Brake Fluid Resistant Sealant for Girling Reservoirs

patrickt · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2011, 02:56 PM

There are a lot of threads on how the old black Girling brake and clutch reservoir repros from the old Austin Healeys BN1 cars (pic below) start to weep after a few years, so we'll skip over that -- if you have them, they'll begin to weep sooner or later. I was starting to get about a drop every week or so, and tightening up the fittings did no good. I really like the look of the old cans, as opposed to mechanically superior "new-fangled" stuff like the Kirkham cans. Finding a brake fluid resistant sealant that will go on over a weeping seal/fitting and work is no small chore. Seal-All does, and it stopped the drip. It's basically Methyl Ethyl Ketone and here's the technical data sheet http://eclecticproducts.com/_tds/sealall_tds.pdf So, if you need brake fluid resistant sealant, here it is.

Bill Bess · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 05:57 AM

I second that. Seal - All is the greatest stuff, it will stop any kind of leak, gas oil brake fluid..whatever.
Great stuff to carry in your tool box on road trips.

Bill

601HP · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 06:30 AM

That's good info. Where will I find it?

David

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 601HP

That's good info. Where will I find it?

David

It is surprisingly easy to find. It was actually much harder to find the identity of a brake fluid resistant sealant than it was to find it in a store. Lowe's has it, Autozone has it, Pep Boys has it... in fact, since I posted this thread, I've seen it just about everywhere. It has a kind of "As Seen on TV" type packaging that would make you think it was another Sham-Wow, Pocket Fisherman, or the like, but it's actually pretty powerful stuff. A word of caution, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is not something you want to be working with every day, or getting on your skin, or smelling, or letting the kids use to build a fort with popsicle sticks. It's kind of like the open gear grease that I recommended in this thread Valve cover gasket alternatives to cork Use it with caution, don't breathe it, and try not to get it on your skin.

BTW, that open gear grease that I reference is like magic for sealing valve covers against leaks but still allowing them to come off in a flash for setting the lash.

rodneym · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 10:35 AM

Patrick,
The MEK itself is not a sealant. It keeps the sealant viscous until it's applied and dried. Seal All could be filled with other solvents and have the same results. Once it's applied and dried, the MEK will have evaporated.
Like you said, be careful where you touch it. It will eat the oils off your skin very fast. Acetone is harmless compared to MEK.
Not that you didn't know that but your post sounded like, "Hey this is good stuff, it's MEK".

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

Patrick,
The MEK itself is not a sealant. It keeps the sealant viscous until it's applied and dried.

I understand -- I suppose they use it for a reason. Some folks take MEK very seriously. For instance, this thread: Use Of Mek As A Glue - The Fountain Pen Network

rodneym · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 10:59 AM

The Fountain Pen Network?
CHAS!!!!! Where are you!!!!!????

Looks like we've covered all ground here. From Cobras to fountain pens.

What has become of us? This lady gets a whiff of a solvent and she wants the EPA police to get involved. Like I've always said, fountain pens are VERY dangerous. Just watch any Three Stooges.

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

The Fountain Pen Network?
CHAS!!!!! Where are you!!!!!????

Uhhh, I was hesitant to post that -- around here that's barely one step above the "silk underwear forum."

ERA Chas · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

The Fountain Pen Network?
CHAS!!!!! Where are you!!!!!????

O yeah, that's a direct link from the Harry Potter Forum where our very own Niles Crane is a Moderator doncha kno?! Truly a man of depth and substance.
But remaining ON topic, I thought of a really good use for the Seal It product the OP presented here to save us all; wonder how it works on men of depth and substance...