Suitable solvents for degreasing?

[kevin316i]

I have used methylated spirits to give a final clean to areas I was filling and painting, to ensure there were no traces of grease of contaminants present. However, the JB Weld site states that alcohol should not be used to clean areas.

I think that alcohol can affect epoxy, but I made sure that the areas were always dry. The supplier of the meths told me that it contains 84% Ethanol, 11% Methanol, 5% water and 0.1% dye (yeah I know, it adds up to 100.1%), so I don't see how this could leave any trace on the surface as it should all evaporate off.

Should I stick to good old washing up liquid and hot water, of what do you guys use?

I was thinking of using cellulose thinners, but can only buy it in 5L tins locally and it would take me about 100 years to consume this much! And I don't like having large quantities of volatile liquids in the garage.

[thebigone]

get the 5l can. 1/2 it and give it to a mate.

[drewjak]

DONT USE WATER , filler is pourus (like a sponge) it will hold water, soak all the way to the back and get between the filler and metal and eventually pop the filler off, or evoporate in the spray booth and blister your paint.
thinners wont hurt it just dont use loads of it,just a quick wipe with some on a tissue should do, it wont leave any traces behind unless you contaminate it with other fluids, grease, or bad paint work in the near area.

[kevin316i]

Thanks. I used hot water and washing up liquid first, rinsed with hot water and then left the areas for a few hours to make sure they were dry. Then I used the methylated spirits to give a final clean. Got an email from JB weld stating that alcohol could leave a reside that effects the bonding of the epoxy to the surface, but can't see how there would be any residue. They recommend acetone or lacquer thinner (celulose thinners?).

Think nail polish remover is basically acetone, need to check this out and if true, it can be bought in small quantities. I'm also going to conduct an experiment on the old front valence by cleaning with meths and then applying the relevant fillers and paints, let them cure and then see how difficult it is to chip them off. No, I'm not a scientist, just obsessive about getting things right

[wiledw]

Think nail polish remover is basically acetone, need to check this out and if true, it can be bought in small quantities.

Yes it is!