What Primer to Use with PVC/ABS Transition Cement?

Kengar · 09/04/2018, 06:13 PM

What primer/cleaner should I use when joining PVC pipe to ABS fitting? I have the transition cement but not finding info re what primer to use.

thanks

mcgyvr · 09/04/2018, 06:18 PM

If at all you just use clear cleaner with abs...primer should not be used..

Kengar · 09/04/2018, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

If at all you just use clear cleaner with abs...primer should not be used..

Like Mr. Clean?

Thanks.

mcgyvr · 09/04/2018, 06:24 PM

Well...that or something like oatley clear cleaner specifically intended for abs/pvc

lolgranny · 09/04/2018, 06:57 PM

Most plumbers never use primer lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kengar · 10/25/2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

If at all you just use clear cleaner with abs...primer should not be used..

Question (after the fact, of course......)

If I'm using Oatey transition cement, will it cause problems if I use (clear) primer on the PVC pipe, which dries fairly quickly, before I coat with the transition cement?

More important question: how secure is the ABS/PVC joint? I get the impression that it's not as "deep" of a bond as, say, PVC to PVC using PVC cement, more "surface-level." I'm going back and forth between using slip fitting (PVC pipe to ABS bulkhead) or threaded fitting (with Plasto-Joint Stick used liberally). This is to connect two tanks together in series (a 20 g to hold a pair of ClariSea filters, followed by the rest of the sump), and I worry about moving tanks around and doing anything to compromise the joint between pipe and bulkheads. (I will be using Flex PVC to provide some "cushion" to the assembly.) Unfortunately, I'm limited to schedule 40 ABS bulkheads here, and there's always the risk of over-tightening anything screwed into them and splitting them. On the other hand, I have my reservations about the PVC/ABS slip joint........

Any input on the matter? Thanks much!

mcgyvr · 10/26/2018, 04:42 AM

Its fine to use primer on the PVC pipe if you want.. Just not the ABS pipe..

I think you are overthinking yourself right into cold feet..
Glue the darn pipe already

The fact that you are using the transition cement puts you ahead of most who likely just use regular PVC cement with bulkheads..

Kengar · 10/26/2018, 08:44 AM

[QUOTE=mcgyvr;25513699]Its fine to use primer on the PVC pipe if you want.. Just not the ABS pipe..

I think you are overthinking yourself right into cold feet..
Glue the darn pipe already

QUOTE]

Spoke to Oatey this morning before seeing your reply. They, too, said okay to prime the PVC.

Re overthinking things, this has been the most engineering/trouble-shooting intensive, difficult/challenging build I've ever done (and I've done at least eight or nine over the last 20+ years.....). Starting with the royally F'ed up bracing as received from Coast to Coast that I had to remove and replace, to needing to shim the sh*t out of the stand to get uniform support under the tank, to leaky bulkheads all over the place, to putting my hand through the glass wall of one of the above-referenced 20 g tanks as I was trying to push a 2" pipe into a uniseal (used them many times, never with that much difficulty), I have had many, many moments where, but for the amount of time and $$$$$ invested so far, I would have taken a sledge hammer to the tank and walked away...... Seems like it's constantly two steps forward, one step back. Coming up on three years since I ordered the tank.....

mcgyvr · 10/26/2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kengar

Spoke to Oatey this morning before seeing your reply. They, too, said okay to prime the PVC.

Of course they did.. Its right in their instruction sheet for the transition cement..

I know.. I know.. What man reads stuff..

Kengar · 10/26/2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Of course they did.. Its right in their instruction sheet for the transition cement..

I know.. I know.. What man reads stuff..

I don't see it on the can or online..... And I DO read instructions in advance. Sort of comes with the patent attorney territory!

mcgyvr · 10/26/2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kengar

I don't see it on the can or online..... And I DO read instructions in advance. Sort of comes with the patent attorney territory!

https://www.oatey.com/2371985/Produc...n-Green-Cement
Click the instructions pdf.. See #4 on page 2

Kengar · 10/26/2018, 11:55 AM

much obliged!
the squared ends/chamfering recommendation is something where I go far astray.......
Even with brand new PVC cutter, the cut is never straight across. Mitre saw grabs and throws quite often; may need to get a new miter box and cut with a hacksaw.....

billdogg · 10/26/2018, 12:22 PM

Oh Dude.........

What mcgyvr has been saying all along.

Just glue it up already. None of our plumbing is anywhere near high pressure - in fact 99.9% of them are open channel so almost no pressure at all to the joints. Over the years I've used a hacksaw, miter saw, pvc cutter, bandsaw, table saw, heck - even an occasional broken end. No primer, rarely any cleaner, and always Oatey medium duty clear cement. Never had a leak.

Kengar · 10/26/2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

Oh Dude.........

What mcgyvr has been saying all along. Just glue it up already.

some of these joints will not be easily accessible/repairable once the system is set up. measure twice, cut once. in other words, do it right the first time.....

mcgyvr · 10/26/2018, 04:59 PM

Is it glued yet?..

Kengar · 10/31/2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Is it glued yet?..

Touche!

On the sumps, yes. On the overflow box (the one where I won't be able to access easily when the system is set up), as soon as the slip bulkheads to replace the threaded bulkheads arrive.....

09/04/2018, 06:13 PM	#1
Kengar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gaithersburg, MD (D.C. Metro Area) Posts: 1,970	What Primer to Use with PVC/ABS Transition Cement? What primer/cleaner should I use when joining PVC pipe to ABS fitting? I have the transition cement but not finding info re what primer to use. thanks __________________ Resident Patent Attorney

09/04/2018, 06:18 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	If at all you just use clear cleaner with abs...primer should not be used.. __________________ Who me?

09/04/2018, 06:57 PM	#5
lolgranny The DQ King Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago (McHenry) Posts: 2,414	Most plumbers never use primer lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ -Dave Current Tank Info: 40g RIP. 300g system, 180g display.

10/26/2018, 04:42 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its fine to use primer on the PVC pipe if you want.. Just not the ABS pipe.. I think you are overthinking yourself right into cold feet.. Glue the darn pipe already The fact that you are using the transition cement puts you ahead of most who likely just use regular PVC cement with bulkheads.. __________________ Who me?

10/26/2018, 08:44 AM	#8
Kengar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gaithersburg, MD (D.C. Metro Area) Posts: 1,970	[QUOTE=mcgyvr;25513699]Its fine to use primer on the PVC pipe if you want.. Just not the ABS pipe.. I think you are overthinking yourself right into cold feet.. Glue the darn pipe already QUOTE] Spoke to Oatey this morning before seeing your reply. They, too, said okay to prime the PVC. Re overthinking things, this has been the most engineering/trouble-shooting intensive, difficult/challenging build I've ever done (and I've done at least eight or nine over the last 20+ years.....). Starting with the royally F'ed up bracing as received from Coast to Coast that I had to remove and replace, to needing to shim the sh*t out of the stand to get uniform support under the tank, to leaky bulkheads all over the place, to putting my hand through the glass wall of one of the above-referenced 20 g tanks as I was trying to push a 2" pipe into a uniseal (used them many times, never with that much difficulty), I have had many, many moments where, but for the amount of time and $$$$$ invested so far, I would have taken a sledge hammer to the tank and walked away...... Seems like it's constantly two steps forward, one step back. Coming up on three years since I ordered the tank..... __________________ Resident Patent Attorney

09/04/2018, 06:24 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Well...that or something like oatley clear cleaner specifically intended for abs/pvc __________________ Who me?

10/26/2018, 11:55 AM	#12
Kengar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gaithersburg, MD (D.C. Metro Area) Posts: 1,970	much obliged! the squared ends/chamfering recommendation is something where I go far astray....... Even with brand new PVC cutter, the cut is never straight across. Mitre saw grabs and throws quite often; may need to get a new miter box and cut with a hacksaw..... __________________ Resident Patent Attorney

10/26/2018, 12:22 PM	#13
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Oh Dude......... What mcgyvr has been saying all along. Just glue it up already. None of our plumbing is anywhere near high pressure - in fact 99.9% of them are open channel so almost no pressure at all to the joints. Over the years I've used a hacksaw, miter saw, pvc cutter, bandsaw, table saw, heck - even an occasional broken end. No primer, rarely any cleaner, and always Oatey medium duty clear cement. Never had a leak. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer Last edited by billdogg; 10/26/2018 at 12:28 PM.

10/26/2018, 04:59 PM	#15
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Is it glued yet?.. __________________ Who me?