JHCC Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I've just ordered some Metrikote to wash the inside of my gasser, and I had a question about application. There are a couple of little cracks in the Cast-O-Lite (at the junctions between the separately cast sections) that seem to be catching the swirl from the ribbon burner. Does the Metrikote have any significant gap-filling properties? Should I coat the cracks first to build up a little thickness and then do a wash over the entire interior? Or am I just overthinking (again)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I've filled cracks in Kastolite with Matrikote. I don't think it will do anything structurally at all, but it can plug small gaps. However, if the Matrikote is too thick it will tend to crack with heat cycles anyway. As a side note, it does seem to be a bit more flux resistant than Kastolite, so if you're going to be welding there will be a benefit to covering any place that flux can reach the Kastolite layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 One of the two things refractory cement (which is cheap and easy to buy) is actually good for is filling cracks in refractory and firebricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Does Metrikote stick to refractory cement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 No clue on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 My guess is that it will, and if I remember, I'll mix up a little and check it tonight. I cemented my IFB test NARB burner block into the plenum, so I can check it there. I can't think of any good reason it wouldn't stick similarly to how it sticks to Kastolite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Are we talking the stuff that comes dry in a tub that you mix yourself, or the stuff that comes in a tube (like caulk)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Most refractory cement offered on the Web comes in plastic pails, ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 The stuff I used is as Mikey describes. It didn't work as well as I'd hoped for cementing IFB's together for a project I was working on, but it seemed to do quite well cementing an IFB chunk into a steel plenum. I may not have been using enough between the bricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 There are many different refractory cements on the market; which was yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 I just got a mini-tub of Meeco's from my local hardware store, which has the advantage -- unlike the big-box retailers -- of actually carrying pretty much everything all year round. I'll let folks know how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Meeco's was the brand I used. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to coat it last night. I forgot one of the kids had a school function. Maybe tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 Well, I went to fill those cracks, and a couple of little chunks of Kastolite flaked off and crumbled. I’ve stuck everything back together with the Meeco’s and crossed my fingers. The Metrikote is expected in a couple of days. I’ll fire things up before I put it on, to see if the Meeco’s holds up to forging temperatures (it’s rated to 2000F). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzkill Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Looks like you may have gotten the Furnace Cement and Fireplace Mortar version. I got the Refractory Cement which claims to be good up to 3000 degrees F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 Well, if it doesn’t hold up, we can tear it down to the wall and start over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 10, 2019 Author Share Posted April 10, 2019 Quick test fire. Looks okay; we’ll see how it does at full heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 4/8/2019 at 12:58 PM, Buzzkill said: It didn't work as well as I'd hoped for cementing IFB's together Did you butter your IFBs first? That's just a thought, I'm following this one I have to experience so no real opinion. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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