CLEAN
SPIRIT - THE
SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO WHITE SPIRIT
Clean Spirit from Bartoline, is a water based, highly effective
alternative to White Spirit, that is safer to use and to the environment. The
formulation contains all biodegradable ingredients. A high-tech mix of low VOC
components, Clean Spirit is non-toxic, virtually odourless and is
non-flammable.
Clean Spirit can be used to clean all water based and most oil based
paints from brushes, rollers and paint pads. Contains a conditioning agent,
leaving brushes soft and supple. May also be used to clean paint spills from
surfaces such as worktops, laminate flooring, most textiles, glass, etc.
Below, are the most commonly asked questions regarding this new and
innovative product:
What is Clean Spirit?
Clean
Spirit is a highly effective water based, high-tech mixture of components,
developed by Bartoline Limited to be an alternative to traditional White
Spirit. It has many advantages over standard solvents as it is not hydrocarbon
based.
What can I use Clean
Spirit for?
Clean
Spirit can be used to clean both water and most oil based paints from brushes,
rollers and paint pads. It also contains a special conditioning agent that
leaves painting tools soft, supple and just like new. It is also excellent to
clean paint spills from surfaces such as worktops, laminate flooring, most
textiles, glass, etc., as well as for removing paint spills from carpets.
Will Clean
Spirit work on all oil based paints?
Clean Spirit will work on all known oil based paints but on
certain occasions the cleaning process may have to be repeated a number of
times to fully clean the implement. If on the first attempt the solution does
not change colour then White Spirit should be used. In these circumstances a
single follow up application of Clean Spirit will condition the implement for
future use.
Is Clean Spirit
safer to use than standard White Spirit?
Yes.
Traditional solvent cleaning products such as White Spirit are generally
flammable. Clean Spirit is a non-flammable product with no storage
restrictions. The majority of solvent based cleaners on sale are classified as
hazardous and in most cases can cause serious internal and external damage to
humans. The reduced amount of toxins in Clean Spirit benefit everyone, including
those with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
Is Clean Spirit
safer for the environment than White Spirit?
Yes.
This is one of the key factors of Clean Spirit. The main environmental impact
of the majority of cleaning solvents such as White Spirit is the release of
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) into the atmosphere, which contributes to
lower level atmospheric pollution. The
VOC content of White Spirit is generally around 800g per litre. Clean Spirit has LOW VOC properties and is therefore less damaging to the
environment than traditional White Spirit. In addition to this, the majority of
users pour used White Spirit down a domestic sink which causes problems in the
environment because of the poor biodegradability of such products. All the
ingredients of Clean Spirit are readily biodegradable and therefore less
damaging to the environment.
Is Clean Spirit
safe to use around animals?
Yes. Clean Spirit is no more harmful than washing up liquid.
Do I need to
wear gloves when using Clean Spirit?
This depends on the duration and frequency of skin contact.
For one off short duration contact, the use of gloves is not required. If
however you use the product for long periods or frequently (more than once a
day) then the use of gloves is recommended. Persons with sensitive skin should
always use gloves when using this type of product.
How do I use
Clean Spirit?
Highlighted
below are some examples which we expect Clean Spirit to be used for:
Cleaning
Brushes, Paint Pads and Rollers:
Remove
as much paint as possible before cleaning. Pour a quantity of Clean Spirit into
a generous sized container, dip the implement into the solution and work well
in. Remove from the container and using a cloth rub in the solution. Repeat the
above if necessary always using fresh Clean Spirit. Rinse in clean water and dry.
Cleaning
spills from Hard Surfaces:
Absorb
as much of the paint as possible with a cloth or paper towel. Pour a generous
quantity of Clean Spirit onto a cloth or paper towel and wipe the surface until
all paint has been removed. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Cleaning
spills from Textiles:
Test
a small patch for colour fastness. Pour a quantity of Clean Spirit directly
onto the affected area and rub vigorously until paint has been removed. Rinse
or wash with clean water.
Cleaning
spills from Carpets:
Always
treat the stain immediately. Blot up the
paint with a clean towel. Pour Clean Spirit on a white cloth and blot the
stain. Repeat this until no paint is transferred to the cloth. If possible,
only use a blotting motion, otherwise rub in one direction to preserve the
carpet pile. To rinse, apply cool water and blot to remove excess water.
Can I thin oil
based paint with Clean Spirit?
This is not recommended. Although Clean Spirit will thin oil
based paint it can affect the drying time. White Spirit should always be used
for thinning oil based paints.
How do I dispose
of used Clean Spirit?
All the ingredients within Clean Spirit are readily
biodegradable and therefore are no more dangerous to the environment than
washing up liquid. For household use the used Clean Spirit can be flushed down
the sink. This is not a recommended practice for industrial use and the
instructions contained within the Safety Data Sheet for waste disposal should
be followed.
On the label is
says “pour a quantity of Clean Spirit into a generous sized container”. What is
meant by a generous sized container?
A
container sufficiently large enough to allow the painting implement to be
worked in the solution. Because of Clean Spirit’s non aggressive properties you
can use plastic, metal or glass, unlike most solvent cleaners such as White
Spirit, the plastic will not be affected by the product.
Being water based, will Clean Spirit Freeze?
Clean Spirit will freeze as it is predominantly water based, however this occurs at a lower temperature than water. There should be no problem providing containers are stored inside an outbuilding, garden shed, garage, motor vehicle, etc. However, in times of extreme cold, there is a likelihood of this happening. When this occurs, the product readily thaws with no detrimental effects to either performance or looks.