Best Press Wash?

[ScreenPrinter123]

So yesterday a lot of press wash was used to clean off some screens and the whole office stunk. We currently use sericol's xtend press wash. Changing that this week - done gagging - no idea why we haven't switched before now other than that the current press wash probably killed enough brain cells to not realize we should've switched sooner. 

I see easiway 842 seems to have 0 smell to it and the 2 videos I've seen of people using it are dipping their hands in it like its as harmful as water. What is the best press wash you've used with regard to (1) no smell (2) effective in cleaning ink and (3) being dry in seconds so as to be able to re-tape screens pretty much immediately?  I see cci has a bunch available, but like with their water resistant emulsions, all of the options are making my head spin.

Thanks.

[Frog]

I use CG-2 from CCI

I can't say that it smells great, but it doesn't knock me out when I do a half dozen screens.
btw, I wear gloves.

[Gilligan]

Maybe too harsh but they have a 107 that is their rip off of 701 but cheaper... supposed to be pretty good.  I know we like 701 but we don't use it as a press wash... what was my point again?

[Binkspot]

I really like the Saati PW-4. The only down fall is if it is not used properly it will leave a oily residue. We have gone from about 6 cans of the aerosol to one quart of the PW4 over 3 months. It has a mild citrus smell and haven't noticed it drying my hands out.

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I've never printed in anyone's shop but my own and I am self taught, so I have some odd gaps and holes in my education.  And terminology is still a problem.

What IS PRESS WASH?  (I shouldn't be embarrassed to ask that, but I am.)  And how do you use it?

I sometimes do color changes on press, if registration is TIGHT and going to be an issue. For that unpleasant task I use Solvex 8 from CCI....if that is the topic of the thread.
     (It is hard on my stencils and I wish there were a better choice)

If I find a pinhole that is too close to the image area to tape, but doable with fingernail polish.... and need to "wash" the stencil  a bit to make it stick, I'll card the ink off locally, wipe the squeegee side with paper towels VIGOROUSLY until almost perfectly clean, then rub the spot with a Q-Tip moistened with lacquer thinner on the underside of the stencil while still on press.  Self taught, effective and odd.

Is that what we're talking about here?  I sometimes do color changes on press with waterbased discharge.  For that, I card off, spray water and wipe off, then Formula 409 to finish.

For years, I've heard this term "Presswash" bantied about at shows and on the forums, but I've never screwed up enough courage to ask anybody.  After all as a rule, I NEVER want to have to wash anything on press.

[Printficient]

Xenon Plastiwash

[ScreenPrinter123]

... what was my point again?

You'd have to find a dolphin to ask.

[Gilligan]

... what was my point again?

You'd have to find a dolphin to ask.

I can't seem to find one that can be bothered with my petty human problems to ask.  They all seem to laugh and swim away and have fun... maybe the do have something figured out.

[whitewater]

pw-4 all the way!

[GaryG]

What IS PRESS WASH?

It is like ink degradent you use when reclaiming screens, but
it -evaporates faster- so you can get back to printing quicker!

Good for ink changes within the same job set-up on press~

[ScreenFoo]

I'm a fan of 842.  701 sets off my sinuses for some reason.

Wouldn't touch any of that crap without gloves though--seems like a step or two past just 'false' advertising...

[Frog]

I have to say though that "dry in seconds" may be pushing it with the plastisol press wahes I have seen and used. (I guess it all depends how many seconds you mean)

Heck, even when we used all harsh chemicals, paint thinner was slow compared to lacquer thinner which took longer than acetone. (Actually, the really hot solvents added the risk of leaving some ink somewhat locked in as they evaporated)

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

What IS PRESS WASH?

It is like ink degradent you use when reclaiming screens, but
it -evaporates faster- so you can get back to printing quicker!

Good for ink changes within the same job set-up on press~

Thanks.  Then I guess I've never really used any except Solvex 8 for color changes, on-press, which always makes me think I'm going to look down and see open mesh after drying. I think I'll call Sonny and see what he says.  I've used some of the Xenon stuff, just not their presswash.

[screenprintguy]

we use WD-40, Rich Hoffman recommended it to me about 5 years ago over any of the press washes out there. Gotta say, he knows what he's talking about. Any spray glue, if you use it, breaks down instantly, all gunk and dust wipes right off. And then it leaves a slight residue behind that any air borne crap sticks to for the next and easier wipedown. Been using WD ever since. Plus, it won't remove any printed logos, or manufacture markings on controls and such, prevents rust, and is dirt cheap when buying by the gallons too.

[Frog]

we use WD-40, Rich Hoffman recommended it to me about 5 years ago over any of the press washes out there. Gotta say, he knows what he's talking about. Any spray glue, if you use it, breaks down instantly, all gunk and dust wipes right off. And then it leaves a slight residue behind that any air borne crap sticks to for the next and easier wipedown. Been using WD ever since. Plus, it won't remove any printed logos, or manufacture markings on controls and such, prevents rust, and is dirt cheap when buying by the gallons too.

The OP is not looking to clean a press, but rather to clean screens on the press.