Hi-Tek Solution - How Long is It Good?

[Taterhead]

After mixing powdered Hi-Tek in acetone, how long is the solution useful? Assume a well sealed bottle and storage in cool to cold (winter) garage temps. I would assume several weeks?

[slide]

I used hi-tek for a long time. I think shelf life will vary depending on where you are and your climate. Several weeks anyway. If you don't coat a lot of bullets at one time you could cut it in half. 50 mils to 10 grams.

[ryanmattes]

I mixed some this summer, when I first started using Hi-Tek, and I used it again a couple weeks ago. It settles out, so you just need to shake it to mix it back up. As long as your bottle is fairly well-sealed, so the acetone doesn't evaporate away, it should be fine. If you notice the level dropping, add some acetone.

I cut the recipe in half, because I'm not casting enough to use it all. At ~1ml/lb the standard recipe will do over 50 lbs of double-coated cast. I'm usually doing more like 20lbs at a time, which is still 2 uses from a single batch, with some left over.

I fumbled around a bit at first, trying to find the right kitchenware do do this, but I finally just went and bought a tie-dye kit from Walmart. I tossed everything but the squirt bottles. They're about 80ml bottles with a snap on cap that holds a good seal. I mix up a half batch with a few ml more acetone than the recipe calls for to thin it, put it in the bottle, and just put it on the shelf in the garage. In the months I've been using it, it doesn't seem to have a shelf life.

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[Coopaloop86]

I've kept it on my shelf for 2-3 months and it was fine. Ive also noticed that if acetone evaporates off, you can just refresh it with a splash of acetone. Works just fine for me.

[Coopaloop86]

I started a couple years ago with an empty 20oz coke bottle lol. Worked just fine until I could get around to buying a proper container.

[slide]

When I was hi-teking I got bottles from Sally's beauty supply. They are made to hold chemicals and have a snap cap that seals good. I always put teflon tape around the threads on the lid.

[Taterhead]

Great! Thank you for the posts. I habe noticed mo appreciable drop in fluid level, so I'm going to give it a go.

[Burnt Fingers]

I keep mine in the fridge since it settle and turn solid in my experience.

I've used 2 year old solution with no problems.

[ryanmattes]

Since I was in there rearranging this evening, here's a pic of the bottles I use.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210201/0f47607516a5cf4bf16714bc44928ff4.jpg

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[Tazza]

If kept in the cool or fridge, it will last ages. Where i live, we never get real cool weather, i had some K15 that was a few months old, the polymer started to turn into a clump that would not dissolve in acetone. Joe said that is normal, and to try and only mix what you need or store what is unused in the fridge, not sure the wife would agree....

[Taterhead]

If kept in the cool or fridge, it will last ages. Where i live, we never get real cool weather, i had some K15 that was a few months old, the polymer started to turn into a clump that would not dissolve in acetone. Joe said that is normal, and to try and only mix what you need or store what is unused in the fridge, not sure the wife would agree....

"Honey, smell this. I think the stuff in the mustard bottle has turned!"

[Hossfly]

Be careful storing any thing with vapors in with food items, especially bread products. Bread will soak up anything that’s loose in the fridge.

[Tazza]

"Honey, smell this. I think the stuff in the mustard bottle has turned!"

The following day, i'll get divorce papers served to me :)

[Stephen Cohen]

Great! Thank you for the posts. I habe noticed mo appreciable drop in fluid level, so I'm going to give it a go.

If you use a see through container as I now do, put a mark at the fluid level and top with acetone if it gets low. I have used coating that was around a year old and all worked well but I did add a little acetone. regards Stephen

[Burnt Fingers]

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9Z21I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the bottles I use. The acetone doesn't leak out of those if the lid is tight.

[ioon44]

I use dish soap bottles with a snap on lid and spout, these keep the mix good for 6 months or more.

[Petander]

I've been Hi Teking for a few years now. I keep my mixed bottles in room temp, it won't go "bad" in a year unless I let acetone evaporate. Some 2 year old forgotten ones went "lumpy" but they really were dry. And they will dissolve again if you have the time.

https://i.postimg.cc/sDZxMxq5/IMG-20210203-224931.jpg

[kevin c]

I've had mixed HiTek clump up on me. It takes many weeks, and seems worse if the bottles are exposed to sunlight or the weather is warmer (Northern California), but happened even with half strength solutions, tightly capped and stored in my cool basement. A bullet in the bottle helped break up the big clump, but left lots of small ones that didn't dissolve.

Now I mix smaller batches that are enough for all the coating planned, dump what's left and rinse the bottles with clean acetone.

[Tazza]

I've had mixed HiTek clump up on me. It takes many weeks, and seems worse if the bottles are exposed to sunlight or the weather is warmer (Northern California), but happened even with half strength solutions, tightly capped and stored in my cool basement. A bullet in the bottle helped break up the big clump, but left lots of small ones that didn't dissolve.

Now I mix smaller batches that are enough for all the coating planned, dump what's left and rinse the bottles with clean acetone.

This happened to me too, i keep mine out of sunlight, but we do get hotter weather over here. I got a big clump of goo that refused to dissolve, even tried MEK but nope, didn't work. I also mix smaller batches to reduce the amount of wastage.

[Burnt Fingers]

I've had mixed HiTek clump up on me. It takes many weeks, and seems worse if the bottles are exposed to sunlight or the weather is warmer (Northern California), but happened even with half strength solutions, tightly capped and stored in my cool basement. A bullet in the bottle helped break up the big clump, but left lots of small ones that didn't dissolve.

Now I mix smaller batches that are enough for all the coating planned, dump what's left and rinse the bottles with clean acetone.


This happened to me too, i keep mine out of sunlight, but we do get hotter weather over here. I got a big clump of goo that refused to dissolve, even tried MEK but nope, didn't work. I also mix smaller batches to reduce the amount of wastage.

This problem is what lead me to keeping the mixed solution in the refrigerator.

[kevin c]

This problem is what lead me to keeping the mixed solution in the refrigerator.
Unfortunately, unless I buy another fridge, your solution for your solution is not going to be the solution for my solution. SWMBO has spoken...

Dunno for a fact, but maybe light or warmth over enough time can activate the catalyst just enough to cause clumping, not just the settling of the heavier suspended materials in the mix that aren't really dissolved, and that resuspend just fine with vigorous shaking.

[Burnt Fingers]

Unfortunately, unless I buy another fridge, your solution for your solution is not going to be the solution for my solution. SWMBO has spoken...

Dunno for a fact, but maybe light or warmth over enough time can activate the catalyst just enough to cause clumping, not just the settling of the heavier suspended materials in the mix that aren't really dissolved, and that resuspend just fine with vigorous shaking.

It's the heat. It gets a bit warm here in North Texas.

Thankfully we have a fridge in the garage. :)

[Mr. Woodchuck]

I keep mine in large ketchup/mustard type squeeze bottles. When I'm done with a particular color, I place it in a large ziploc bag, seal it up and store in the refrigerator. This slows the acetone evaporation somewhat.