which confirms that Blakes thinners no 1 is based on white spirit but it also contains solvent naphtha and light aromatics.

To a trained nose it will probably smell slightly different to plain white spirit.

I would use white spirit

sorry Cliff you obviously type faster than me.
 

isha

New member
Joined
17 Feb 2003
Messages
98
Location
North Scotland
Visit site
I've just scraped off years of antifoul and applied Blakes underwater primer with a felt roller. Did not thin the primer and it went on beautifully. Little bits brushed on where the roller wouledn't go and cleaned brush with ordinary B&Q type thinner/cleaners. Save your money
Regards
Dave
 

jerryat

Active member
Joined
20 Mar 2004
Messages
3,569
Location
Nr Plymouth
Visit site
Hi Seaboots,

I may not actually need to thin it, but wanted the option as I've never used the stuff before, and sometimes a touch of thinners makes it easier to apply and the finish a lot smoother (flow-out). The No3 is used if you're spraying as you suggest.

You're probably right Snowpeopard, I'm used to alternatives for International's paints, but haven't used Blakes before and I simply hate paying a lot extra for the 'same' product. Isha, thanks for the info. it's nice to hear from someone who's used it and been pleased with the results.

Cliff/VicS, thanks for the replies. As Snowleopard pointed out, if one checks the Blakes website, their No 1 thinners is used on a wide variety of their normal (non 2-pack or epoxy) products. Standard stuff where, the real 'non-marine' world, we'd all use plain old White spirit.

I think I'll assume WS is compatible enough for the tiny quantity I may use.

Thanks to all again.

Cheers Jerry
 

cliff

Active member
Joined
15 Apr 2004
Messages
9,468
Location
various
Visit site
For cleaning up I would agree but not for thinning the product. Having been envolved in the vehicle refinishing trade (at times hands on) it is false economy to substitute the recommended thinners for something else. If you look at the composition of Blakes No. 1 you will see it is not "white spirit" alone rather a "cocktail of solvents" but it is your boat, money and time.
Why not contact the ONLY people who can give you the correct advice? Blakes! The bulk of the advice you receive on these forums is personal opinion and should always be backed up by contacting the relevant authorities.
----------
hammer.thumb.gif
“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 

jerryat

Active member
Joined
20 Mar 2004
Messages
3,569
Location
Nr Plymouth
Visit site
Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the info. Having read the experiences of isha and seaboots, it seems I will probably not need to thin the stuff and will therefore just keep the white spirit for tool cleaning etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers Jerry
 

Birdseye

Well-known member
Joined
9 Mar 2003
Messages
28,489
Location
s e wales
Visit site
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the info. Having read the experiences of isha and seaboots, it seems I will probably not need to thin the stuff and will therefore just keep the white spirit for tool cleaning etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers Jerry

[/ QUOTE ]

One year I used cellulose thinners. Worked fine until the anti foul started flaking off /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Top