XTC 3D and a solvent (thinner)

[DBFIU]

Hi,

I like to use XTC 3D, but it is naturally a very thick epoxy. I would like to thin it out and paint on to ABS. What is a good solvent to use to do this and how much should I mix? The instructions say one part XTC to 250 parts solvent, but they dont say what kind of solvent. Thanks!

[Starlord]

I doubt that the ratio is anything like 250:1.

From http://www.smooth-on.com/tb/files/XTC3D_TB.pdf

Thinning XTC-3D® for Coating Starch / Powder Printed Parts:

Viscosity can be lowered with acetone or denatured alcohol to penetrate porous parts.

Mix Ratio
Cure Time
Thin:
Mix 200 Parts A + 100 Parts B + 25 Parts Solvent.
12 Hours
Thinner:
Mix 200 Parts A + 100 Parts B + 50 Parts Solvent.
24 Hours
The more solvent added, the longer XTC-3D® will take to cure. Cured material will be
more flexible

[jimc]

acetone would really be the solvent of choice. dont really worry about any ratio as far as thinning goes. you can make it as thick or as thin as you want.

[DBFIU]

Acetone softens ABS, shouldnt that be avoided?

[LambdaFF]

The XTC manual also indicates that you gain a lot of use time if you spread it on tin foil instead of in a bowl due to mass concentration.

[curious aardvark]

denetured alcohol would be the SENSIBLE solvent of choice. It's considerably less toxic than acetone and if you've got any left over you can dilute it down (a lot) with orange juice for a cocktail :-)
Also, not sure if alcohol will dissolve abs, if it doesn't then it should give you a better finish than acetone based xtc.

[jimc]

haha caa, dont tell anyone that. its not that type of alcohol. denatured type is a poison. alcohol of the denatured type is just as deadly as acetone which isnt much. both are relatively safe provided you dont ingest it or blow yourself up with it. another bit of useless knowledge.....if you were to ingest denatured alcohol your liver actually turns it into acetone. before or after your dead im not too sure. lol. acetone does soften abs but only until it flashes off. you will have better adhesion with acetone as a thinner since it will open up the abs and the epoxy will bond. the acetone flashes off leaving only epoxy behind. your part will not be left softened. alcohol will generally work also, nothing wrong with it at all. you would probably not know a difference with either type of solvent but if you were worried about chipping for some reason you would certainly find acetone used as the solvent will provide a far superior bond and chip resistance.

[DBFIU]

haha caa, dont tell anyone that. Its not that type of alcohol. Denatured type is a poison. Alcohol of the denatured type is just as deadly as acetone which isnt much. Both are relatively safe provided you dont ingest it or blow yourself up with it. Another bit of useless knowledge.....if you were to ingest denatured alcohol your liver actually turns it into acetone. Before or after your dead im not too sure. Lol. Acetone does soften abs but only until it flashes off. You will have better adhesion with acetone as a thinner since it will open up the abs and the epoxy will bond. The acetone flashes off leaving only epoxy behind. Your part will not be left softened. Alcohol will generally work also, nothing wrong with it at all. You would probably not know a difference with either type of solvent but if you were worried about chipping for some reason you would certainly find acetone used as the solvent will provide a far superior bond and chip resistance.

awesome thank you!