How To Thin Barge

[badLoveLeather]

I use Barge Cement for a lot of what I do. Sometimes the time between projects is a little long and my garage studio is always close to the temperature of the outside. So if its close to 100 the studio is an oven and when its close to 40 the studio is a tomb. This temperature plays havoc on my glue pot. While I do try to keep it in the best part of the studio the climate still affects glue. When its hot it evaporates off the Toulene (solvent ingredient in Barge) and when its cold the glue is like thick unmanageable molasses.

I usually keep the 1 gallon can here and when I need it I need it. So, in order to work with the temperature changes and the fact that my glue pot its not always air tight I use thinner.

I like to work with Barge that is a little thinner in consistency. If you use and purchase Barge then chances are you can get a can of thinner. I usually use the thinner when the glue is clumping together much like elephant boogers. What I've found is, using the thinner can make my glue last a lot longer. Which these days is good on the pocket.

I pour the thinner directly in the glue pot and use a plastic spoon ( stirring utensil is up to u, I used one my wife wouldn't miss.). Stir the glue and pull the spoon out to see the glue drip off. I like it thinner so i like to see a spoonful drip off fairly quick. Once you reach the desired consistency keep stirring for the solvent to mix with the glue. This usually takes about 10 minutes or so to be through.

********Because Barge and the Thinner are Solvent based items, PLEASE ALWAYS do this in a WELL VENTILATED space. Your brain will thank you later**************

[Luke Hatley]

Your Glue Pot needs cleaning..........

I prefer Masters Cement, it is a little thinner. but i do have the same problems as you do.

Yes i add the thinner like you. What i use it the plastic container tha i got at Tandy,

is seems like i can get a better air tight seal with it.

[pete]

Small plastic soda bottle. Punch a hole in the top, use a sheep scrap 1-2" sq. to spread it. Leave the scrap on the top when not in use- glue will never get thick, squeeze and pour where you want, throw away the bottle when you're done.

The bottle holds more than you could use for most any project. Try it- I went the "glue pot" for years- NO comparison.

pete

[JRedding]

I've always used a plain old metal coffee can, the plastic lids seal pretty well, I just put a hardware store paintbrush in there and leave it. I've had the same brush in a coffee can full of glue for twenty years. And when they go bad you can replace the lid without cleaning out the can and replacing it too. And if you drink the right brand of coffee they're free.

[Dwight]

I use Weldwood contact cement, . . . never, . . . never, . . . never needs thinning, . . . at least in my applications, . . . belts & holsters mostly.

I try to only buy the "Gel" formula, . . . it works the best, . . . I leave it in it's original can, . . . pop up the paint can type lid with a metal opener, . . . use what I want with a disposable acid brush, . . . pitch the brush, . . . close the can, . . . no fuss, no muss, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

[sniper]

Hello:

Just a bit off-topic: I use the kind of contact cement Tandy sells in the small cans. My holster-making instructor says he doesn't like it because it doesn't hold.. I can't say one way or the other...it seems to , so far. What experience have you had with the Tandy product, and is Weldwood contact or any other brand superior?

To keep the screw top from getting glued to the can, I use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the threads, which makes things come apart easily the next time yoiu want to use it.

Thanx.

[bkingery]

Hello:

Just a bit off-topic: I use the kind of contact cement Tandy sells in the small cans. My holster-making instructor says he doesn't like it because it doesn't hold.. I can't say one way or the other...it seems to , so far. What experience have you had with the Tandy product, and is Weldwood contact or any other brand superior?

To keep the screw top from getting glued to the can, I use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the threads, which makes things come apart easily the next time yoiu want to use it.

Thanx.

Weldwood may not be not superior but definitely cheaper, and easier to get as you can get it at any hardware store.

B

[Manges]

Can regular ’paint thinner’ be used to thin the cement?

[tsunkasapa]

21 hours ago, Manges said:

Can regular ’paint thinner’ be used to thin the cement?

No, two different critters entirely.

[mike02130]

Xylene is the stuff--so I've heard.  I've tried paint thinner and acetone and they don't work.  Everytime I go to a paint or hardware store, I forget to look for it.

[TomE]

22 hours ago, Manges said:

Can regular ’paint thinner’ be used to thin the cement?

Barge cement thins nicely with Tanner's Bond cement thinner available at Tandy's.  Barge all purpose thinner behaves similarly.   I think both thinners contain toluene, heptane, and some ethyl acetate.  Toluene is available in hardware stores.  The other ingredients are harder to find.

[Wepster]

I read on a reddit that the thinner is methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). I do not know if that is correct.

[Wepster]

1 hour ago, TomE said:

Barge cement thins nicely with Tanner's Bond cement thinner available at Tandy's.  Barge all purpose thinner behaves similarly.   I think both thinners contain toluene, heptane, and some ethyl acetate.  Toluene is available in hardware stores.  The other ingredients are harder to find.

the SDS for both the cement and the thinner confirms the above.

[Handstitched]

On 6/30/2023 at 2:26 AM, Manges said:

Can regular ’paint thinner’ be used to thin the cement?

No.  I know brands are different , but  I use toluene in my contact adhesive to thin it out . Don't need much,   approx a table spoon if the (500ml)  tin is still a bit full, or half full.  Or a few tea spoons to soften up the bits at the bottom  . I usually leave it over night for best results. 

HS

[dikman]

There's a rule of thumb I discovered a long time ago - the nastier the stuff is (to you) the better it works!!!!!

Toluene and Xylene are both very good thinners - but you don't want to make a habit of breathing them in.

[Handstitched]

1 hour ago, dikman said:

Toluene and Xylene are both very good thinners - but you don't want to make a habit of breathing them in.

Very true, worked with toluene in the fibreglass industry for many years, and it was also once used in the process of printing newspapers , was   part for that too once. It  can burn on contact with the skin. 

And for those with sensitive skin, wear gloves & eye protection . 

HS