View Full Version : Body Solvent vs. Degreaser ?
HappyWax
05-10-2009, 08:39 PM
Can someone explain the difference between these two types of cleaners?
I am looking to buy Megs Body Solvent or Megs super degreaser -
I would love it if someone can explain the difference both on the molecular make-up as well as the practical differences.
The body solvent is only a few dollars more but if it`s considered better by a long shot then I would have no problem spending the extra.
FYI I already use megs APC so if one product is too similar let me know!
Thanks
Poordude
05-10-2009, 09:04 PM
Solvents will break down a soil like tree sap; road tar or oil. They have no or very few surfactants like a degreaser & leave a residue which needs to be rinsed off. They are very harmful to yourself & the enviroment & these products are on borrowed time.
Most degreasers use butyl which is another bad bad product. It is very cheap & works well but don,t inhale it or get it on your skin. They work by attaching the soil to the surfactants like an octopus & holding it in suspension to be easily removed & not redeposited on whatever your cleaning. Cleaning is an act of opposites. You need a high ph to remove a low ph soil & vice versa.
Degreasers range from nuetral(7) up to 12 & high ph can damage paint if left on the surface too long.
Degreaser is the better enviromental product but solvents work better on any oil/grease/tree sap kind of soil.
i sell chemicals for a living so i kinda have a good handle on this stuff.
Solvents take for ever to biodegrade & alkaline degreasers break down much more quickly.
megs apc is a mild degreaser...just a lower ph & not as many aggressive surfactents.
HappyWax
05-10-2009, 09:19 PM
So then your recommendations? -Is there a good environmentally sound alternative for road tar/ heavy bug & junk (for lack of a better word) ??
Thanks for the chemistry info- Body solvent sounds sort of like mineral spirits or paint thinner.
Poordude
05-11-2009, 07:44 AM
The citrus based solvents are a slightly better enviromental choice. They use D`Limonene which is based off an orange peel extract. It is still harmfull stuff even tho it is plant based but it,s a lesser of all evils.
reparebrise
05-11-2009, 08:51 AM
So then your recommendations? -Is there a good environmentally sound alternative for road tar/ heavy bug & junk (for lack of a better word) ??
The alternative we use in our shops is steam.