Solvent Chemistries

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Solvents formulated to meet stringent clean-air regulations

Safety-Kleen’s acetone and lacquer thinner are formulated to clean paint spray equipment and parts for a variety of applications including industrial printing presses, paint guns and automotive paint and body shop equipment. Our acetone cleaning solvent is made of 100% VOC-exempted acetone. We work with federal, state and local clean-air regulations, to ensure that our products meet – or exceed – hazardous product regulations. For these reasons, our thinner is not available in CA, CO, CT, DE, IN, MD, NH, NJ, RI and UT and our high-demand acetone may take longer to deliver.

 Acetone is available in a 5-gallon pail, a 16-gallon drum and a 55-gallon drum

Thinner is available in a 5-gallon pail, 16-gallon drum and a 55-gallon drum

 As you browse our solvent chemistries, look for these features: 

  • Fast drying
  • High evaporation
  • Mild odor
  • VOC-exempted

 We also carry a variety of other solvents and chemistries, including:

  • Baked-on carbon remover
  • Multi-purpose cleaner
  • Immersion cleaner
  • High-pressure spray cleaner

Understanding solvent chemistries is crucial for optimizing reactions, ensuring safety, and minimizing environmental impact. When selecting a solvent, it is important to consider the following criteria:

  1. Polarity: Determines what kind of solutes a solvent can dissolve.
  2. Boiling Point: Affects how easily a solvent can be removed after a reaction.
  3. Reactivity: Some solvents are inert, while others can participate in chemical reactions.
  4. Cost and Availability: Practical considerations for industrial applications.

What are solvent chemistries?

Solvents are substances, usually liquids, that dissolve other substances (solutes) without chemically changing them. They are essential in various industrial, laboratory, and everyday applications – especially for cleaning and degreasing. Because there is a push toward using environmentally friendly solvents, such as water or CO2 to reduce environmental impact, we also offer aqueous solvents for a variety of applications that are volatile organic compound (VOC)-free. We work within all federal, state and local regulations to arrive at VOC-exempt formulas.

 What is acetone used for?

Acetone, CH3COCH3, is a widely used solvent in various applications due to its effectiveness in dissolving a range of substances. Understanding the properties and applications of acetone is crucial for its safe and effective use in various contexts.

It has many industrial uses, but for Safety-Kleen customers, the most common use is for cleaning and degreasing equipment, removing paint or varnish in the printing and automotive industries. Acetone is highly flammable and should be handled with care, away from open flames and sparks. Prolonged exposure can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and other health problems. Proper ventilation and protective gear are recommended. Acetone is biodegradable, but its release into the environment should be minimized to prevent potential harm to aquatic life.

 What is the best thinner? 

Thinner, often referred to as paint thinner, is a solvent used to dilute or clean up paints, varnishes, and other coatings. Understanding the proper use and handling of thinners is essential for ensuring safety and achieving the desired results in painting and cleaning applications.

 Thinner is commonly used for diluting paints and varnishes. Thinners are used to adjust the viscosity of paint to ensure it spreads evenly and smoothly. This is particularly important for spray painting and ensuring a consistent application. Thinners help in improving the flow and leveling properties of paints and varnishes, preventing brush marks and ensuring a smooth finish.

 After painting, thinners are used to clean brushes, rollers, spray guns and nozzles to prevent clogging and ensure they function properly. They can also be used to clean surfaces before painting, removing grease, oil, and other contaminants. Thinners are often used to degrease and clean machinery, tools, and metal parts in industrial and automotive settings.

 Many thinners are highly flammable and should be used with caution, away from open flames and sparks. Thinners can be toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Proper ventilation and protective gear such as gloves and masks are recommended. Thinners should be disposed of properly according to local regulations to prevent environmental contamination.

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