FAQ

What solvents are available in pre-saturated wipes?
A huge range of solvents are available in pre-saturated wipes.
- Generic solvents: Acetone, IPA, MEK, MPK & Toluene.
- SOCOMORE blended/ proprietary solvents: DIESTONE DLS, DIESTONE HFP, DIESTONE SR, DS-108 or Sococlean A2501.

Are pre-saturated wipes classified as hazardous waste?
Yes, if they have been used to clean a surface. If so, internal hazardous waste disposal procedures should be followed. If the pre-saturated wipe has not been used, traditional waste disposal procedures can be followed as it is not considered hazardous waste.

Are gloves and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) required when using pre-saturated wipes?
Yes. A standard nitrile glove can be used with generic solvents and SOCOMORE’s solvent pre-saturated wipes. It is recommended to refer to the safety data sheet (SDS) of the pre-saturing solvent for PPE requirements.

Is there ventilation and/or respirators required when using pre-saturated wipes?
There should be sufficient airflow in the area of work to prevent fumes building up. Special precautions should be taken if working in confined areas such as aircraft interiors, cabins, fuel tanks, etc.

Why is there a film on the surface after using products such as DIESTONE DLS, DIESTONE HFP, DIESTONE MSK or DS-108?
These solvents have a high flash point and therefore take longer to evaporate than low flash point products such as MEK or MPK. However, as they remain on the surface for longer they bring more contaminants to the surface which can easily be removed with a dry wipe, allowing for more effective surface preparation.

Is it necessary to wipe off with a dry wipe after using pre-saturated wipes?
Yes, it is always recommended to wipe off using a dry wipe such as SONTARA to effectively remove contaminants dislodged by the solvent from the surface.

What are the advantages of pre-saturated wipes over rags manually saturated with traditional solvents?
- Reduction in insurance costs: Solvent pre-saturated wipes do not require flammable storage, unlike bulk liquids.
- Reduction in waste: 80% (approximately) waste saving compared to rags saturated with bulk liquids. One study showed that 15,000 compacted single pre-saturated wipes will fit into one drum.
- EH&S (Environmental, Health & Safety) Improvement: Substantial reduction in VOC emissions in comparison with bulk liquids.

Are there more pre-saturated wipes than rags consumed?
No. There is a substantial amount of solvent wasted when rags are saturated manually due to over saturation and early flash off. Pre-saturated wipes are pre-saturated with a measured amount of solvent to maximize efficiency. Pre-saturated wipes cover a much larger surface area than manually saturated rags.

Are pre-saturated wipes more expensive to use than bulk solvents?
No. Due to solvent evaporation from both a bulk liquid drum and manually saturated rag, 18 6” x 9” pre-saturated wipes will clean approximately the same surface area as a 55 gallon drum of acetone, MEK or MPK, etc.

Are the cloths used in pre-saturated wipes approved?
Some cloths are, depending on the industry of use and customer requirements.

Should the pre-saturated wipes be removed from the foil pouch?
Do not remove the wipes from the foil pouch. Place the pouch in the dispensing canister. Always close the canister lid when not in use to prevent the wipes from drying out.

How often does the dispensing canister need to be changed?
Immediately if the lid does not seal properly. Otherwise, every 3 to 5 years.

Does the plastic canister need to be labelled?
Follow internal requirements and labelling procedures.

Do all immersion paint removers need to be heated?
No. Some liquid paint strippers such as SOCOSTRIP A4512 and COMORCAP T4551 can be used at room temperature. Others such as SOCOSTRIP A4554 and KEMSTRIP 600 are heated.

Why does a heated paint stripping immersion tank have an oil seal on the surface?
To prevent solvent evaporation.

Is it necessary to use the whole drum of a heated immersion paint remover?
Yes, to ensure a proper oil seal will form on the surface.

Is the oil seal available to purchase separately?
Yes. OIS 96 can be purchased separately.

What environmental controls are required when operating a paint stripping tank?
The post stripping water rinse tank needs to be far enough away from the heated immersion tank to avoid contamination. Magnesium alloy can be corroded by water.

How deep should parts be immersed in the tank?
Parts need to have an 8 inch minimum clearance from the tank bottom so as not to come into contact with the paint flakes that accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Contact with the paint flakes will impact on the efficiency of the stripping process.

Do heating coils need to be placed in specific spots in the tank, or can they be placed anywhere?
Heating coils need to be placed on the sides of the tank. Do not place them on the bottom of the tank or the paint flakes will accumulate over them, which will have a negative impact on the efficiency of the stripping process.

Is it better to use a heated or room temperature paint stripper?
Room temperature paint strippers are normally used in manufacturing due to safety concerns. However, heated paint strippers are more efficient paint removers.

How often does the paint stripping tank need to be changed?
Until it no longer strips paint effectively. Degradation takes place over time and will happen slowly at first, and then rapidly.

Is SOCOMORE’s engine product range approved?
Yes, our engine product range is approved by CFMI, GE, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce and SAFRAN Helicopter Engines (formerly Turbomeca).

What are Magchem products used for?
Magchem is the brand name of SOCOMORE’s engine range. Products include cleaners, degreasers, deoxidizers and rust removers, etc.

Why do you offer two different degreasers?
SOLUWAX is specifically for immersion use, to emulsify oils and grease.
DG KLEEN is designed for spray wash cabinets which send the oil and grease removed to the surface where they can be removed by the oil skimmer.

How many tanks are required for HDL-73W?
Only one tank is required. The standard process has 4 stages: alkaline dip, acid dip, permanganate, and then a finish using phosphoric or alkaline acid. HDL-73W combines the alkaline and acid dip stage, making it a 3 stage process instead of 4.

Is HDL-202 suitable for use with ultrasonics?
HDL-202 can be used with ultrasonics. The limits are defined in the SPM (Standard Practice Manual).

Does WADIS 24/60 need to be heated?
WADIS 24/60 is used at room temperature, so heating is not required.

Are DIESTONE DLS and DIESTONE MSK available in pre-saturated wipes as well as liquid?
Yes. There are two different cloth options: SOCOSAT 15233 and SATWIPES C86.

How do I monitor the line tanks?
SOCOMORE will provide a tank monitoring procedure for each product we supply.

How will I know when the D-SOLV tank needs to be changed?
D-SOLV can still operate efficiently with a high wax content (>40%). SOCOMORE will supply a tank monitoring procedure which can be used to calculate the percentage of wax contained in the tank.

Why does a heated paint stripping immersion tank have an oil seal on the surface?
To prevent solvent evaporation.

Is the oil seal available to purchase separately?
Yes. OIS 96 can be purchased separately.

What is the best concentration to use?
5-20%, depending on the intended use.

When is a 5% concentration used?
For general aircraft cleaning (appearance).

When is a 20% concentration used?
To remove carbon deposits such as jet blast or the accumulation of Skydrol from underneath the airframe.

How is the product applied to the exterior of an aircraft?
Using an airless or HVLP (recommended) spray application system. It can also be applied using a brush.

Is it necessary to rinse with water after application?
Yes, preferably using hot water (55°C).

What is the recommended concentration if using SYNCLAIR A/C in a bath?
10% concentration is recommended for immersion. Higher than this can create a silicate crust on the surface.

What is the best concentration to use?
SYNCLAIR A2 Gel is used neat, no mixing required.

Where can SYNCLAIR A2 Gel be applied?
Wheels, brakes, landing gear, under wing and other exceptionally dirty areas. As it is a gel, it can also be applied to vertical surfaces.

Can SYNCLAIR A2 Gel be used in the cargo area?
Yes, this is an excellent use for this product.

Is it necessary to rinse with water after application?
Yes, preferably using hot water (55°C).

How is the product applied to the exterior of an aircraft?
Using an airless or HVLP (recommended) spray application system. It can also be applied using a brush.

Can these products be used in aircraft cabin interiors?
No. They are only designed for exterior use, not interior.

Being ourselves "dowstream users", we are unable to answer specific requests (questionnaires, certificates or statements, etc...) that are outside the strict legal framework of our duties as defined by the Regulations.
1) With regard to the products we deliver:
We are not ourselves manufacturers of substances, but we communicate all the necessary information to our suppliers of substances so that they can proceed with the pre-registrations and registrations for all the uses we listed.
The substances contained in our products are at present either:
a) Preregistered under the article 23 of the regulation. (the "preregistration" numbers are not available, only the registration numbers will be gradually integrated when the safety data sheets are updated)
b) Exempted under the article 2 (polymer, annexes IV and V, etc...) or article 6 (substance < 1 ton/ year introduced on the market, by the manufacturer or importer)
c) Considered as registered, article 15 (biocidal substances) or article 24 (substances notified ELINCS)

All the products we put on the market comply with REACH regulation
2) With regard to the substances called "Substances of Very High Concern" subject to authorization (Title IV, article 33, Title VII and annexe XIV):

The products we provide do not contain any substance from the "candidate list" drawn up by the ECHA.
3) SOCOMORE's responsibilities towards its customers (article 31 of the regulation),
We fulfil our responsibilities and obligations towards our customers by sending them the safety data sheets with the updates resulting from the registrations (particularly the registration numbers, § 9 of article 31), and if necessary the exposure scenarios.
Of course these updates will occur as soon as we receive them ourselves from the manufacturers of substances during the transitional period between 2009 and 2018, as scheduled by the article 23 of the regulation. They will be transmitted to our customers in accordance with the article 31 of the regulation.

IMPORTANT: These safety data sheets represent our written commitment to our customers regarding REACH regulation to the exclusion of all other document (cf regulation, title IV : "information within the supply chain").

For confidentiality and traceability, Socomore does not put MSDS online. They are on a secure extranet. To access, simply click on the ‘access secure extranet’ link that can be found on each product page.