Composite Tool Cleaner (Pre-Lamination Prep Kit)
Composite Tool Cleaner Pre-Lamination Prep Kit is a curated set of cleaning and surface preparation solvents and wipes designed for mold, tooling, and composite part surface preparation prior to lamination, bonding, gelcoat application, or repair operations.
Key Features
- ✓Two-step protocol: acetone/MEK first clean + IPA final wipe = reliable surface prep
- ✓Kit format ensures technicians always have the correct solvents in the correct sequence
- ✓Compatible with all common thermoset systems: UPR, VER, epoxy, polyurethane
- ✓Lint-free wipes included — no fiber contamination of prepared surfaces
- ✓Matches surface prep procedures in aerospace CMM, marine, and ISO 9001 repair standards
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wipes | Lint-free non-woven wipes (polyester or cellulose) |
| Packaging | Kit sizes: 1L + 1L + 50 wipes; 5L + 5L + 200 wipes |
| Flash point | −18°C (governed by acetone component) |
| Kit components | Acetone or Acetone/MEK blend + IPA 99.9% + lint-free wipes |
| Primary cleaner | Acetone (CAS 67-64-1) or Acetone/MEK blend |
| Final wipe solvent | Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% (CAS 67-63-0) |
FAQ
A two-step protocol addresses two different types of surface contamination that single-solvent cleaning cannot fully resolve. Acetone (or acetone/MEK blend) in the first step removes hydrocarbon contamination: resin residue, release wax, cutting oils, greases, and fingerprint oils. However, acetone itself can leave trace residues from impurities in the solvent, and its rapid evaporation can leave some polar or ionic contamination incompletely removed. The IPA final wipe in the second step removes polar contaminants (ionic residues, water-soluble contamination), buffs off any acetone residue, and provides a dry, clean surface with excellent wettability for resin or adhesive. Studies of adhesive bond failure analysis consistently show that two-step (acetone + IPA) surface preparation provides better and more consistent bond strength than single-step acetone alone. This two-step approach is standard in aerospace repair procedures and ISO 9001 composite quality systems.