Naphthenic solvents are clearly the best choices for replacing xylene and other aromatic solvents. When combined with solvent recycling, they can help ensure your lab is both safe and running cost-effectively. The Full Benefits Kira S. (1977). "Measurement by gas chromatography of urinary hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid as indices of toluene and xylene exposure". Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 34 (305–309): 305–309. doi: 10.1136/oem.34.4.305. PMC 1008281. PMID 588486. Xylenes are an important petrochemical produced by catalytic reforming and also by coal carbonisation in the manufacture of coke fuel. They also occur in crude oil in concentrations of about 0.5–1%, depending on the source. Small quantities occur in gasoline and aircraft fuels. If you add too much thinner to your paint mix, the paint can become too thin and you get runs and sags in the finish. Drying times can also be affected with the paint drying too fast and going matt, or too slow and staying soft. Store xylene in a safe place: Xylene should be stored in a cool, dry place away from any sources of heat or flames.

Martindale, David C. and Kuchar, Paul J., Production of xylenes from light aliphatic hydrocarbons via dehydrocyclodimerization and methylation, United States Patent No. 5,043,502, 1991-8-27. Accessed 2012-4-28.Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Tremblay, Jean-François (2011). "Making Aromatics in Singapore". Chemical & Engineering News Archive. 89 (38): 18–19. doi: 10.1021/cen-v089n038.p018.

Many people think paint thinners are the same as paint cleaners. Although you can clean tools with whatever the suitable paint thinner is for the coating you are using, we do not recommend using a paint thinner as a substrate cleaner. Gagnaire, F.; Marignac, B.; Langlais, C.; Bonnet, P. (July 2001). "Ototoxicity in rats exposed to ortho-, meta- and para-xylene vapours for 13 weeks". Pharmacology & Toxicology. 89 (1): 6–14. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0773.2001.d01-129.x. ISSN 0901-9928. PMID 11484912. When it comes to industrial paint, paint thinners are one of the paint categories that often get glossed over. Below we will discuss the differences between paint thinners and paint cleaner products. We will also discuss the pitfalls of using a paint thinner incorrectly as a paint remover. Paint Chemistry Lesson 101: Paint CarriersHere at Cromwell, we want to make the process of purchasing from us as simple and easy as possible. To ensure that you select the right product for your desired application, we've outlined some key terms. Also known as dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, and beta-ketopropane, Acetone is commercially manufactured but is also found naturally in plants, trees and in humans (as a by product of metabolism). A versatile solvent, acetone has many uses including thinning polyester resin, vinyl and adhesives. It is also useful in preparing surfaces such as metal, and wood prior to painting. Acetone is a good solvent that is a component of some paints and varnishes as well as for most plastics and synthetic fibres. One of the most important uses of xylene is in medicine, particularly in histology or the microscopic examination of tissues. Here, it is used in the staining process of tissues for microscopy. In a nutshell, histopathologists can examine tissues for tell-tale signs of any disease. Tissues are prepared using paraffin wax for cutting, and xylene is used because it’s highly miscible with paraffin, making the cell transparent. White Spirit is used for brush cleaning and thinning a wide range of oil/solvent based paints, varnishes and wood finishing products. It is the recommended thinner and cleaner for many, though not all, of paints here at Palatine Paints.

This product can also be used as a spray equipment or brush cleaner like any other thinner but it could be argued there are more cost effective products capabale of doing the same, Xyelene really excels at thinning paint for a premium finish in Matt, Satin or Gloss topcoats. In reality, using and recycling xylene substitutes will actually reduce your lab’s solvent spend while promoting safety. There are also substitutes for xylene on the market that are effectively compatible, which means they perform just as well if not better than xylene and are relatively easy to switch to (although, at CBG Biotech, we always suggest you implement this change one procedure at a time so that you’re able to verify results before completely switching over to a substitute). Is Using Xylene Potentially Hazardous?

What's the difference between thinners for cleaning and thinners for spray application?

Capturing Opportunities for Para-xylene Production". UOP, A Honeywell Company . Retrieved 8 February 2015. Paint thinners are a simple and ideal way of cleaning brushes to help with the removal of excess paint. Even though the negative health effects of xylene have been known for more than 60 years, some labs continue to use this solvent when alternatives exist. Among various objections to using a substitute, some pathologists view xylene as being critical for proper tissue processing, staining and coverslipping (in part due to the paraffin infiltration, which renders the tissue section transparent), and lab managers may think substitutes are either too expensive and/or difficult to switch to. HIPPURIC and METHYL HIPPURIC ACIDS in urine" (PDF). NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) (Fourthed.).