I've been using acetone for general cleanup of painting operations.  I was thinking of getting something stronger for some things that acetone doesn't get.

I looked at the containers at Home Depot.  The descriptions and istructions were almost the same, except that Acetone has a faster evaporation rate.

Back in my GM days, we used many gallons of xylene to flush out paint pipie systems when changing from one colour to another.  I've also heard on xylene as an addative to funny fuel in CL events with limited fuel capacity.

MEK, methyl ethyl ketone was the ingredient in "airplane glue" that gave it a bad name with the narcs.  You can't buy it the hobby shop, but it's still $14.95 a gallon at Home Depot.

Anyway, does anybody have any knowledge about the merits of all three as a paint, glue, and dope remover?

Thanks, I'll give the Xylene a try. 

It's all $15 a gallon +/- a buck at Home Depot.

The actone just wasn't "getting it done" on some cleanup jobs.  When I was working at Fisher Body, they used up Xylene at the rate of truckloads of 55-gallon drum.

I get lacquer thinner by the gallon at Wally World for around $8.  It is in the automotive paints section.  So far it has been outstanding for gun cleaning, and cleaning my brushes.  Can't remember the brand, but it is "Primer Grade" in a green can with some checkered flags on it.

I use acetone to clean CA applicators by putting them in an old Aero Gloss 4 oz. bottle with the lid tight.  Next day those tips are like new!

I don't use much MEK anymore, but still have a gallon around.