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Replies to questions when purchasing solvents

DetritusTheEgo

DetritusTheEgo

Established member
I think it probably wise to take a few minutes to construct a hypothetical backstory and understand legitimate uses for the solvents you intend to purchase prior to going and purchasing them. If the person checking you out makes small talk and asks you what you need that for, what happens then? Do you have a reply ready to fire off that sounds convincing? Or will you be caught off guard, stutter, avert your eyes, and act suspicious?

Inline with this I've been looking into ethyl acetate, or MEK Substitute in some places. A reply I had in mind for ethyl acetate was that I do a lot of models ( trains, airplanes, boats, cars, etc ), 3D printing, and that I am into RC airplanes. Ethyl acetate is a good substitute for model glue at a cheaper price per volume as it melts the plastics used in models together, melts common plastics in 3D printing together ( such as ABS ), and also is used to melt styrene together for RC airplanes.

What are some legitimate uses for ethyl acetate solvent that are outside of this hobby and my reply above? I'm not sure what kinds of specialty stains it is used with nor what kind of cleaning applications it can be used for though I know both of those are common applications.

If anyone would like to call out another solvent and their reply if asked please do so.
 
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For naphtha, I say I have an uncle who just bought a bunch of used furniture he wants to stip.

For lye, my uncle wants to unclog the sink and refuses to use anything else (have actually said that), or i have an aunt that makes soap.

At the same time, I find invasive and unprofessional for someone to ask such a question, so you could also answer that it's none of their business 😆

One love
 
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This is why purchasing online is great! Less stuttering with keyboard sentences. But yeah at the end of the day if it’s an over the counter chemical you are under no obligation to explain yourself. Keeping that in the back of your mind may help relieve any nerves.
 
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If you're going to describe a mildly obscure, yet still fairly popular hobby like RC model building, you had better know what you're talking about, just in case the person behind the counter happens to be a nerd in that exact subject.

In that sense, the less said the better - or replying to the question with a complete non sequitur, such as "what brand of toilet paper would you recommend?" or "actually, I'm in a bit of a hurry - I've got two hookers waiting for me in the back of the car!" might provide a bit more fun.

When getting cans of solvent, I generally buy it alongside some other stuff I need, such as tools, bolts and mortar cement. Once one has a bit of grey in the beard and a pair of work trousers/pants, these questions should stop happening anyhow.
 
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shroombee said:
“I’m trying to strip some sealer off the tiles around my fireplace. The tile installer used a glossy sealer and it looks cheesy. I’ve tried alcohol and acetone already, but they don’t work. A contractor friend told me to try ethyl acetate."
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I was mostly thinking of application of stains but not stripping anything. I like the simplicity of that reply and when phrased like suggested, it does not imply familiarity or in depth knowledge of the topic either. That bypasses the issue that Transform mentioned of the person being knowledgeable in an obscure hobby.

acacian said:
This is why purchasing online is great! Less stuttering with keyboard sentences. But yeah at the end of the day if it’s an over the counter chemical you are under no obligation to explain yourself. Keeping that in the back of your mind may help relieve any nerves.
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Purchasing online does seem like a viable option for some. I am weary about making purchases that start to identify a hobby of potential illegality though. I'd prefer to pay in cash in a local store while purchasing other related items when possible. Algorithms are pretty good at identifying related purchases now a days which could theoretically be used against you.

Many localities are starting to pass legislation that restricts stores from stocking and selling certain solvents to the general public as well. I think purchasing online in that scenario would place the purchaser in a "know your local laws and abide by them" kind of scenario and open the individual up to potential issues even if the company will ship without question. If someone happens to be in that situation, driving hours to an adjacent state may be the best choice. The person checking your ID may simply ask you why your in town or if you moved here recently because they are used to seeing a completely different ID all day.

I do also fully agree that the person asking such a question is intrusive, unprofessional, and has no obligation a reply, but hey, some people are just chatty and with good intention. Some businesses may have policies to scrutinize certain purchases. Having a couple of sentences at the ready in the off chance it comes up, I don't see any downside really. I suppose chess has ruined me in this regard... :ROFLMAO:

Thanks for all the perspectives. 🙏
 
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That sounds frustrating. Its a little different in Australia.. to raise suspicion you need to order something that is "watched" or be buying foolish combinations of stuff. Always best to buy stuff from different companies.

Here, DCM is not a watched solvent. Something like heptane or hexane is.. they require the signing of an end user declaration. When you sign that and go ahead with the purchase, you are potentially inviting police to your door to check that your not up to mischief. As far as I'm concerned, if I am not signing an end user declaration then what I'm ordering is not being flagged and is not of interest. If ordering glassware, I check the list of apparatus for my state that is flagged. That said, to play it safe I sometimes pay my friend to order a can of solvent for me so that there is no connection with me. He has nothing to do with DMT or other drugs and is more than happy to help.

I guess it depends on your situation.. and what your ordering. I have zero interest in producing commercial quantities of anything and approach extractions from a research perspective.

Buy your lye from a baking company.. that is not a suss looking purchase in your receipts. It looks much more suspect purchased as drain cleaner from a hardware store, especially in the same purchase as naptha.

But yes, of course having a good sentence you can rattle of while smiling is also great and in many cases is more than enough.
 
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I was recently buying 2kg of sodium hydroxide in a hardware store and the employee got suspicious. As I was explaining that i want to try making soap, a lad I used to work kitchens with appeared behind her and had to stifle a laugh. He didn't know the specifics but he knew damn well I wasn't making soap. I think the new girl was so surprised at my answer and curious about why I'd be making soap that it threw her off her line of questioning.

Most of my local hardware stores and bulders' merchants have friendly staff who know me well enough to not ask too many questions but not well enough to know specifically what I get up to. Occasionally like above, I have to deal with someone new but mostly its pretty smooth sailing.

It never hurts to have a lie ready but usually i don't need one. Last time I went to the builders' merchant I acquired 4L white spirit, goggles, disposable gloves, respirators, razorblades, fungicide and a mop. The only question I got asked was "cash, card or account mate?"
 
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Lye for unclogging sinks, of course. Also, lighter fluid is Naptha. Naptha is getting harder to get and I had to call ahead and drive for it last time. The guy I talked to on the phone was the same guy ringing me out and I chattily told him how it was an uber cheap way to fill your Zippo. His reaction was actually kinda interested.
 
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