![]() We use the recommended reducer for finish work, but MEK seems to work just as well. MEK is handy when working with polyester resin and gelcoat, both as reducer and for clean-up. ![]() Perhaps you have it on board as stove fuel, but it is no substitute for more effective petroleum solvents. It is a poor degreaser, but effective on some inks. As a solution in water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid, denatured alcohol is a great solar panel cleaner. We like the low health hazard rating, but it is very flammable and dries too fast to penetrate many materials, in addition to being the wrong solvent group (aldyhyde) for many adhesives and gums (most respond better to aromatic hydrocarbons).ĭenatured Alcohol. ![]() Acetone is very fast drying and useful for general surface prep, but in our opinion, is over-prescribed. Most likely, several brands buy from the same chemical manufacturers.Īcetone. Name brands matter little here because the solvents should be the same, without measurable difference in quality. When in doubt check the labeling (safety data sheet), or contact the manufacturer. The key is to be aware of their hazards and incompatibilities. Many solvents do the same thing, so you only need a few to meet most repair and maintenance needs. That said, you can always read the MSD and spec sheets there is often a cheaper alternative for cleanup. Finally, reducing solvents (used to thin coatings) are carefully formulated to modify flow and while maintaining drying time and gloss if the end result is important, perhaps it is best to pay the extra dollars. Because they share properties with water (very polar) and petroleum (organic portions) they can bind the two together. Other common cosolvents include acetone, MEK, denatured alcohol, and glycol ethers (not starting fluid, which is diethyl ether), or things like cellosolve and its relatives. Consider soap and water the soap acts as an emulsifying agent, allowing oil to appear to dissolve into the water. In some cases the resulting properties are the average of what you might expect from the substances applied separately mix xylene and mineral spirits and the blend will dry a little slower and cut a little faster. But move the job inside the cabin, particularly in cold weather when ventilation is reduced and a space heater is in use, and mechanical methods-scraper, heat gun, or maybe a wire wheel or eraser-may be both safer and more effective. Wear the appropriate respirator ( Best Respirators for the Boat Yard, PS September 2017) and gloves, and you are safe. Working in the open with the wind at your back, toxicity may be a minor concern. Additionally, a solvent that evaporates like lightning-such as acetone-puts large amounts of vapor in the air, increasing flammability. Sometimes the best solvent is not the fastest drying, but rather that one that lingers long enough to penetrate. ![]() But it doesn’t do anything for oil or tar unless boosted with surfactants, heat, and agitation.ĭrying Time. Remember the water dissolving salt example? It works because water is highly polar, making it a good solvent for ionic substances like salt, most acids and bases, and even alcohols, sugars (like a poly-alcohol), aldehydes, and ketones (acetone). This is a little tricky unless you are a chemist at heart. The tricky bit is that compatibility often depends on how long, how high a concentration, and the exact formulation of the underlying surface or the solvent blend you are considering. If the solvent will damage the underlying material, thats generally a non-starter for cleaning uses, the sole exception being surface preparation.
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