Aussie printers - wash up question

Just curious to know what other Aussie printers (or anyone who cares to reply, really!) are using to wash up their presses? I only ask because we can’t get California Wash (or equivalents) here in Australia, and I’m a bit unsure if ‘mineral spirits’ (that US-based printers seem to refer to) is the same thing here in Aus… does anyone use turps (turpentine), or is that a no-no?

I’m using rubber-based inks with rubber rollers. Photopolymer plates with a Boxcar base also.

I’d love to know what others use to wash up and have found effective.

Thanks! :)

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I have used Solvex 1425 for the past year, and it works fine cleaning up the type with a soft bristle shoe brush and the brayer with hand towel paper. It was recommended to me by a 3rd generation printer, who tells me that it is related to airline fuel and leaves little to no residue. I also use GBC rubber rejuvenator on the brayers every so often….seems to help.

I have a very large ventilated studio space so fumes are not a problem, but I they are both very potent chemicals. Another printer was telling me about a “green” alternative from GBC (I think) but I haven’t tracked it down yet. The other drawback with Solvex is that I can only buy it in 20 litre drums and this is about 3+ years worth for someone printing small quantities on an Albion.

I too would be interested to hear what others are using in Australia.

Derek

Hi
Back in the 60’s we used Kero for most washups with a stronger now banned solvent (shellite) nearby for dried ink. I used turps for offset washups but there are serious health issues with long term turps use. I have trialled citrus based solvent but found it very odourous. Printmakers in Tafe colleges use it diluted with vegetable oil! I tried this but it just runs all over the press so I’m back on Kero.
Dennis

Hi
Back in the 60’s we used Kero for most washups with a stronger now banned solvent (shellite) nearby for dried ink. I used turps for offset washups but there are serious health issues with long term turps use. I have trialled citrus based solvent but found it very odourous. Printmakers in Tafe colleges use it diluted with vegetable oil! I tried this but it just runs all over the press so I’m back on Kero.
Dennis

Hi from Northern Australia

I’ve used mineral turps for the last 25 years to wash up ink from etching and relief work, to clean plates,blocks, rollers, ink slab etc….
I usually have a washout area setup outside on an old table. A moveable ink slab is also a good idea so you can clean it outside too.

I use BR3B which I got from Brissett in Sydney. Works great but it’s still pretty potent and you will need a ventilated area.

What do Aussies use to thin oil based paint and clean up their brushes and rollers? We Yanks call it paint thinner or mineral spirits. I believe in the U.K. they may call it white spirit. Turpentine used to be used, but turps is mostly only used by the artists today. Kerosene works well. Kerosene is very close to JP-5 jet aircraft fuel. It may also be used in oil lamps. In the old days it was called coal oil. Kerosene does leave a bit of oily residue and can be a bit of a problem with later use of rubber base ink. A finish wipe with alcohol works well.

I have heard of a product sold by Brissett Rollers (Sydney based but with agencies in most cities) that is water based and is very good for cleaning up rollers. It is known as BR12. It is supposed to be kinder on the rubber of the rollers and does not lead to glazing. I am going to get some this week and see how it goes on the rollers and the inked type.
Its always good to get away from the turps/benzine based products. My father-in-law spend a lifetime as a printing mechanic/engineer for a newspaper and use most of the “traditional” solvents for cleaning up. He died of cancer in his mid ‘60’s!

It’s 2012. You don’t want to use kero, turps or health/environmentally damaging chemicals.

I’d recommend Fluid Technologies Ecowash:
http://www.fluidtechnologies.com.au/ECO%20series.html

You can mix it with water to dilute it. It is ok on the skin, good with the environment, and washes up very well.

One note: Fluid Technologies towards the end of 2011 was under some sort of a debt collecting situation. From my experience, their product is great, and there’s no need to be alarmed with this.