How to Use Bio-Solv Cleaning Solvent for Maximum Results
You will notice that Bio-Solv cleaning solvent works differently than acetone, IPA, MEK, MPK, mineral spirits, TCE (US EPA ruled carcinogen), PERC, methylene chloride, HCFCs and other petroleum based solvents. Understanding these differences and how to use our green cleaner will ensure you get the best results for your cleaning project.
- First and most importantly, Bio-Solv has a higher cleaning ability and evaporates more slowly than acetone. Therefore, use less Bio-Solv solution for your application than you would acetone. In a 30-hour evaporation test using a quart of Bio-Solv and acetone in open containers, the acetone completely evaporated while less than 4% of the Bio-Solv was lost to evaporation.
- You can extend the use of Bio-Solv by diluting it with water or by distilling it using inexpensive, polypropylene filters or solvent distillation equipment, such as Becca’s Solvent Distillation Recycling Equipment.
- Like acetone and other solvents, Bio-Solv produces an odor. Some describe it as pleasant and sweet while some say it’s strong. As with all solvents, use Bio-Solv with adequate ventilation.
- While Bio-Solv is non-toxic you should always protect your hands with latex or nitrile gloves just as you would with any solvent application.
Cleaning Tools with Bio-Solv Green Cleaner
Bio-Solv cleans extremely well and outperforms traditional solvents like methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solvent and acetone solvent. Use it for paint guns and tools that have been used to apply or exposed to polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, polyurethanes, paint, varnishes, or grease.
After dipping tools and gloved hands into Bio-Solv, the tools and gloves feel oily. They actually are not oily. Bio-Solv leaves no film when dry. This is simply an over-saturation of the cleaning solvent. Do not dunk your hands into the solution and use a drying rag or air hose to remove excess solvent.
An effective alternative is to use our patented Tool Cleaning Stations. These stations enable you to clean tools up to 7″ in length in clean Bio-Solv while the resins and sludge settle to the bottom of the tank.
The sludge that results from cleaning tools used with polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, polyurethanes, or grease will settle to the bottom of the pail or cleaning station. Just pour the clear liquid off the top and reuse it. You can pour the sludge into a bucket or tray, let it solidify, and dispose of it in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines. Paint will remain in suspension in Bio-Solv, so the solvent must be distilled for reuse.
Cleaning Surfaces with Bio-Solv Green Cleaner
Bio-Solv can be used to remove paint, ink, varnishes, uncured resin, epoxies, decals, tree sap, grease, gum residue, and Sharpie marks from a number of surfaces, including windows, fiberglass, polypropylene, metal, concrete, brick, and granite surfaces. Click here to see a full list of compatible surfaces.
Use Bio-Solv cleaning solvent sparingly. You will need much less of it than acetone solvent because our green cleaner lasts longer on cleaning cloths and surfaces, and it takes longer to evaporate. Just add a few drops of Bio-Solv to a dry, clean cloth and wipe the affected surface. Bio-Solv green cleaner will evaporate in less than a minute, leaving no residue. For rougher surfaces, such as brick, Bio-Solv can be applied using a spray bottle and worked into the substance using a stiff brush.