Anyone have experience with MEK?

**MrRoo** · 03-07-2018, 11:31 AM

First post here. Been following for a long time. I have been helping an aviation paint shop do details. I ceramic coated a plane. After that they did a start up on it an it blew oil all over the whole plane. This is normal for a radial engine. The guys in the shop thought it would be easy to use MEK to wipe off the oil. On top of that, they used paper towels. I was not there and did not know they did this till I came in to final inspect. I was not happy as it ruined the ceramic coating. Had to completely buff off and start over. $1000 in product and countless hours wasted. My main question is what would you recommend to clean oil safely off fresh paint without harming the ceramic coatings or paint? I am working with mostly new paint jobs as we are a paint shop. Sometimes base/clear and sometimes single stage paint.

**ronkh57** · 03-07-2018, 11:36 AM

Why the double posts?

**forrest@mothers** · 03-07-2018, 02:59 PM

MEK is some nasty stuff. It melts acrylic plastic.

If I wanted something to remove fresh oil, I'd use a waterless wash & wax - which also wouldn't bother your coating.

**luckydawg** · 03-07-2018, 06:04 PM

MEK is some potent liquid- for sure would take any protection off and probably damage any clear if any was there
I would always wear gloves and a resperator as that stuff WILL make your head spin / dizzy
I would use an APC to clean off oil

**PaulMys** · 03-07-2018, 06:24 PM

Methyl Ethyl Keytone Peroxide Or MEK-P is really dangerous stuff.

Be careful with it.

**forrest@mothers** · 03-07-2018, 06:29 PM

I can't believe anyone in an aviation shop would use MEK. Since it can weaken acrylic, using it near windows can weaken them and cause major problems, particularly on an aircraft that's pressurized.

I'd consult with someone who has an A&P license about what chemicals are safe to use in that environment.

**luckydawg** · 03-07-2018, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by forrest@mothers

I can't believe anyone in an aviation shop would use MEK.

Well guess your in for a surprise
When I was in the navy in the airframes division - We used it all the time

**forrest@mothers** · 03-07-2018, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by luckydawg

Well guess your in for a surprise
When I was in the navy in the airframes division - We used it all the time

Learned something new today. But I'm still surprised. Was it used near the canopy?

**luckydawg** · 03-07-2018, 06:38 PM

We used it mainly to clean parts and spray guns with if I can remember- been a long time like 1978 / 1979 ish
Have not been around it since then But that smell / odor stays with you- I know it when I smell it

**forrest@mothers** · 03-07-2018, 06:41 PM

I had a summer job 1975 before I started college - building clear plastic display boxes using MEK to melt the plastic corners/edges together through a large needle fed from a glass bottle.

NEVER want to do that again. Stuff made you lighter-headed than some of the recreational products that were available to us way back then.