Choosing a nontoxic press wash
I just bought my first press a few weeks ago, a 1916 10x12 C&P New Style. I finally got the electric motor hooked up and running and I have ordered some ink. Now I am looking at various options for press wash. I have read the discussion here and on Ladies of Letterpress for recommendations. I guess the idea here is to use something oily like Crisco at first to get most of the ink off, followed by something like a degreaser as a final cleaner, like odorless mineral spirits or Citra Solv. I really don’t want to use California Wash at all. It just strikes me as too expensive, and too much petroleum based. Am I headed in the right direction here?
Yes. When I taught at a university we used Crisco for a initial cleanup of the press (not the type!) and followed up with a second cleanup with somewhat diluted Simple Green to get the last bits of Crisco. Followed by a thorough drying of metal surfaces. This works well enough, if you object to California Wash or other petroleum products.
At home, I use California Wash; it just works better and is much faster. I put it in a spray bottle and use a lot less than most other printers.
BTW, your press is either an 8x12 or a 10x15; C&P never made a 10x12 press.
doctormap, Speedball makes a professional grade relief ink that cleans up with soap and water or traditional window cleaner. best james
I use rubbing alcohol for the metal type since it dries quickly and mineral spirits for the wood type since it conditions the wood.
I use rubbing alcohol for the metal type since it dries quickly and mineral spirits for the wood type since it conditions the wood.
Varn Products has discontinued California Wash, And that was formulated to serve the southern California market, with it stringent regulations. The replacement wash just has a number and you’ll have to visit my web site after I figure out what it is. This just happened last week.
Varn Products has discontinued California Wash, And that was formulated to serve the southern California market, with it stringent regulations. The replacement wash just has a number and you’ll have to visit my web site after I figure out what it is. This just happened last week.
For years now I’ve been using a low VOC product called Genie Safe & Easy as my main press wash. It works extremely well for me and I highly recommend it. I follow that up with a very small amount of California Wash to finish.
FWIW, I’ve been using “klean strip paint thinner”; it’s cheap, it works, and it meets the northern Cal. air quality rules. (sold at Ace hardware and other places)
Beware that some rollers don’t like Citrisolv and some poly plates don’t like alcohol.
FWIW, I’ve been using “klean strip paint thinner”; it’s cheap, it works, and it meets the northern Cal. air quality rules. (sold at Ace hardware and other places)
Beware that some rollers don’t like Citrisolv and some poly plates don’t like alcohol.