Head Cement Thinner

[MUSKY]

Need help with thinning Hard as Hull Head Cement. Anybody know what I can use for a thinner? TIA.

[bassrecord]

We've tried this before. We tried finger polish remover, but most have oil and they did not work. Someone called Sally and they did not know. Solvent based head finishes are getting harder to find. Let us know if you find a good thinner.

John

[Bassman82]

I've used methyl ethyl keytone to thin out household goop to use as a flexible head cement, especially on pike and bass flies. It also works on thickened uni-lak and u would imagine it should work on any lacquer based cement. Only tricky thing is finding a supply. I was given a very small quantity from someone who worked in a chem. analysts lab. Must also note that stuff is pretty nasty and should be handled with extreme care.

Sean

[toadfrog]

I've used methyl ethyl keytone to thin out household goop to use as a flexible head cement, especially on pike and bass flies. It also works on thickened uni-lak and u would imagine it should work on any lacquer based cement. Only tricky thing is finding a supply. I was given a very small quantity from someone who worked in a chem. analysts lab. Must also note that stuff is pretty nasty and should be handled with extreme care.

Sean

Try acetone found anywhere paint is sold. They put oil in the polish remover to help keep it from drying out the ladies nails . lighter fluid is namptha. I've used it in some things both are highly flammable . acetone works in vynil paints. If the cement has a contents list check that google what you might think is the thinner part.of the mix.

[BLT]

Head cement? I just use a double coat of minwax polyurethane. One bottle has it thinned out with a little water to soak through, after that dries, hit it with some full strength. Never had any issues and saved a lot of money.

(This is for jigs and saltwater teasers)

Edited November 12, 2010 by BLT

[Peterjay]

I use both Hard as Hull and good old Sally Hansen Hard as Nails With Nylon, and I can't see an ounce of practical difference between the two. I like them both a lot. I leave the cap off a bottle of Sally Hansen for a while to let it thicken a bit and use it like epoxy for saltwater heads. If it'll stand up to salt water, it'll stand up to anything. I give the heads a nice thick coat and put the flies on a drying wheel until the cement sets. Regular head cement thinner works OK on the Sally Hansen, but I go through it so fast that it really isn't an issue. The advantage to the Sally Hansen is that you can buy it anywhere.