Objective information on cleaners?

[GarageWarrior]

I'm looking for OBJECTIVE information on cleaners, such as:

A) Cleaning strength of chemicals on different types of contaminants, grease, soil and stains.

B) How cleaning agents, heat and agitation affect different types of fabric, plastic, metal and surface coatings.

B) Effects of dwell time, temperature and dilution on cleaning strength.

C) Comparison of agitation methods and their cleaning strength.

I only find scattered and often conflicting reports, but no comprehensive guide, which is frustrating because I have to keep guessing and waste time, money and storage space on chemicals and equipment that has limited effectiveness and damages stuff.

Suggestions?

 

[GarageWarrior]

Still looking. Found KB-value for various solvents, which is basically potency:

Kauri-Butano Value/ Boiling Point °C
Trichloroethylene 129/87°
Perchloroethylene 90/121°
Methylene Chloride 136/39.8°
n-Propyl Bromide 125/71°
Acetone NA/56°
Isopropyl Alcohol NA /82°
D-Limonene 67/154°
Toluene 105
Xylene 98
Mineral Spirits 37
Kerosene 34
Stoddard Solvent 33

This link has more info and data that I'm not yet sure how to apply (surface tension, vapor density, vapor pressure, heat of vaporization, etc):

http://www.forwardtech.com/precision-cleaning/precision-cleaning-systems/organic-solvent-cleaning

More data means less guessing

Methylene Chloride is looking good! I need to go see if any hardware store still sells it.

Also forgot NMP (N-Methyl Pyrrolidone) - KB value 350! The only solvent strong enough for cured epoxy. High boiling point/low evap/low odor/non carcinogenic. Goes for $50-60/gal on ebay and amazon.

 

[LandR]

NMP?!? Are you trying to rapidly decompose dead bodies?

I'd recommend a friend that owns a hog farm.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

At the farm supply locally I found heating elements meant to go into water troughs/tubs for drinking to keep them from icing over. They are meant to be submerged with a mounting hole through the side. I'm sorely tempted to get one ($50) and mount it in my parts washer. One model just deices, but another can get up to 180F, which is a bit TOO hot, but can be regulated. I'm betting that would help get rid a lot of grease on parts in the washer.

 

[ttpete]

Still looking. Found KB-value for various solvents, which is basically potency:

Kauri-Butano Value/ Boiling Point °C
Trichloroethylene 129/87°
Perchloroethylene 90/121°
Methylene Chloride 136/39.8°
n-Propyl Bromide 125/71°
Acetone NA/56°
Isopropyl Alcohol NA /82°
D-Limonene 67/154°
Toluene 105
Xylene 98
Mineral Spirits 37
Kerosene 34
Stoddard Solvent 33

This link has more info and data that I'm not yet sure how to apply (surface tension, vapor density, vapor pressure, heat of vaporization, etc):

http://www.forwardtech.com/precision-cleaning/precision-cleaning-systems/organic-solvent-cleaning

More data means less guessing

Methylene Chloride is looking good! I need to go see if any hardware store still sells it.

Also forgot NMP (N-Methyl Pyrrolidone) - KB value 350! The only solvent strong enough for cured epoxy. High boiling point/low evap/low odor/non carcinogenic. Goes for $50-60/gal on ebay and amazon.

Methylene Chloride is used for paint stripping and as a carburetor dip cleaner. The paint stripper is usually a gel to retard evaporation, and the carb dip is in a bucket with a layer of water soluble liquid on top for the same reason. It's nasty stuff that has to be handled with rubber gloves and eye protection.

I keep various solvents around, things like acetone, xylene, toluene, MEK, alcohol, etc. I use mineral spirits in the parts washer.