Solvents, Diluents,
& Thinners

NON-VOC, NON-HAP CLEANUP SOLVENT

Q: Is there a non-hazardous cleanup solvent on the market that is effective for non-hazardous two-part 100% solid epoxy paint (Royal EasyGuard)? I am currently creating a lot of hazardous waste out of non-hazardous paint by adding MEK as a cleanup solvent.

A:  There is a relatively "new" solvent being used by some military installations for cleanup of spray equipment that uses epoxy and polyurethane formulations. The solvent EP 921, marketed by Inland Technologies, is currently being used by some installations that I have visited.

Before you use it, I suggest that you try it first to see if it works for you. Painters have told me that it is effective in cleaning spray guns, but that it leaves a gunky film on the spray gun surfaces. Even if that is true, you can still do the final cleanup or wipe-down with a solvent such as MEK or MEK/Acetone (50%/50%).

I have been told that the solvent, which is neither a VOC nor a HAP takes longer to dissolve dried coatings than does MEK/Acetone (military installations tend to use a 50/50 mixture).

The major drawback, as far as I have heard, is cost. EP 921 is considerably more expensive; therefore, the clients I have visited do not use it to flush out fluid hoses. If used in an enclosed gun cleaner that is fitted with filters to keep the solvent clean, you might be able to get several months' of life from the product.

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