For Shapeways - Bestine or Goo Gone?

[atsf3751]

I have seen several mentions on Shapeways of soaking your parts in Bestine for 24 hours. I do not have any Bestine and most online searches end up with shipping costing more than the product.

I do have a quart of Goo Gone, will that do as well? How about a toothbrush with hot soapy water?

[Mark W]

Nothing compares to the Bestine Bath.  If you can't find it locally, it's well worth the shipping. 

[pdx1955]

I had no issues in soaking Shapeway's parts in Goo Gone for a few days. The parts were still translucent directly out of the soak but turned opaque after rinsing and drying. The pieces do smell a bit like the Goo-Gone but I'm hoping it will go away once its sealed with paint.

[C855B]

I agree with Mark. Bestine wins hands down. It's recyclable, too - just refrigerate after using, and the Shapeways wax from the soak will precipitate out. Filter with cone-style paint filters, and it's ready for your next project.

[bbussey]

If you can't find Bestine, look for any heptane-based product.  Bestine is heptane.

I'm surprised you can't find Bestine online at a reasonable price, now that distribution has resumed.  Blicks carries it.  Amazon carries it.  Last time I checked both, the cost and freight were reasonable.  I have a Blicks seven miles down the road so I get mine in the store.

[peteski]

In a pinch, Naphtha is also a related substance.  It can be purchased in hardware stores as Varnish Makers & Painters (VM&P) Naphta (type of a paint thinner) or in small  (and more expensive) quantities as Ronsonol Lighter Fluid for use on the old-fashion Zippo-type lighters.

[JMaurer1]

Shipping (IMHO) has been expensive since it is very flammable. Here in Calif, it has yet to make a return at Blicks or anywhere else for that matter.

[Lemosteam]

Going to get yelled at here by @C855B  , but using it in my ultrasonic cleaner (under a watchful eye) has turned 24 hours into 20 minutes so if I want instant gratification, it works well.

[Mark5]

Any art supply store (like Blick) should be able to get it (Bestine), unless it is banned in California or something ... 

[bobthebear]

We have to use Goo Gone here in U.K. because it's impossible to get Bestine. At least it works!
Cheers, Bob.

[Lemosteam]

We have to use Goo Gone here in U.K. because it's impossible to get Bestine. At least it works!
Cheers, Bob.

@bobthebear , are you suggesting that lighter fluid is not available in the UK?  As @peteski mentioned, it works nearly as well.

[bobthebear]

No, just Bestine. Haven't tried lighter fuel, as I've got Goo Gone anyway.

[robert3985]

I agree with Mark. Bestine wins hands down. It's recyclable, too - just refrigerate after using, and the Shapeways wax from the soak will precipitate out. Filter with cone-style paint filters, and it's ready for your next project.

This is a great tip!  I'll have to do this with my wax-filled Bestine in that old Bestine can!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[C855B]

Going to get yelled at here by @C855B  , ...

Damn tootin'!     

Ya' know, I was thinking about you last week. There was a science show on PBS about extreme weather, and one of the segments was about fire tornadoes. What did they use to demonstrate the effect? About a dozen trays of heptane. (Truthfully, it could have been white gas or even plain gasoline, but I think they used heptane because it ignites quickly and has less smoke, both better for the demo.)

This is a great tip!

Thanks, Bob! It was posted a couple of years back on TRW, I can't recall by whom. Credit needs to go there. But it works great!

[peteski]

Thanks, Bob! It was posted a couple of years back on TRW, I can't recall by whom. Credit needs to go there. But it works great!

IIRC, the refrigeration tip was from our own @David K. Smith .