ORIGINAL POST
Hi List members
Years ago, “Carbona spot remover” in a 4 oz applicator bottle was
used to remove the oxidation from Orthoplast to enhance the bond when
you wanted two pieces to stick together. That particular product isn’t
made anymore. What else works for this application? Randy McFarland,
CPO, Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES:
MEK, Tricloroethelyne, Masters thinner will work.
Years ago we used MEK to make Orthoplast to bond to itself.
It is still made and sold in most grocery stores.
My name is Real Bois and I am a RTPO at the Health Sciences Center in
Winnipeg, Mb. Canada. We used to use carbona and were at a loss when it
became extinct, too.
We have replaced it with just regular paint thinner. We use it on
sansplint and found it works as well as Carbona. Paint thinner is cheap
and easily accessible. Try it and see if it works as well.
I believe the major ingredient is carbon tetra cloride. I don’t now if
that will help.
This theatre and supply house has some stuff.
Randy I believe the primary ingredient in Carbona was carbon
tetrachloride, which is a chemical that remains available from places
like Science Lab or Scientific Products and probably lots of other
chemical suppliers. One used to be able to purchase carbon
tetrachloride at the hardware store but it’s a known carcinogen and
the EPA and OSHA restricted its wider distribution. One should use
nitrile latex gloves and a fume hood when using carbon tetrachloride.
“Spot remover” from any Shoe finder/supplier (Miami Leather)
The spot removers that worked well to increase the bond with the
Orthoplast and SanSplint class of low temp materials contained
trichloroethylene. This is a nasty chemical linked to many genetic and
carcinogenic disorders … I believe that it may be off the market, and
why you may have trouble finding Carbona and many like products. Sorry,
but I don’t have any better solutions.
I typically will use either Acetone, Dyo (dry cleaning solution) or
Tolulyne.
Carbona was a brand of dry cleaning solution. A couple of others that
may work as well are K2R and Energine which you may be able to get at a
hardware store.
If memory serves me correctly, tri chlor ethylene (actually one word) is
the product your looking for, but I doubt if you can get it in CA. I
believe that is what Carbona was, in fact.
I think 1-1-1,Trichloroethane was the active ingredient in Carbona. I
have been pleased with using thinner from any poly or plastic adhesive:
* 3M Scotch-Grip Solvent No. 2
* Fillauer’s poly adhesive thinner
Leave the doors and windows open when you use any of the above. Be sure
to be aware of the MSDS stuff.
I believe that Carbona was like Energine. Which is naptha. Commonly
available at your hardware store. It is used when prepping sockets for
cosmetic covers with certain types of skins and adhesives. Or you might
try Xylene as an different alternative.
I have used acetone with good success.
I believe touluene(sp) works (also know as MEK [methyl Ethyl Keytone]),
but it is a big health hazard.
It’s carbon tetrachloride.
