A solvent cleaner and thinner is a very handy item to have in your garage or shed. Solvent cleaners and thinners have a wide range of uses, and it’s amazing how handy they can come in for lots of everyday tasks around the home and workplace.
A solvent is a chemical compound that can be used to dissolve, soften, melt, or extract another compound. Solvents are divided into two main categories: organic and inorganic. Organic solvents contain carbon and are commonly used to lift stains, dry-clean fabrics, dissolve paint, and remove glue.
Inorganic solvents do not contain carbon and, except for water, are rarely used outside professional research facilities.
CRC ADOS Solvent N is a versatile general-purpose adhesive solvent cleaner used for cleaning equipment, brushes, rollers, and other items contaminated with neoprene adhesives. It is used for pre-wiping surfaces before applying adhesives and can soften dried flooring adhesives, making them easier to remove. If added to adhesives as a thinner, use sparingly to reduce viscosity and aid with flow characteristics.
CRC ADOS Solvent N is a great general-purpose solvent cleaner and thinner to have in the shed, but what are the practical applications of a solvent cleaner and thinner?
Here are four of the most common uses of solvent cleaners and thinners.
Surface preparation for contact
Preparing a surface for adhesive bonding is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a strong bond. Pre-treating the surfaces you are looking to bond is the best way to ensure you get a firm and efficient bond.
Solvent cleaner is a great way to clean a surface to ensure there is no dirt, debris, dust, grease, or oil on the surface. All these elements can prevent a surface from achieving a strong bond, so this part of the process is crucial.
Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned with a solvent cleaner, you might also want to consider using a bonding primer to help improve the effectiveness of the bond and give you a faster set time. As well as aiding the chemical reaction between the adhesive and the surface, a primer can also protect the surface from contamination post-treatment.
Adhesive glue remover
Whenever you are gluing something together, spills are inevitable. Whether it’s a spillage as you apply or some oozing once you have created the bond, cleaning up adhesive can be a pain. You can be left with unwanted residues that make a job look untidy; however, thankfully, a solvent cleaner and thinner is a great way to remove adhesive, glues, and epoxies from most surfaces.
A solvent cleaner can break down the properties of the adhesive, which will enable you to easily wipe away the residue. Different solvent cleaners have different properties, so make sure you look for one that is appropriate for the surface you are looking to remove the glue from.
A general-purpose adhesive solvent cleaner like CRC ADOS Solvent N is ideal for almost every job. It also comes in a handy spray can or traditional can, where it can be applied with a brush, making it an extremely versatile adhesive and glue remover.
If you are looking to remove the labels from old glass jars and bottles, CRC Peel Off is another great alternative for removing the sticky adhesive residue that is often left behind.
Brush and application equipment cleaner
Whether you love or loathe painting, there is no doubt that one of the worst jobs is the clean-up afterwards. Whether it’s a pause in the middle of the job or the last thing you need to do, no one enjoys the cleanup of paint and other substances from your brushes and other application equipment.
It is, however, one of the most important jobs, especially if you want your brushes and rollers to last. If you don’t clean them after a job, or you do a poor job of cleaning them, it is likely to make your job much harder the next time you need them. If paint dries on the brush fibres, the bristles may stiffen, and the brush may not last as long, or may need to be tossed out entirely.
Solvent cleaners and thinners are an ideal product to have around the house for these sorts of cleanup jobs. A solvent cleaner will help to break down the paint on the brushes and rollers, thinning it out and making it much easier to wash off.
Cleaning your brushes with a solvent is easy. Simply put enough solvent in a bowl or sink to completely submerge your brushes, give them a stir around for 30 seconds, and repeat until the paint has all washed away. Then rinse them under a tap, and they will be good to go the next time you need them.
Use as a thinner for neoprene contact adhesives
The final use of solvent cleaners and thinners is as a thinner for neoprene contact adhesives. By thinning out the neoprene contact adhesive, you can then use this as a primer coat, or thinning out the contact adhesive can also help with spraying if that is the method you are deploying.
When adding a solvent thinner to a neoprene contact adhesive, be careful not to add too much, as this can change the viscosity of the adhesive, which may in turn lead to a weaker bond. Make sure you stir the solvent thinner into the adhesive so it is thoroughly mixed in until you reach the desired viscosity. It’s easier to add more thinner in, but once you add too much, it can’t be taken out.
Looking for something milder? Check out CRC ADOS Solvent PS, it’s designed for cleaning down surfaces contaminated with dried adhesives. It coagulates the dried adhesive for easier removal, rather than dissolving. It should not damage most surfaces that it’s used on, like vinyl, wood, laminate, plastic, etc. Remember to always test on an inconspicuous area first.
Solvent cleaners and thinners like CRC ADOS Solvent N are great items to have around the house and have a wide range of practical applications. CRC ADOS Solvent N is part of our extensive range of solvent cleaners at CRC – if you are looking for advice on the best solvent for your clean-up job, talk to one of the team today.