Recently, I have been hearing a lot about primers and cements, due to the new VOC restrictions in places like California.
Well, just recently, I have had a lot of interest in whether or not cleaner was a substitute for a primer. Well, not exactly a substitute, but a reasonable replacement.
Well, just for the record, the "Handy-Packs" sold by Oatey, of the LO-VOC variety, which sell in my area, do not include cement and purple primer anymore. They contain LO-VOC cement and cleaner.
So, naturally, I was interested in what type of pipe this was used to join, and it is to join water lines, as well as DWV, etc...
So, not that it really means anything at all for the purposes of this discussion, I inquired, to two sources, whether it would be theoretically safe to use cleaner in lieu of primer. One source was my local hardware store owner. I know these guys don't get a lot of credit around here, but he told me that mostly everybody who came through his store used the cleaner and cement, and told me that it was much more important to have a clean joint than anything else you could do. Kind of odd to ask this of a man I have bought tons of PVC fittings from before, but whatever.
Second source was my brother, a licensed plumber here in Louisiana. He, of course, said that it was necessary to use a listed purple primer on all joints.
So, I figure it's good to include a list of all respected members who have used cleaner instead of primer for their projects. Not that it means anything, again, but for the hell of it.
~ KlugeBoy
~SMOMW
~starman
I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones I have seen to use it.
Now, all of this really doesn't prove anything, but I'm willing to start the debate again. Also, I might decide to call or email a few of the chem companies about this issue tomorrow during business hours, but I really doubt I'll get a good response.
What do you guys think? I know this topic has been beaten to death, but try to be civil.
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DISCLAIMER: I do not suggest using cleaner as a substitute for primer, especially for pneumatic applications. This is just a "theoretical, maybe this will work" thread. As an analogy, you wouldn't go out pressurize a piece of 1/2" SCH-40 PVC to 600 PSI of air because, theoretically, it should hold. Discussion ONLY.