How to Choose a Precision Cleaning Solvent in Six Easy Steps
A precision cleaning solvent is a solvent that is used to clean precision parts. Precision parts often feature a detailed design that is characterized by small nooks and crannys that require a special approach for removing unwanted accumulations, such as dirt, grease, oil, and other substances. If you need help choosing a precision cleaning solvent, take some time to review the six easy to follow steps below. They can help you choose the right solvent for your needs.
1. Consider Cleaning Systems
Consider how you clean parts. For example, do you use a parts washing machine? Do you use aerosol in open air? Do you apply solvent using wipes? Some companies and organizations use one type of system, while others use more than one for different cleaning operations. Because your cleaner must comply with the system you use, considering cleaning systems is step one.
2. Consider Parts to be Cleaned
Of equal importance to step one is step two: Consider the parts you must clean in terms of their composition. For example, there’s a big difference between choosing a solvent for cleaning high-grade plastics and choosing one for treating grades of stainless steel. The goal is to choose a solvent that thoroughly cleans the material without causing corrosion or other damage.
3. Consider Solvent Safety Profile
Your choice of a precision cleaning solvent should also be informed by safety considerations. For example, does a solvent contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)? Does a solvent have a low flash point that makes it easy to ignite? Does a solvent require the user to wear the highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE)? Asking these questions helps protect your workers.
4. Consider Chemical Regulations
Has the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated chemicals in a solvent to the point where you couldn’t use the solvent in the necessary quantity? If so, buying the solvent in a large quantity would essentially be a waste of money. You can learn which chemicals are federally regulated by consulting the EPA’s most recent list of hazardous air pollutants.
5. Consider Stock Vs. Custom
If you’re having a tough time finding a precision cleaning solvent that meets your specific requirements, you may be in the market for a custom solvent. Through customization, a solvent can be created to perfectly address what you must clean and how you need to clean it.
6. Consider Ongoing Solvent Cost
A precision cleaning solvent won’t do you much good if you can’t use it in the necessary volume due to cost. However, even if the price of a solvent is a bit too high to acquire it on an ongoing basis, there are two cost saving measures you can take to help reduce expense: Order the solvent in bulk, and recycle and reuse the solvent, as your parts washing system permits.
Need a Precision Cleaning Solvent?
If your company or organization needs a precision parts cleaning solvent, there is no shortage of options on the table. Before you choose one, be sure to make six essential considerations: your type of cleaning system, the parts you must clean, the safety profile of a particular solvent, EPA chemical regulations, the cleaning power of stock solutions versus the efficacy of a custom solution, and the long-term cost of receiving solvent on a regular basis.
Contact Ecolink for Assistance
If you need assistance choosing a precision cleaning solvent, the solvent specialists at Ecolink are here to help. In assisting you with solvent selection, we’ll help you consider the points above, as well as any others that apply to your situation. For assistance with choosing a solvent or to place an order, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to supporting your precision parts cleaning system!