[Craigp]

Does any know of a cheaper alternative to Prochems Solvex?

I started using Alltecs dry cleaning solvent instead of Prochems Solvall a few years ago as it's cheaper, and now I'm looking for an alternative to Solvex as it's about £17 for 1 ltr these days. Ochh.

Does Alltec do a Non volatile solvent ?

Cheers Craig

[Lansdowne]

We use Solutions POG & have not used Solvex for years

[Mike Halliday]

what are you using it for? I don't carry any but get by with white spirit, acetone, meths, laundry soap etc

[Craigp]

Generally if I can't get an oil based stain up with Solvall then I use Solvex

Also Ink, paint.

Some make up, again only when Solvall fails.

I find with these two solvents if one does not work tother will.

[Craigp]

Oh forgot, I find on polypropylene, you know how Solvall can leave it's own clean spot that looks really bad, well Solvex seems to remove the oil spot but not leave those clean spots. I think that's why I use alot, it's mostly being used to avoid clean spots.

[markpowell]

Same as Mike H, White spirit etc

[john martin]

 Agree with both above also  ...  white spirit is best i'v come across for oil , tar , paint etc ... call it stoddard solvent , sounds fancier  
If its not coming out with white spirit  , acetone , isopropyl alcohol  , your often screwed .

btw ... mix a few drops of detergent ( liquid formula 90 ) for eg  ...in a spotter bottle with white spirit , and leave it couple of days ... forms a nice white spotter gel  , for some strange reason .  

[Brendan (chem2clean)]

hi,asked my girlfriend to get me some Isopropyl alcohol in a chemist,i was thinking a small bottle,after questioning her for 5 mins they said they only sell it in 5 litres,which she bought.I have not tried it on anything yet,whats it best for and is it as good as the likes of solvex,solvall etc??

[mick doherty]

greasebreaker from hydramaster is excellent on oil based stains, nice citrus smell too

[Brendan (chem2clean)]

pvc pipe cleaner is excellent on paint,make sure it the clear solution.

[Buckland]

Oh forgot, I find on polypropylene, you know how Solvall can leave it's own clean spot that looks really bad, well Solvex seems to remove the oil spot but not leave those clean spots. I think that's why I use alot, it's mostly being used to avoid clean spots.

Craig
Interesting what you say - on the so-called advanced stain removal course at National Flood School (well turned out not to be very advanced in fact) anyway the bloke running it kept bashing on about solvall and solvex neutralising each other and his preferred method of always using one after the other for general problem spotting - I forget the science but its a ying and yang routine I always follow...

[Craigp]

Yes it was always the case that a non volatile should be rinsed with a volatile. (as it's not rinsed with water and does not evaporate like a volatile)

However Prochem say it's not nessacary with Solvex as its a "water rinseable non volatile"

That's my understanding anyway.

[Craigp]

For those that don't know

Volatile = evaporates

Non volatile = does not evaporate