What solvents to keep on hand.

[Clisby Clark]

Thanks for the help with my previous ? about cleaning gunk off my spray gun. Scott, the Acetone cleaned it up much easier than DNA! Well anyway, I got to thinking about what solvents I should have on hand for various tasks. I know it depends on what finishes I use-primarily waterbornes, shellac, wiping varnish. That's about it that I can think of. As of now, no sovent lacquer. I ask this not only for cleaning after finishing, but for other uses in the home or shop that I'm not aware of. Right now, I keep water, mineral spirits, acetone, and DNA. Thanks for your help.

[Dale Cruea]

I keep DNA, mineral spirits, water(spray bottle), turpentine(for bees wax) and some lacquer thinner. The lacquer thinner only because I sprayed some lacquer a while back. When it is gone I will not replace it.
I like to keep my solvents to a minimum for safety.
Of course I about 50 cans for stain, paint and clear setting around that are just as bad.

[Howard Acheson]

I keep mineral spirits, acetone, lacquer thinner, DNA, water rinseable brush cleaner and paint stripper containing methylene chloride.

[Jim Finn]

I use Mineral spirits, acetone,DNA and Lacquer Thinner. I use lacquer thinner the most around the house to remove stubborn marks and stains.

[Scott Holmes]

Dale, mineral spirits is a solvent for bees wax too.

I have all that have been mentioned, and more; MEK, Toluene, xylene, 111 trichrolethelene.

Needless to say there is no smoking in my shop!

[Harvey Pascoe]

Considering the cost of this stuff and its tendency to evaporate, I'd say only the one's you need.

Scott, is MS a solvent for all waxes? Lets say I buffed a piece with a wax based compound and I need to recoat it again, what do I need to get the wax off completely?

[Scott Holmes]

I don't know for sure if it's a solvent for "all" waxes; it is a solvent for "most" waxes.


Edit: Sorry didn't see the rest of your question... Plenty of MS and clean rags turning a new section of rag for each wipe of wax removal.

[Harvey Pascoe]

Don't know why I didn't think of this before but when in doubt, test! So I took three different compound sticks and put a little MS on them and guess what? They all got soft and started to dissolve. This included metal polishing compounds.