The Ultimate Guide to Degreasing: Tips, Tricks, and Recommended Resource
For many jobs in the house or outside you will need to degrease. It is useful to know which means you could use for this. In this blog I will go deeper into the subject of degreasing.
For which jobs do I actually degrease?
-To paint
-Spraying (paint) -Caulking
-Gluing work
-Cooking equipment (stoves, hotplates, griddles)
-Pans / deep fryer
-Soldering
-Cleaning of car/motorcycle/moped blocks
- Degrease glassware
Why is degreasing so important for painting or spraying work?
Before you start a painting or spraying job it is very important to degrease the material first. This is necessary because otherwise the paint will not adhere properly.
It is important that you first degrease before you start sanding. You do this because otherwise you can sand grease and dirt into the material and/or spread it on the surface. If you want to be completely safe , degrease again after sanding.
There is then a great chance that the paint will flake off.
In addition, degreasing also removes other dirt from the surface.
What products can I use for degreasing?
ammonia
Widely used for degreasing frames, walls and or doors. Is mixed with water. Can discolour some types of wood, take that into account.
Isopropanol / IPA / Propanol-2
Good agent to use for spray jobs. Also widely used for degreasing printed circuit boards. This agent is widely used because it evaporates quickly and leaves little to no residue.
Universol
Alternative to ammonia. The product does not smell and according to reviews cleans better than ammonia. Universol is biodegradable and the product does not foam. Universol is concentrated, you may need 1 liter to clean the woodwork of a house. You can paint directly after cleaning with universol.
Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl alcohol can be compared to isopropanol/IPA/Propanol-2. They are both good degreasers that leave little to no residue. Alcohol is easily soluble in water. This allows you to mix it well according to application. The difference between isopropanol and ethyl alcohol is that isopropanol is synthetic and ethyl alcohol/ethanol is not.
Thinner
Previously a widely used agent for degreasing. Usually used to thin paint. Thinner is a strong agent and is very bad for your health. The agent is corrosive, slightly caustic, therefore not a perfect agent for degreasing.
White spirit
White spirit is often used to clean paint stains and or grease stains. You can also use it as a sticker remover.
Turpentine
Turpentine is a greasy substance, so it is not advisable to use turpentine to degrease. Turpentine is often used as a solvent or paint thinner.
Spirits
Alcohol is a good degreaser for windows and or glassware. Also often used to degrease stainless steel.
Sodium Hydroxide / Caustic Soda
Caustic soda is a widely used agent in the kitchen for sinks, tiles, walls, floors and doors.
Conclusion degreasing
In summary, degreasing surfaces is an essential step to maintain a clean and healthy environment. The process of degreasing can be done in different ways depending on the type of surface and the type of grease that needs to be removed. There are different agents available for degreasing such as degreasers, ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar. Choose the right agent based on the type of grease and the surface it is to be applied to. By using the right agents and techniques, you can keep your home, workplace, or other environment hygienic and healthy. Stay safe and follow the right steps when degreasing surfaces.
The Ultimate Guide to Degreasing: Tips, Tricks, and Recommended Resource
For many jobs in the house or outside you will need to degrease. It is useful to know which means you could use for this. In this blog I will go deeper into the subject of degreasing.
For which jobs do I actually degrease?
-To paint
-Spraying (paint) -Caulking
-Gluing work
-Cooking equipment (stoves, hotplates, griddles)
-Pans / deep fryer
-Soldering
-Cleaning of car/motorcycle/moped blocks
- Degrease glassware
Why is degreasing so important for painting or spraying work?
Before you start a painting or spraying job it is very important to degrease the material first. This is necessary because otherwise the paint will not adhere properly.
It is important that you first degrease before you start sanding. You do this because otherwise you can sand grease and dirt into the material and/or spread it on the surface. If you want to be completely safe , degrease again after sanding.
There is then a great chance that the paint will flake off.
In addition, degreasing also removes other dirt from the surface.
What products can I use for degreasing?
ammonia
Widely used for degreasing frames, walls and or doors. Is mixed with water. Can discolour some types of wood, take that into account.
Isopropanol / IPA / Propanol-2
Good agent to use for spray jobs. Also widely used for degreasing printed circuit boards. This agent is widely used because it evaporates quickly and leaves little to no residue.
Universol
Alternative to ammonia. The product does not smell and according to reviews cleans better than ammonia. Universol is biodegradable and the product does not foam. Universol is concentrated, you may need 1 liter to clean the woodwork of a house. You can paint directly after cleaning with universol.
Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl alcohol can be compared to isopropanol/IPA/Propanol-2. They are both good degreasers that leave little to no residue. Alcohol is easily soluble in water. This allows you to mix it well according to application. The difference between isopropanol and ethyl alcohol is that isopropanol is synthetic and ethyl alcohol/ethanol is not.
Thinner
Previously a widely used agent for degreasing. Usually used to thin paint. Thinner is a strong agent and is very bad for your health. The agent is corrosive, slightly caustic, therefore not a perfect agent for degreasing.
White spirit
White spirit is often used to clean paint stains and or grease stains. You can also use it as a sticker remover.
Turpentine
Turpentine is a greasy substance, so it is not advisable to use turpentine to degrease. Turpentine is often used as a solvent or paint thinner.
Spirits
Alcohol is a good degreaser for windows and or glassware. Also often used to degrease stainless steel.
Sodium Hydroxide / Caustic Soda
Caustic soda is a widely used agent in the kitchen for sinks, tiles, walls, floors and doors.
Conclusion degreasing
In summary, degreasing surfaces is an essential step to maintain a clean and healthy environment. The process of degreasing can be done in different ways depending on the type of surface and the type of grease that needs to be removed. There are different agents available for degreasing such as degreasers, ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar. Choose the right agent based on the type of grease and the surface it is to be applied to. By using the right agents and techniques, you can keep your home, workplace, or other environment hygienic and healthy. Stay safe and follow the right steps when degreasing surfaces.
