Solvent for removing Hylomar Hylotyte Red compound

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

I need to carry out some secondary brazing operations on a steam fitting which has previously been smeared with Hylomar Hylotyte Red thread sealing compound for pressure testing under air (not steam) and I am looking for a suitable solvent to help in the cleaning-up process. I am currently using white spirit which does not seem to be very effective. Can anyone suggest a more effective solution?

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

The recommended Hylomar Cleaner is primarily acetone, try that first.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

cellulose gun wash

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

I think that Methylene Chloride was the solvent for blue Hylomar.

That might work?

Howard

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Brake cleaner or meths may work. Noel

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

You need use a chemical easy to obtain, not only effective as a solvent!

Many common solvents are effective on substances in liquid form – acetone for example will dissolve synthetic-resin (e.g. ‘Araldite’) while that is still liquid – but not once the stuff has cured.

Methylene chloride might work but can a private individual buy it in small volumes? Some chemicals stockists permit only accredited industrial customers.

“Cellulose gun wash”: is that acetone? The thinners sold for certain paints, including by Hammerite, may attack hardened sealant.

DIY paint-stripper might work, so might brake fluid (distinct from brake cleaner) as that attacks some paints.

So might a hot, strong caustic soda solution, as I think used as a paint-stripper by furniture-restorers; but note this will also attack some metals, especially aluminium.

[Nigel Graham 2]

On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

 

Methylene chloride might work but can a private individual buy it in small volumes? Some chemicals stockists permit only accredited industrial customers.

Probably the easiest way to get small quantities(say 5litres) is from the various fibre-glass suppliers.

“Cellulose gun wash”: is that acetone? The thinners sold for certain paints, including by Hammerite, may attack hardened sealant.

 

Cellulose gun wash is the low quality end of cellulose thinners, so it’s mainly a mix of acetone, xylene and toluene. The last time I bought some, it was about 1/2 the price of ordinary thinner, which in turn was 2/3 the price of top-gloss thinner. I like it as a heavy degreaser as it’s effective, readily available, cheap, and doesn’t live a greasy film like petrol or avgas. The constituent chemicals are very bad for you, so care must be taken when using it.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Wire wheel might be better prep for brazing than solvent?

If not, spray can gasket stripper for automotive use is made for the job. CRC brand works well. So well that you don’t want to get it on bare skin.

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Many thanks for all the advice offered.  I have now been able to try acetone on the job which appears to be quite effective, certainly when the Hylomar is fresh from the tube but as in the present application when it had been allowed to dry out over a couple of months a little elbow grease was found to be necessary.

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