Waterproofing

Thinner & Cleaners

Solvents and cleaners for thinning primers, cleaning tools and equipment, and removing uncured sealant and adhesive residue before it sets hard.

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Thinner & Cleaners products

Thinner & Cleaners buying guide

Use the solvent the system specifies

Thinning a membrane or primer with the wrong solvent changes its cure chemistry and can void the warranty. Manufacturers nominate a specific thinner, and a specific maximum addition rate — usually a small percentage. Exceeding it thins the film below the required build even if the coverage rate looks right, and can leave a permanently soft membrane that never reaches its stated properties.

Cleaning up

Clean tools before the product skins. Once a polyurethane or MS polymer has cured on a roller or trowel, solvent will not remove it and the tool is finished. Keep a sealed container of solvent on site for brushes between coats rather than washing out repeatedly, and decant only what you need so the bulk stays uncontaminated.

Storage, handling and disposal

Solvents are flammable and most carry health warnings for inhalation and skin contact. Store them upright in a ventilated area away from ignition sources and out of direct sun, keep containers closed between uses, and never decant into unlabelled drink bottles. Used solvent and solvent-contaminated rags are regulated waste in NSW and cannot go into general site bins — rags soaked in curing polyurethane can also self-heat, so store them in a sealed metal container until disposal.

Surface degreasing before bonding

Beyond cleaning tools, solvents have a real role in surface preparation. Metal, glass and powder-coated surfaces carry release agents and handling oils that are invisible but will prevent adhesion. Wipe with a clean, lint-free cloth wet with the specified solvent, then wipe dry with a second clean cloth before the solvent evaporates. Letting the solvent evaporate on the surface simply redeposits the contamination it dissolved.

Frequently asked questions

How do I remove cured silicone?
Mechanically, mostly — cut the bulk away with a blade, then use a silicone remover gel to soften the residue. Solvent alone will not dissolve cured silicone.
Can I use turps instead of the specified thinner?
Not unless the manufacturer nominates it. Different solvents evaporate at different rates and interact differently with the resin, which affects film formation and cure.
How should solvent-soaked rags be disposed of?
In a sealed metal container, disposed of through a licensed waste contractor. Rags with curing polyurethane on them can generate heat and are a genuine fire risk in a site bin.

stocked at both jaden services trade counters — fairfield heights and prestons — with australia-wide delivery and trade pricing for regular accounts. Get in touch