What Makes a Buffing Compound Remover Effective?
When you’re trying to improve your operations’ throughput, removal of buffing compounds and other soils and oils is imperative. Buffing or polishing compounds, which generally consist of an abrasive material suspended in a fat or oil, leave behind residue that must be removed to meet cleanliness standards or to ready a part or assembly for a next step, such as a coating process.
Added Complexities
The polishing or buffing process produces heat. When that heat degrades the buffing compound, it typically creates a hydrocarbon with a high melting temperature. The chemical solutions used to remove this are usually alkaline detergents, but their efficacy can be limited by the presence of the original abrasive material and the materials removed by polishing or buffing. Heat is required to do a thorough job of melting the hydrocarbons. It’s also key to clean buffed parts as soon as possible after the buffing process: If left to cool, solids left over from the process can become hardened in place.
While the cleaning equipment on your line is an essential part of the process, the chemical solutions used are also critical. So what makes a buffing compound remover effective? Here are four factors to consider:
- Does the chemical reliably remove a variety of residues from polishing and buffing compounds, including cerium oxide?
- Does the chemical offer a long bath life so that batches give consistent results over time?
- Is the chemical as environmentally friendly as possible while posing less of a health risk for workers?
- Does the chemical perform optimal cleaning without causing damage to the substrate?
Each of these factors play into whether or not a buffing compound is effective. Taken together, they can make the difference in the efficiency of a precision cleaning process.
For instance, if the chemical solution is effective at removing buffing and polishing compounds, the need for rework is reduced.Greater throughput and fewer rejects contribute to productivity and ultimately profitability.
Long bath life allows operations to produce consistent results throughout a day or shift. This again saves time that might normally be spent troubleshooting issues or refilling washers with new solutions.
An effective buffing compound remover that’s also environmentally friendly reduces risk to workers and allows manufacturers to reach sustainability and footprint goals. It also simplifies wastewater treatment.
Choosing a Compound Remover
Your cleaning supply vendor partner should help you select the best polishing or buffing compound remover for your particular application and substrate. For instance, your operation might benefit from a highly alkaline detergent for removal of both grease or oil and polishing and grinding residues, including cerium oxide.
The chemicals you use should work with and boost the effectiveness of the cleaning equipment on your line. Ultrasonic cleaning, for instance, works at an optimal level when paired with chemicals designed for cavitation and passivation.
Working With JAYCO Chemical Solutions
Finally, in order to be effective in your operations, a polishing or buffing compound remover must be readily available. At JAYCO, we continually deliver products to our customers promptly to meet their demands. We also offer expert guidance on the use of our chemicals and helpful support.
Are you looking for an effective buffing compound remover? Contact us to learn about your options.
JAYCO Chemical Solutions is North America’s single-source provider of engineered cleaning solutions. From process analysis and application engineering to delivery and support, JAYCO improves operations for precision metal, medical, optical, UHV, space/aerospace and general manufacturing customers. For more information on JAYCO Chemical Solutions, our products and our markets, please call us at (814) 593-0022, or email us at info@jaycochem.com.
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