How Do I Clean Up Cured and Uncured Materials?

What solvent should I use for uncured materials?

The best solvent depends on the material you're working with:

Always test any solvent on an inconspicuous area before cleaning a valuable surface. Solvents may damage some plastics, painted surfaces, modeling materials, or coatings.

How do I clean uncured silicone rubber?

Silicone rubber is usually easy to remove from smooth, non-porous surfaces.

1. Wipe away as much liquid silicone as possible.
2. Clean remaining residue using 99% isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits.
3. Repeat until the surface is clean.

Silicone can penetrate porous materials such as unfinished wood, fabric, concrete, and stone. Cleanup should be performed before the silicone cures.

How do I clean uncured urethane rubber?

Clean spills immediately.

1. Remove excess liquid material.
2. Wipe the surface with acetone, mineral spirits, or isopropyl alcohol.
3. Continue wiping until all residue is removed.

Because urethane rubber is highly adhesive, cured material can be extremely difficult to remove from most surfaces.

How do I clean uncured urethane casting resin?

For products such as Smooth-Cast®, TASK™, and Crystal Clear™ resins:

1. Remove as much liquid resin as possible.
2. Clean residue using acetone for fastest removal.
3. Mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol may also be used.
4. Allow solvent to evaporate completely before casting or molding again.

Once cured, urethane resin typically requires scraping, sanding, or grinding for removal.

How do I clean uncured epoxy resin?

For products such as EpoxAcoat™, EpoxAmite™, and EpoxAcast™:

1. Scrape away excess resin.
2. Clean residue using:
   • E-POX-EE KLEENER®
   • Acetone
   • Alcohol
   • Lacquer thinner
3. Follow all solvent safety precautions and provide adequate ventilation.

Epoxy becomes progressively harder to remove as it cures.

How do I clean expanding foam products?

Foam products should be cleaned immediately.

Acetone is generally the most effective solvent for cleaning uncured expanding foam from tools and work surfaces.

Once foam begins expanding and curing, mechanical removal is usually required.

Are there solvents I should avoid?

Some cleaners may leave residues that interfere with future mold making or casting operations.

Avoid:

• Citrus cleaners (d-limonene)
• Turpentine
• Oily household cleaners
• Solvents that leave a visible residue

Residues can sometimes inhibit the cure of silicone rubber and other materials.

How do I remove cured materials?

Once fully cured, solvents are generally ineffective.

Removal methods include:

• Scraping
• Peeling (cured silicone)
• Cutting
• Chiseling
• Sanding
• Grinding

The easiest cleanup is always performed before the material cures.

Can I clean material from my skin?

Yes, but act quickly.

1. Remove excess liquid material immediately.
2. Wipe the affected area with mineral spirits or acetone using a soft cloth.
3. Wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Do not use solvents on broken or irritated skin. Review the SDS for the specific product before use.

What's the best cleanup procedure overall?

For nearly all Smooth-On materials:

1. Remove as much material as possible while still liquid.
2. Use the solvent appropriate for the chemistry.
3. Allow the solvent to evaporate completely.
4. Dispose of contaminated rags and cleanup materials according to local regulations.

A spill cleaned within minutes can often be removed completely. The same spill left to cure may require scraping, sanding, or permanent surface repair.

This article is offered as a general guide for cleanup and handling procedures. No warranty is expressed or implied, and it is the responsibility of the end user to determine the suitability of any product, solvent, or procedure for a specific application. Always read and follow the Technical Bulletin, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and all manufacturer safety instructions before use. Test solvents on an inconspicuous area before application, as some substrates may be damaged by cleaning agents.