My personal choice would be one of the essential oils of which there are many. There are in fact over one hundred different essentials Most of these are not extremely expensive and are readily available. They are quite environmentally friendly as they come from nature. Further they are extracted from the petals, roots, peels, and bark of different plants. So they were designed to interact with organic substances;...and we are talking here about removing organic/carbon based substances. Whether such are adhesives, natural resins, other nonessential oil residues, or just plain rather tenacious organic dirt. Also, as you will read below, different essentials are most effective at removing different organic substances. My advice is to carry a good assortment of industrial grade (these will be the least expensive) essentials to experiment with on site. Give each one enough time to work. I have learned that industrial solvents in general do take upwards of a half hour to penetrate the substance to be removed. Evan the most powerful. So essentials also take time to work. Another matter to consider is the identity of the surface you are attempting to clear. Is it mylar, acrylic, or polycarbonate? It could be sensitive to the chemical you are planning to use. Remember that plastics are usually carbon based. They are constructed from oil. Especially if the surface is under some type of mechanical stress like vibrational energy. So with all that being said have at it! I will be getting into the sales of industrial essentials at some time. This chemistry is way too amazing for me to leave alone.
Powerful Essential Oils for Specific Solvents
- For Sticky Sap & Resins: Orange oil (d-limonene) and Pine oils (pinene) are excellent natural degreasers and sap removers.
- For Adhesives & Pitch: Lavender essential oil is noted for tackling tree pitch and sticky labels.
- For Fragrance Extraction (Industrial/Lab): While not essential oils themselves, strong solvents used to get essential oils include ethanol, hexane, acetone, and bio-butanol for high yields.
- For General Cleaning/Degreasing: Eucalyptus oil and some citrus oils break down grime effectively.
Key Components
- D-Limonene (Citrus Oils): A powerful terpene that is a great solvent for oils, resins, and glues.
- Pinene (Pine Oils): Strong solvent for pine resin (pitch).
Important Distinction: Essential Oils vs. Extraction Solvents
- Essential Oils as Solvents: Are used at home for cleaning, often diluted in carrier oils or used neat (like lavender on pitch).
- Industrial Solvents: Chemicals like hexane, acetone, or ethanol are used in labs/industry to extract essential oils from plants, not typically used as the final essential oil product.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.