Bio-Solv - really replaces acetone?

[SVTatia]

When buying acetone, I came across this Bio-Solv product that is much more powerful and yet so gentle with everything....
Feature and applications from the manufacturer:

• Clean and prepare surfaces to be painted or epoxied
• Remove cured paints, varnishes and uncured resins, and polyurethanes
• Flush polyester, vinylester, epoxy, paint guns, lines and tools
• Use in place of Acetone, Toluene or Xylene
• No film reisdue when dried
• Non evaporating and recyclable
• Not listed on ODC, HAP or SARA reportable lists
• No environmentally hazardous ingredients
• No global warming compounds

That sounds too good…
It costs 3 times more than acetone, but since it outlasts, is more powerful and is non-evaporating, it may be worth it.
The non-evaporating bit is kind of worrisome, as I use acetone extensively for surface cleanup when working with epoxy and also the final cleanup before finishing teak for varnish, etc.
I’ll appreciate feedback and/or your experience with this product.

[Tayana42]

I use it as a cleaning solvent. Very strong but no noxious fumes. I still use gloves though. My wife insists.


S/V B'Shert

[a64pilot]

I know nothing about it, but gloves would be prudent.
Long time ago in the Army we used Acetone for everything, then it was proved to be harmful, so we went to MEK, then it was proved to be harmful, so we went to MIK, and I Retired. Since that fiasco I leaned that PPE (personal protective equipment) was a good thing, even if something isn't yet proved to be harmful, it can't hurt.

If this Bio-solv doesn't evaporate, how does it dry, and how does it not leave a film?

[Zach]

It works... I used a few gallons of it and went back to acetone.

Mainly it gets mighty funky if you are cleaning layup tools.

I couldn't get comfortable using it as a prep-solvent, just for cleanup so I ended up having it and acetone on hand.

[SVTatia]

Thank you for your replies.

Originally Posted by Zach

It works... I used a few gallons of it and went back to acetone.

Mainly it gets mighty funky if you are cleaning layup tools.

I couldn't get comfortable using it as a prep-solvent, just for cleanup so I ended up having it and acetone on hand.

I use acetone mostly for prep work.

The jury is still out... but better to stick around with the tried and true.

[randoo]

a64pilot...very astute question, you and I think alike. It would suggest that the user has to have a lot of rags around

[Canuck Sailor]

We just did a lot epoxy work and I used Vinegar to clean up the tools and hands. I know it doesn't costs anywhere near Acetone but never used it for any prep work and can't recommend that. Hadn't even heard of Bio-Solv in this area.

[thinwater]

I'm confused. why is acetone so bad?

Yes, it is flammable. But many of the implied down sides simply are not true. Their claims are intended to fool you into think acetone is the things this product is not.

Acetone is...

• Not a HAP
• Not a VOC
• Not particularly toxic. In fact, it is a natural metabolite.
• Not carcinogenic
• Does not bioaccumulate

And by the way, BioSolv has much higher marine toxicity (about 100 times higher--compare the MSDSs).



Certainly, with heavy exposure (like an alcoholic's drinking, not occasional hobby use) there are damaging scenarios, but used with good ventilation I just don't see the problem. The BioSolv dodges the human toxicty bullet by saying "not hazardous if used according the the directions" which is also true for acetone.


The gullibility of Americans to green claims is hysterical and tragic. I like green, but we so often don't even bother to understand the words and the chemistry.