Sold/Expired Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

[ViReN]

I have quite a few Loctite'd lights / Potted lights. I have been reading for alternative (relatively safe) and easy methods to do the unpotting, I came across one article that mentions to unbonding things, use of solvents, one of them is
Nitromethane

suited best for cyanoacrylate based Potting. What do you think? once it softens the things, it will be just a matter of simple twist.

(I know Nuwai uses cyanoacrylate based potting) what others do use?
What about Fenix? and others...

will this thing work? any safety issues?

Edit: hey... see #3

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Modding...Using *Nitromethane* to undo Potting

Well, it may work but...I don't know where you'd find it in small quantities, plus it's not the most stable of chemicals in its pure state...I'd be cautious. Not sure of what effect it would have on plastic lenses. I use model airplane fuels that have 15% nitromethane, but they also have about 18% oil mixed in as well...that would be messy. Many of the thread locking compounds are cyanoacrylate based (Super glue) like you mentioned...how about trying a cyanoacrylate debonding liquid? It's made to dissolve Super glues from fingers, etc. Most hobby shops carry it, it comes in a 1 or 2 ounce squeeze bottle, and it costs a few bucks.

The only other thing is that many flashlight heads are o-ring sealed, that may prevent anything from actually getting to the thread lock.

 

[ViReN]

Re: Modding...Using *Nitromethane* to undo Potting

FlashCrazy, you are right, it may not be very safe... and it's true, that oRing Sealed Lights may have difficulty..... after posting this thread.... i just happened to see Nail Polish Remover around..... I just tried it.... (basically dipped the whole L0P head in it) for a couple of minutes....... and it dried quickly, i tried with my bare hands, it felt loose (hands warmth allowed some air locked in threads to escape) ... again had a few drops in the threadgap.. and kaboom.... it WORKEDDDDDDdddddddddddddddddddddd........................................

simple solution, to a messy thread locking.... i am going to try this on other lights as well....

I do have some Seoul U Bins (warm bins) with me... and gonna mod L0P... will post results soon....

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

As far as potting I think a lot use epoxy based stuff and I don't think nitromethane (nasty explosive stuff) will do much for that.

 

[will]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

Doesn't nail polish remover attack plastic? It is the acetone that does it.

 

[CancerLad]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

Companies put a number of things in 'nail polish remover', including acetone, ethyl acetate and isopropanol. Isopropanol is safe to use with most plastics, but just about anything else may not be.

Nitromethane is flammable, but it is not explosive unless it is heated.

 

[ViReN]

Companies put a number of things in 'nail polish remover', including acetone, ethyl acetate and isopropanol. Isopropanol is safe to use with most plastics, but just about anything else may not be.

Nitromethane is flammable, but it is not explosive unless it is heated.

i guess that non lethal mixture of nail polish remover acts over the loctite and makes it soften...

the best part is that you don't even have to use any tools, simple hand twisting works, like opening a tail cap with heavy (viscose) lub.

 

[flashburn72]

Isn't nitro the same stuff they use in rc plane and car application?? I think that stuff is very easy to get.mix with a little castor oil and it is not as dangerous

but you might want to try denatured alcohol.It is pretty much safe for all electronics so it should be allright for plastics.doesnt have the nasty smell like nail polish

 

[ViReN]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

*NailPolish Remover* is the star..... it's very easily available and very easy to use.

Till now, I have opened following Fenix Lights with ease (no brute force, no boiling, no fire... just the liquid)
1) L0P
2) Civictor V1
3) L2P V1
3) L2P V2

(try at your own risk, i may not be held responsible for damage) Method I used is simple
1) In case of civictor and L2P V1 pour some of the remover in the head, let it stay for a couple of minutes, (i filled it to half)
2) Use a Nose Pliers to loosen and unscrew, no fierce force required. preferably use vice to hold, if not available, use ordinary pliers and cloth (i used jeans) ... and there you go

For L0P, Dip head in remover for couple of minutes and just unscrew it by hand!... very simple and easy.

The Nail Polish remover that i used is (it's readily available in local Carrefour)
Conditioning Nail Polish Remover Light Blue Color
From Collection 2000 Ltd. (brand)
Made in England

Contents are
1) Acetone
2) Aqua
3) PPG-20
4) Methyl Glucose Eather
5) Denatonium Benzonate
6) CI 42090

 

[Atomic_Chicken]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

Greetings!

Nail Polish Remover is mainly Acetone - you can buy a HUGE can of Acetone at your local hardware store for less than a small container of Nail Polish Remover, and you won't have the added color and smell junk they add to NPR that you don't need.

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[nanotech17]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

that's cool.
Thanx ViRen

 

[cy]

did the acetone damage anything inside after you got it open?

*NailPolish Remover* is the star..... it's very easily available and very easy to use.

Till now, I have opened following Fenix Lights with ease (no brute force, no boiling, no fire... just the liquid)
1) L0P
2) Civictor V1
3) L2P V1
3) L2P V2

(try at your own risk, i may not be held responsible for damage) Method I used is simple
1) In case of civictor and L2P V1 pour some of the remover in the head, let it stay for a couple of minutes, (i filled it to half)
2) Use a Nose Pliers to loosen and unscrew, no fierce force required. preferably use vice to hold, if not available, use ordinary pliers and cloth (i used jeans) ... and there you go

For L0P, Dip head in remover for couple of minutes and just unscrew it by hand!... very simple and easy.

The Nail Polish remover that i used is (it's readily available in local Carrefour)
Conditioning Nail Polish Remover Light Blue Color
From Collection 2000 Ltd. (brand)
Made in England

Contents are
1) Acetone
2) Aqua
3) PPG-20
4) Methyl Glucose Eather
5) Denatonium Benzonate
6) CI 42090

 

[ViReN]

did the acetone damage anything inside after you got it open?

nah, nothing, it didnt damage. What ever damage was there was the previous attempts (PCB Scratched) but apart from that nothing.

In fact, the NailPolishRemover is a very good cleaning solution ...easily removes the Dirt in threads, including the gel / greese.

ViReN

 

[cy]

I'd like to upgrade my Lo ti emitter to P4, but don't want to damage board/reflector.

so you dip entire head in acetone for a few minutes without damage....

 

[Mike L.]

Products containing acetone should be used in a well-ventilated place. Please be aware that the fumes are very "not good for you." You also want to minimize skin contact. Oh, and no smoking. Read the label.
I like my fellow flashaholics and want them to be safe.

--Mike L.

 

[greenLED]

Re: Modding...Using *NailPolish Remover* to undo Potting...it worked on L0P... WOW....

I'd be very careful - don't want the acetone dissolving any critical components.

 

[Robban]

Products containing acetone should be used in a well-ventilated place. Please be aware that the fumes are very "not good for you." You also want to minimize skin contact. Oh, and no smoking. Read the label.
I like my fellow flashaholics and want them to be safe.

--Mike L.

I've had my hand covered in acetone and catch on fire (don't ask...), it wasn't all that pleasant. So yeah, be careful around flames. Only "good" thing about it is that it evaporates very quickly so it didn't have time to do much more than burn the hair from my hand