TKS Fluid $135/5 gal including shipping

[ilovecornfields]

Is this a good deal or a bad one? Prices seem to have gone up this year. Maybe it’s all sitting on a container ship outside Long Beach waiting to be unloaded.

https://www.tksfluid.com/shop/accuchem-tks-406b-fluid/

If anyone has a better source, I’d be interested. I emailed them last year and told them I found an old Mooneyspace thread where they were offering it for $80 and they replied “not anymore.”

[carusoam]

Let’s invite @aviatoreb…

He is familiar with TKS fluid and numbers….   

And has plenty of experience with both.

Best regards,

-a-

[philip_g]

We bought it by the 55g drum. It's been a couple years but it was something like $650 delivered

Edited November 4, 2021 by philip_g

[aviatoreb]

I don't use a lot of tks fluid - see some of my philosophy of ice flying statements elsewhere, whether fiki or not - noting I have an inadvertent system not factoring significantly into my statement.  So the way I use tks is mostly to prime the system every 2 or 3 weeks in the winter or every time I might enter a cold cloud (that is not forecast for ice), I will prime it on the ground so it is ready just in case, and of course while in the cloud, and this usually means when say flying through a thin low layer (like 1 or 2k base) that may be just a few k thick to get to sunshine on top.  All that said, I don't use a lot maybe 5-8 gallons a winter or maybe 5-10 gallons a year (priming say every month in the summer too keep the system in working order).

So this effects how much I buy. I don't want 30 gallon drums or 55 gallon drums where it starts to pay to buy in bulk.

2.5 and 5 gallons jugs can actually be more expensive than 1 gallon jugs, total cost delivered, because they fall into a different shipping category.  Plus all things being equal and the small amounts I use, I do prefer the 1 gallon jugs as they are physically easier to handle.

I notice at the site you referenced, https://www.tksfluid.com that today 5 gallon jugs are $135 price delivered.  Many other places list substantially lower prices but not incl delivery, so as soon as you start an order then they add in delivery the price jumps significantly to something probably somewhat greater than $135.

BUT - I use amazon prime for general reasons  because it includes "free" shipping on many things, so I already have it and they have an amazon delivery price for tks.  Here is one that is 4 gallons (4 one gallon jugs) including the delivered price, $87.  This seems the cheapest way for smaller orders, until you start thinking about big 30 gallon barrels.  I bought a double order just last month - 8 one gallon jugs.

https://www.amazon.com/Davies-TKS-Fluid-Case-Gal/dp/B083N6DJM6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2Z80FPWEADUCQ&keywords=tks&qid=1636029691&qsid=143-6568331-4722857&sprefix=tks%2Caps%2C285&sr=8-2&sres=B083N6DJM6%2CB018GF83CC%2CB07P768YKT%2CB08MQ8FF23%2CB08MQFH3DW%2CB08MQ9Q7CL%2CB087PQR2TN%2CB088TKC2V4%2CB08KP23H5C%2CB07CVT8VKC%2CB09FKF3P4Y%2CB07JD2GDKN%2CB0711R2TNB%2CB085HGKHNC%2CB077T2DCQN%2CB083LH1WVS%2CB00Z7TR4VC%2CB009325VH8%2CB008CFH4J0%2CB008CFH7IS&srpt=DRINKING_CUP

they also sell a 6 gallon lot for $143 which you see is more expensive.  The pricing generally of this stuff makes no sense in terms of bigger is not always cheaper.

[StevenL757]

9 hours ago, ilovecornfields said:

Is this a good deal or a bad one? Prices seem to have gone up this year. Maybe it’s all sitting on a container ship outside Long Beach waiting to be unloaded.

https://www.tksfluid.com/shop/accuchem-tks-406b-fluid/

If anyone has a better source, I’d be interested. I emailed them last year and told them I found an old Mooneyspace thread where they were offering it for $80 and they replied “not anymore.”

I've ordered several times from AccuChem...very good folks to work with, and pricing has been on-par or better than other sources.  As with many things that can be purchased in bulk, the best pricing is usually obtained by your willingness to order a larger quantity (go Costco!  :-)).  So, to your question, yes, this deal is about as good as you'll get.  There is usually room with AccuChem for a bit of negotiation as well...as I've experienced with multiple orders, including at least two (2) 55-gal drum orders over the last ~5 years.  Sometimes they'll either waive, or at least heavily-discount the shipping.  I'd call them in any case to get the latest pricing and what they're willing to commit to.

[ilovecornfields]

2 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

I don't use a lot of tks fluid - see some of my philosophy of ice flying statements elsewhere, whether fiki or not - noting I have an inadvertent system not factoring significantly into my statement.  So the way I use tks is mostly to prime the system every 2 or 3 weeks in the winter or every time I might enter a cold cloud (that is not forecast for ice), I will prime it on the ground so it is ready just in case, and of course while in the cloud, and this usually means when say flying through a thin low layer (like 1 or 2k base) that may be just a few k thick to get to sunshine on top.  All that said, I don't use a lot maybe 5-8 gallons a winter or maybe 5-10 gallons a year (priming say every month in the summer too keep the system in working order).

So this effects how much I buy. I don't want 30 gallon drums or 55 gallon drums where it starts to pay to buy in bulk.

2.5 and 5 gallons jugs can actually be more expensive than 1 gallon jugs, total cost delivered, because they fall into a different shipping category.  Plus all things being equal and the small amounts I use, I do prefer the 1 gallon jugs as they are physically easier to handle.

I notice at the site you referenced, https://www.tksfluid.com that today 5 gallon jugs are $135 price delivered.  Many other places list substantially lower prices but not incl delivery, so as soon as you start an order then they add in delivery the price jumps significantly to something probably somewhat greater than $135.

BUT - I use amazon prime for general reasons  because it includes "free" shipping on many things, so I already have it and they have an amazon delivery price for tks.  Here is one that is 4 gallons (4 one gallon jugs) including the delivered price, $87.  This seems the cheapest way for smaller orders, until you start thinking about big 30 gallon barrels.  I bought a double order just last month - 8 one gallon jugs.

https://www.amazon.com/Davies-TKS-Fluid-Case-Gal/dp/B083N6DJM6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2Z80FPWEADUCQ&keywords=tks&qid=1636029691&qsid=143-6568331-4722857&sprefix=tks%2Caps%2C285&sr=8-2&sres=B083N6DJM6%2CB018GF83CC%2CB07P768YKT%2CB08MQ8FF23%2CB08MQFH3DW%2CB08MQ9Q7CL%2CB087PQR2TN%2CB088TKC2V4%2CB08KP23H5C%2CB07CVT8VKC%2CB09FKF3P4Y%2CB07JD2GDKN%2CB0711R2TNB%2CB085HGKHNC%2CB077T2DCQN%2CB083LH1WVS%2CB00Z7TR4VC%2CB009325VH8%2CB008CFH4J0%2CB008CFH7IS&srpt=DRINKING_CUP

they also sell a 6 gallon lot for $143 which you see is more expensive.  The pricing generally of this stuff makes no sense in terms of bigger is not always cheaper.

Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[WaynePierce]

If you look in to the Amazon deal, be sure to sign up for the "smile" account so part of your money goes to the Mooney Summit.

 

[exM20K]

8 hours ago, StevenL757 said:

I've ordered several times from AccuChem...very good folks to work with, and pricing has been on-par or better than other sources.  As with many things that can be purchased in bulk, the best pricing is usually obtained by your willingness to order a larger quantity (go Costco!  :-)).  So, to your question, yes, this deal is about as good as you'll get.  There is usually room with AccuChem for a bit of negotiation as well...as I've experienced with multiple orders, including at least two (2) 55-gal drum orders over the last ~5 years.  Sometimes they'll either waive, or at least heavily-discount the shipping.  I'd call them in any case to get the latest pricing and what they're willing to commit to.

I do as well.  With shipping, the 30 gallon drum is approx $16 per gallon delivered.

proximity of a vendor’s warehouse to your location will determine shipping

-dan

Edited November 4, 2021 by exM20K

[philip_g]

29 minutes ago, exM20K said:

I do as well.  With shipping, the 30 gallon drum is approx $16 per gallon delivered.

proximity of a vendor’s warehouse to your location will determine shipping

-dan

Valid point. Proximity is the most important factor.

 

You may not use it often but it still needs to be purged regularly. That takes fluid. I think a drum is good for 2 years usually. Worst case sell it by the gallon to other pilots

[carusoam]

Great memory Wayne! (Smile.Amazon….)

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=tks+fluid&crid=NU0K8KSDJFY4&sprefix=tks+fluid%2Caps%2C122&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9
 

Is all TKS fluid the same?

Different chemical companies seem/appear to be selling the same thing… Davies has a different price… $22/gal

Best regards,

-a-

[exM20K]

15 hours ago, carusoam said:

Great memory Wayne! (Smile.Amazon….)

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=tks+fluid&crid=NU0K8KSDJFY4&sprefix=tks+fluid%2Caps%2C122&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9
 

Is all TKS fluid the same?

Different chemical companies seem/appear to be selling the same thing… Davies has a different price… $22/gal

Best regards,

-a-

yes, TKS fluid is all the same.  Shipping is a really ig part of the cost.  I don't recall exactly, but I believe that's why nobody sells the 2.5 gallon tubs anymore - big enough to require HAZMAT handling, whereas the one gallon bottles don't.  Pity, I really liked the 2.5G tubs.

-dan

[larryb]

Three years ago I ordered a 30 gallon drum from AccuChem and had it delivered right to the hangar. Then I ordered a bunch of 2.5 gallon jugs from Uline and filled them from the drum. It was only $104 to ship the drum back then, $124 today.

[GeeBee]

Be careful how much you buy. It does have an expiration date.

[LANCECASPER]

6 hours ago, exM20K said:

yes, TKS fluid is all the same.  Shipping is a really ig part of the cost.  I don't recall exactly, but I believe that's why nobody sells the 2.5 gallon tubs anymore - big enough to require HAZMAT handling, whereas the one gallon bottles don't.  Pity, I really liked the 2.5G tubs.

-dan

Aircraft Spruce still sells the 2.5 gallons. Surprisingly two 2.5 gallon containers is $25 less with shipping than one 5 gallon container with shipping, at least to my zip code.

[exM20K]

I remember now where I saw this: DW Davies, from whom I've bought drums before.

https://store.dwdavies.com/content/tks-fluid

THE 5 GALLON PAIL AND THE 2X2.5 GAL CASE PRICE INCLUDE A MANDATORY $39.00 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SHIPPING CHARGE.

 

Edited November 6, 2021 by exM20K

[philip_g]

4 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Aircraft Spruce still sells the 2.5 gallons. Surprisingly two 2.5 gallon containers is $25 less with shipping than one 5 gallon container with shipping, at least to my zip code.

Again it's been awhile but something about the 2.5g used to require a hazmat fee while the 1g didn't 

[LANCECASPER]

7 hours ago, philip_g said:

Again it's been awhile but something about the 2.5g used to require a hazmat fee while the 1g didn't 

Based on the shipping charges below I think the 5 gal. does require the hazmat fee but the 2.5 or 1 gal. don't. However the price per gallon goes way up on the one gallon, so the 2.5 seems to be the sweet spot on smaller quantities, since it's $25 less in total to buy two 2.5's rather than one 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[milotron]

Funny, I do this analysis every year when I get the winter supply of fluid. In Canada this is so much worse.

 

Best value for $/gal for me from Spruce ( shipping to West coast ) was two 5 gallon jugs. With shipping it ends up as $58 CAD or $46 USD per gallon.

And they also have no stock and is back ordered...

[philiplane]

I buy the 2.5 gallon jugs for $57 at Airparts in Fort Lauderdale. They're across the street from my hangar, so shipping is just a 1/4 mile golf cart ride. 

You really don't want to buy in bulk if you can't use it within a year, or two at most. The alcohol evaporates, and the fluid becomes a gel.

I've also bought a lot from Aviation Laboratories. As far as I know, there is no hazmat fee for ground shipments. It's just costly to ship because it's heavy, but some vendors have better shipping deals than others.

http://www.avlab.com/TKS_Deicer_2_5CS_p/avl-tks2.5-cs.htm

Edited November 6, 2021 by philiplane