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Use Methylated Spirits 95% for: Preparing surfaces for sealing or bonding, cleaning uncured adhesives from tools and substrates, and general-purpose solvent cleaning.
Achieve a truly professional finish on every job with Adheseal Methylated Spirits 95%. As an essential companion for any trade professional, this high-purity solvent is your go-to solution for critical surface preparation and cleanup. Its fast-evaporating, residue-free formula ensures that substrates are perfectly clean before the application of adhesives and sealants, promoting maximum adhesion. It's the reliable choice for thinning compatible adhesives and effortlessly cleaning up challenging residues from tools and surfaces.
Product Details:
Purity and Composition: Containing greater than 99% Ethanol, this high-purity formula provides aggressive cleaning power without leaving behind oily films or residues that can compromise adhesion. This purity is critical for sensitive applications where surface integrity is paramount.
Evaporation Curing System: The product works by simple evaporation, a key feature that speeds up your workflow. After wiping a surface, it flashes off quickly, reducing preparation time and allowing you to move on to the next task without the need for additional drying steps.
Water-Thin Consistency: Its very low viscosity allows it to penetrate small crevices and clean intricate parts effectively, ensuring all contaminants are reached and removed from the entire bonding area.
Hazard Profile: This is a highly flammable and toxic substance, classified as a Class 3 Dangerous Good. It is toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin and can cause organ damage. Safe handling, proper ventilation, and appropriate PPE are mandatory.
Key Features of Methylated Spirits 95% & What They Mean For You
- High-Purity Formula: Ensures effective, streak-free cleaning and degreasing with no interfering residues, giving you the perfect canvas for strong, reliable adhesive bonds.
- Fast Evaporation: Your surfaces are clean, dry, and ready for the next step in minutes. This significantly speeds up job site preparation and tool cleanup, saving you valuable time.
- Versatile Solvent Action: Effectively cleans a wide range of common construction contaminants and cleans up many uncured adhesives and sealants, reducing the need for multiple specialised cleaners on site.
- Bulk 20Lt Packaging: Provides a cost-effective solution for workshops, high-volume users, and job sites, ensuring you always have this essential product on hand.
Why Choose Methylated Spirits 95%:
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Problem: "Surface contaminants like dust, oil, or fingerprints are compromising my sealant and adhesive bonds."
Solution with Methylated Spirits 95%: A quick wipe-down removes these contaminants effectively, ensuring a chemically clean surface that allows for maximum adhesion and a professional, long-lasting finish. -
Problem: "Cleaning up uncured adhesive from tools and substrates is slow and difficult."
Solution with Methylated Spirits 95%: It acts as a powerful solvent for many common adhesives, making cleanup fast and efficient, and helping to prolong the life of your tools. -
Problem: "Some adhesives require thinning for specific applications or spray systems."
Solution with Methylated Spirits 95%: It can be used as a compatible thinner for some adhesives, offering greater control over viscosity and application. Always test for compatibility first.
When to Choose Methylated Spirits 95% Over Other Options:
- Choose Methylated Spirits 95% over "general-purpose household cleaners" when: You need to remove industrial-grade grime, oils, and uncured adhesives. Household cleaners lack the solvent power and can leave behind soaps or silicones that cause bond failure.
- Choose Methylated Spirits 95% over "specialty proprietary cleaners" when: You need a versatile, cost-effective all-rounder for general prep and cleanup across a wide range of tasks. While specialty cleaners have their place, Methylated Spirits is an indispensable, multi-purpose workshop staple.
- Methylated Spirits 95% is particularly effective for: Final wipe-down of non-porous substrates like aluminium, glass, and metals before bonding; cleaning up tools immediately after use; and thinning certain solvent-based adhesives.
- Consider other Adheseal solutions when: You are working with highly sensitive plastics or coatings that may be damaged by a strong solvent. In these cases, a pH-neutral cleaner or a specific primer may be more appropriate. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.
Trade-Specific Applications & Pro Tips for Methylated Spirits 95%:
For Glaziers and Signage Installers:
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Application Focus: Preparing Aluminium Frames and Glass for Bonding
- Micro-Guide: 1. Apply Methylated Spirits to a clean, lint-free cloth. 2. Wipe the surface in one direction to lift and remove contaminants. 3. Use a second clean, dry cloth to wipe away any residue immediately after. 4. Allow to fully evaporate before applying sealant or vinyl.
- Performance Benefits: Provides an impeccably clean, static-free surface, ensuring a void-free, permanent bond for structural silicones and plotter vinyl.
- Pro Tip: The "two-cloth" method is critical. The first cloth wets and lifts dirt; the second removes it before the solvent evaporates and redeposits it.
- Common Pitfall to Avoid: Using dirty or recycled rags, which can transfer contaminants back onto the clean surface. Always use fresh, clean cloths.
For Builders and Caulking Professionals:
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Application Focus: Cleaning Substrates Around a Joint Before Sealing
- Micro-Guide: 1. Ensure the joint is free of loose debris. 2. Moisten a cloth with Methylated Spirits and wipe down the faces of the joint (e.g., powder-coated window frame, brickwork). 3. Allow a minute for the solvent to fully evaporate before applying masking tape or sealant.
- Material Compatibility Notes: Excellent for metals and most cured coatings. Crucially, test on an inconspicuous spot on plastics, paints, and porous surfaces to ensure it doesn't cause staining or damage.
- Performance Benefits: Removes invisible oils and dust that can act as a bond-breaker, ensuring the sealant adheres correctly to the substrate and not to the dirt.
- Common Pitfall to Avoid: Applying sealant before the solvent has completely evaporated. Trapped solvent can compromise the sealant cure and its adhesion.
How to use Methylated Spirits 95%
- Essential Tools & Setup: Use with clean, lint-free cloths. Ensure you are wearing appropriate PPE, including chemical goggles and nitrile rubber gloves for intermittent contact.
- Surface Preparation – The Key to Success: The primary use of this product *is* surface preparation. Before using, ensure heavy deposits or loose material are removed mechanically. The goal is to use the solvent on a relatively clean surface for a final, chemical clean.
- Trade-Specific Pro Tips for Optimal Results: Always test the solvent on a small, hidden area of the substrate first to ensure it doesn't discolour, soften, or damage the surface, especially on paints, plastics, and powder coatings.
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Troubleshooting Common On-Site Issues:
- Issue: A hazy film is left on the surface. Solution: This is often caused by using a dirty rag or the solvent dissolving a contaminant and redepositing it. Use the two-cloth cleaning method and ensure cloths are clean.
- Issue: The surface material has become soft or sticky. Solution: Stop immediately. The solvent is incompatible with that specific plastic or coating. This highlights the critical importance of testing before full application.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Handling
- Optimal Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight and away from all sources of heat and ignition, such as sparks or open flames. The product should be stored locked up and kept in a standing, upright position.
- Shelf Life and Batch Information: Has a minimum shelf life of 2 years when stored in its original, unopened container under the correct conditions.
- Handling & Disposal: This is a highly flammable and toxic liquid. Do not smoke, eat, or drink while using. Ground and bond containers during transfer to prevent static discharge. Dispose of contents and container in accordance with your local waste management authority regulations.
Certifications and Compliance
- Dangerous Goods Classification: Classified as Dangerous Goods (Class 3, Flammable Liquid) for transport by road, rail, sea, and air, and must be handled and stored in accordance with these regulations.
- Hazardous Material: Classified as a hazardous material according to the criteria of Safe Work Australia GHS 7, requiring specific controls and PPE during use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Methylated Spirits 95%
Q: Can I use Methylated Spirits 95% to clean painted surfaces?
A: You must test on a small, inconspicuous area first. While it is safe on many fully cured industrial coatings like powder coat, it can soften, dull, or strip other paints, especially fresh or single-pack enamels. Caution is essential.
Q: Is it safe to use indoors?
A: Only if the area is extremely well-ventilated. Vapours are toxic if inhaled and are highly flammable. Open all windows and doors and use a fan to ensure fresh air circulation. If adequate ventilation cannot be achieved, a suitable organic vapour respirator must be worn.
Q: What is the main difference between this and regular household methylated spirits?
A: Adheseal Methylated Spirits 95% is a high-purity grade solvent formulated for industrial and trade use. This means it contains fewer impurities and additives that could leave residues, making it more reliable for critical surface preparation where bond strength is essential.
Q: What type of gloves should I wear?
A: The Safety Data Sheet suggests that gloves made from nitrile rubber should be suitable for intermittent contact. Always check your gloves for signs of degradation and wash your hands thoroughly after use.
Q: How do I deal with a small spill?
A: For small spills, first ensure there are no ignition sources nearby. Wearing protective equipment, wipe up the spill with an absorbent material like a clean rag or paper towel. Seal the waste in a properly labelled container for disposal.
Applications Where Methylated Spirits 95% Excels:
- Adhesive and Sealant Preparation: Providing a final, chemically clean wipe-down of non-porous substrates to ensure maximum bond strength.
- Tool and Equipment Cleanup: Quickly dissolving and removing many types of uncured adhesives, sealants, and resins from tools, saving time and preserving your equipment.
- Adhesive Thinning: Acting as a compatible diluent for some adhesives to achieve a desired viscosity for specific application methods.
- General-Purpose Solvent Cleaning: Effectively removing inks, light oils, and general grime from hard, non-sensitive surfaces in a workshop or on-site environment.
Top Benefits of Using Methylated Spirits 95% on Your Projects:
- Promotes Superior Adhesion: Its primary benefit is creating a perfectly clean, residue-free surface, which is the foundation for any high-performance, long-lasting adhesive or sealant bond.
- Increases Workflow Efficiency: The fast, clean evaporation means less downtime. You can prep, clean, and move on to the next task quicker, helping you complete jobs faster.
- Versatile and Cost-Effective: Acts as a cleaner, thinner, and cleanup solvent in one, reducing the number of different products you need to keep in your van or workshop. The bulk 20Lt size offers excellent value.
- Professional-Grade Reliability: Unlike hardware store alternatives, this high-purity grade product gives you consistent, reliable performance for critical trade applications where failures are not an option.
Step-by-Step Application Guide for Methylated Spirits 95%:
- Preparation is Paramount: Work in a well-ventilated area away from any ignition sources. Put on your required PPE, including safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
- Test First: Apply a small amount of solvent to a clean cloth and wipe a small, inconspicuous area of your substrate to ensure it is compatible and does not cause any damage.
- Apply with a Clean Cloth: Moisten a fresh, clean, lint-free cloth with Methylated Spirits. Do not douse the surface directly.
- Wipe the Surface: Wipe the surface in a single direction to lift and remove contaminants. Avoid scrubbing back and forth, as this can redeposit the grime. For very dirty surfaces, use the "two-cloth" method (one to wet, one to wipe dry).
- Allow to Evaporate: The solvent will evaporate quickly on its own. Ensure it has fully flashed off (the surface is completely dry and there is no solvent smell) before applying any adhesive, sealant, or coating.
- Clean-Up: Tightly close the container immediately after use. Allow cloths to air dry in a well-ventilated, safe area before disposal.
Important Limitations & Safety When Using Methylated Spirits 95%:
Product Limitations:
- Not for Sensitive Surfaces: Do not use on materials known to be sensitive to strong solvents, such as certain plastics, rubbers, and paints, without extensive testing first.
- Not a Heavy-Duty Degreaser: While it is an effective cleaner, it may not be sufficient for removing thick, caked-on grease or bitumen. A dedicated degreaser may be required first.
- Not for Human Consumption: It is a denatured alcohol and is highly toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of children at all times.
Safety First – Protecting Yourself and Your Workspace:
- Extreme Fire Hazard: This is a highly flammable liquid. Keep away from all ignition sources including heat, sparks, open flames, pilot lights, and non-explosion-proof electrical equipment. No smoking.
- Toxicity Hazard: Vapours are toxic if inhaled. It is also toxic if it contacts the skin or is swallowed. Avoid breathing vapours and avoid all skin and eye contact.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear safety glasses with side shields (AS/NZS 1337.1) and nitrile rubber gloves (AS/NZS 2161) at a minimum.
- Ventilation: Use only outdoors or in a very well-ventilated area. Ensure eyewash stations and safety showers are nearby.
- First Aid Essentials: If swallowed, call the Poisons Information Centre (131 126) or a doctor immediately; do not induce vomiting. If on skin, remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. For eye contact, flood with water for at least 15 minutes.
Methylated Spirits 95% Surface Compatibility Profile:
- Metals (Aluminium, Steel, Stainless Steel): Excellent. Effectively removes oils, grease, and shop grime to prepare the surface for welding, painting, or bonding.
- Glass: Excellent. Provides a perfectly clean, streak-free, and static-free surface ideal for window sealing, glazing, and vinyl application.
- Ceramics and Tiles (Glazed): Good. Removes grime and soap scum from non-porous tiles before sealing or regrouting.
- Cured Paints & Powder Coatings: Good, but testing is mandatory. Use to remove light contaminants but watch for any dulling or softening of the coating.
- Plastics & Rubbers: Use with extreme caution. It can cause crazing, softening, or swelling in many common plastics (e.g., acrylic, polystyrene). Always test on a scrap piece or hidden area before use.
- Porous Substrates (Untreated wood, concrete, stone): Not recommended for cleaning. The solvent will soak in and can draw stains to the surface or interfere with the penetration of primers and sealers.
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