Question about Tempilaq

[TnTom]

I was about to anneal some cases and when I opened my Tempilaq the thinner had evaporated. There is a warning on the box to use Tempilaq thinner only. At $15.00 for just the thinner plus S/H and I haven't used but a small amount of the solution from the original bottle this is very hard to justify cost wise. I didnt leave the cap loose but I discovered a crack in it hence the evaporation.

Is there an option anyone knows that would allow me to use the bottle I have. paint thinner?

Also i have been applying the tempilaq just behind the shoulder when it melts I remove the heat. Now I have to removed the tempilaq. How do YOU do it?

 

[RonAKA]

The "laq" would suggest it may be a lacquer. So you may want to try a lacquer thinner. I find acetone dissolves most stuff, so it would be a second choice.

I don't really think using a tempilstic or tempilaq are practical to use on every case. They are useful as a training tool. What I have found is that if I work in a nearly dark room, I need to heat the neck and at least part of the shoulder up to a really dull red glow, and that is a more useful indicator that you have reached the required 800 F temperature.

If you get a reading light and control it with one of those Christmas tree extension cord foot operated switches you can set up with the light on, turn it off, anneal, then turn it back on, while having your hands free to control the torch and handle the brass.

 

[TnTom]

thanks Ron, I may try the dark room approach again but in the past it left me feeling like I was guessing when the right color of red had been reached so I tried the Temilaq. It gave me the feeling that my results were more consistent. Sort of. I did sense that the seating pressures were more uniform though using the dark room method should be just as predictable. I;ll take another shot at it. thanks again.

 

[jonbearman]

They may have a special thinner that you cant buy at the store.If you use the wrong thinner being added to the bottle may and likely ruin the contents of the bottle.