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Author: Subject: What states still sell Toluene?
Acuyo
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 14:24
What states still sell Toluene?


I haven't seen this stuff in the US since about 06, mostly CA but I've looked in other states too.

It's very useful as a fuel burn-rate "modulator" (octane booster), which is why I'm so curious..
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anewsoul
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 14:34


Toluene is really hard to find now for whatever reason. Isn't the only reason its regulated is because stupid people sniffing it to get high or something?

Anyways, I got my toluene from a small family owned Ace hardware store that was still selling gallon containers of toluene for like $20. So maybe look for smaller hardware stores, maybe Ace? Although I've noticed other Ace hardware stores weren't selling it but its worth a shot.

Oh yeah this was Florida

[Edited on 21-3-2017 by anewsoul]
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JJay
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 14:39


Sherwin Williams sells it, but you have to give them your name, address, and intended purpose.

I just told the cashier it was for chemistry and had no problems. They also sell muriatic acid, denatured ethanol, pigments, acetone, and a variety of other things you might want.


[Edited on 21-3-2017 by JJay]




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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 14:46


In Tennessee, Lowes sells paint thinner/paint brush cleaner (Jasco brand) that contains Toluene.

Sadly, the product also contains methanol, ethanol, acetone, aminoethanol, DCM, 'potassium salts', and xylene along with some 'polymer goop' that can pass right through coffee filters...

If you really wanted to, you could use water washings to separate the DCM, xylene, and toluene from the rest of the composition.

Then, you'd have to likely use a fractional distillation to bypass any azeotropes...

Hopefully you have access to a fractioning column. If not, sorry that this isnt much of a viable source to you.

Edit: There are also petroleum distillates too which may pose a problem.

http://www.jasco-help.com/uploads/general/Jasco_Brush_Cleane...

The toluene content isn't also less than 36%...

[Edited on 3-21-2017 by A Halogenated Substance]




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macckone
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 20:12


There are laws concerning VOCs in the US.
VOCs are more restricted in major metro areas.
For example, in Denver DCM and Toluene containing
solvent solutions are restricted but if you go to
smaller stores in more rural areas you can get both.
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 20:28


Ace in Texas sells KleanStrip toluene by the gallon. I've tested it and it appears to be virtually thiophene free too, quite pure enough for most uses without any purification.



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macckone
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 21:12


Is that in austin proper or in the outskirts?
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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 22:11


I have not tested the Sherwin Williams toluene for thiophene, but it's on the long list of experiments I plan to do at some point. I would expect it probably contains some thiophene, but it might not. I have used less than 100 mL of my 1 gallon can so far.



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[*] posted on 21-3-2017 at 23:47


Toluene isn't hard to find in Pennsylvania. I got mine from an auto body shop near Erie. Granted, I had to ask for it specifically, then wait for the order to come in, but it was easier to do that than hop from one store to another checking the paint thinner aisles. But yeah, any hardware store that isn't Home Depot or Lowe's is probably a lot more likely to have it. Large-ish hardware stores and lumber yards in rural areas are ideal.
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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 00:34


No problem in Minnesota.
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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 10:42


Up until last year could still buy it in quart containers at Lowe's and Home Depot here in NC. Almost seemed like it was on shelf and next day gone. Should of bought a good supply but didn't because it seemed easy to get. By the way price was around $7.00 a quart.
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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 10:48


Ace hardware... only place in Virginia to get it.
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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 11:05


Quote: Originally posted by macckone  
Is that in austin proper or in the outskirts?
Outskirts, I haven't looked for it in Austin proper so I couldn't say for sure if they sell it there.



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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 11:25


Depending on when and where you last accessed Ace Hardware's site, they might not list it online, but I've still seen it at each one I've visited in Louisville, KY. I guess we're a reasonably metropolitan place.

[Edited on 3-22-2017 by Amos]
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Acuyo
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[*] posted on 22-3-2017 at 12:57


I've been told it's a preferred 'Inhalant' style intoxicant.

If that's the reason they stopped selling it -- what makes them think someone willing to inhale toluene for a high, wouldn't just move on to some other inhalant?

I don't understand what's so special about toluene, but then I don't inhale it either so wtfidk I need some damned toluene (for my boat, I truly swear; it gets to 110f here, often.)

[Edited on 23-3-2017 by Acuyo]
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metalresearcher
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[*] posted on 25-3-2017 at 04:04


Paint thinner (not turpentine) is almost pure toluene, but I don't know what purity you require.



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[*] posted on 25-3-2017 at 07:46


Quote: Originally posted by metalresearcher  
Paint thinner (not turpentine) is almost pure toluene, but I don't know what purity you require.

Paint thinner is always the deliberately-vague "petroleum distillates", and is usually similar in composition to kerosene. They can put virtually any inexpensive hydrocarbon in that stuff though.
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[*] posted on 26-3-2017 at 14:51


Toluene? Yeah. It's around. But, often not openly displayed on the shelves. Younglings tend to steal it.

Bought some in Portland, a few years ago. Signed for it.

It was kept in an "Employee Access Only" room, for security reasons.
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[*] posted on 30-3-2017 at 01:42


Quote: Originally posted by zts16  
Ace in Texas sells KleanStrip toluene by the gallon. I've tested it and it appears to be virtually thiophene free too, quite pure enough for most uses without any purification.


I distilled Kleen Strip toluene and found water the only impurity in any significant quantities. It's a low boiling azeotrope so easy to separate.




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[*] posted on 30-3-2017 at 06:44


I assumed it had something to do with using it as a precursor to TNT or maybe benzene -> benzaldehyde -> Phenyl-2-Nitropropene -> Amphetamine/Methamphetamine, though I'm not sure how common that route really is in the US. I kind of pulled that out of my ass, but what else could it be? That seems more likely than some huffing epidemic haha.
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[*] posted on 30-3-2017 at 07:00


Toluene is a DEA List 2 chemical, but it is sold by the gallon at Ace, as has already been said. In the unlikely scenario that you absolutely cannot find it, NurdRage made a video on obtaining it via fractional distillation of lacquer thinner. It is also available on Ebay if that helps.
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[*] posted on 5-4-2017 at 21:06


Around my area of Iowa and Wisconsin it can be found easily. Mom & Pop hardware stores and such still sell it by the gallon in almost any town. If you can't find it at a big box store, check some smaller shops. Otherwise as stated before, there's always Ebay and other online sources.
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[*] posted on 5-4-2017 at 21:57


Sadly, over here in California I have not been so fortunate :( I can't find toluene on the shelves here anywhere. I have been able to find an acceptable source, though-- a certain fuel additive sold here contains ~50% toluene and 50% water-partitioning ketones and alcohols. Washing out the junk with water, drying with a Dean Stark and fractionally distilling gives a fairly reasonable yield of clean toluene. I can't speak for the thiophene content, though.
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[*] posted on 5-4-2017 at 22:47


Luckily thiophenes can be removed rather easily. Vogel has a relatively simple process listed in Practical Organic Chemistry, using concentrated H2SO4.
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[*] posted on 4-5-2017 at 08:49


I know Ace Hardware carries it, and it's available by the gallon can up here in ME.



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