How to Use Multex D'Limonene Degreaser & Cleaner: Trade Degreasing, Tar Removal & COSHH Compliance Guide

Industrial grease, baked-on bitumen, heavy fuel oils, and cured adhesives pose a constant challenge in transport yards, engineering machine shops, and plant depots. Traditional solvent cleaners rely on aggressive chlorinated chemicals or white spirits that emit hazardous fumes and leave oily hydrocarbon residues behind.

Multex D'Limonene Degreaser & Cleaner combines natural citrus terpene solvents with specialized water-rinsable detergents. It liquefies heavy grease and road tar on contact, then emulsifies cleanly with water to wash away without an oily film. This guide covers correct industrial application techniques, dilution and emulsification, workshop drainage rules, and essential COSHH handling protocols.

 

What Is Multex D'Limonene Degreaser?

Multex D'Limonene Degreaser & Cleaner is a trade-strength, colourless solvent blend with a fresh, sweet lemon aroma. Its formulation combines:

1.     Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillates (50–70%): Deep-penetrating hydrocarbon fractions that dissolve heavy motor grease, transit wax, and bitumen.

2.     D-Limonene Citrus Terpenes (10–30%): Naturally derived solvent extracts from citrus peel that dissolve rubber scuffs, sticky adhesive residues, and chewing gum.

3.     2-Butoxyethanol & Detergent Emulsifiers (1–10%): Coupling surfactants that enable an oil-based solvent to mix with water, forming a milky emulsion that rinses away under a hose or pressure washer.

 

⚖️ UK Statutory Regulations & Chemical Compliance (CLP vs. ADR)

Understanding regulatory classifications ensures full compliance with UK workplace safety regulations and transport rules:

·       UK CLP Workplace Classification (Hazardous to the User):

o   Eye Damage Category 1 (H318): Causes serious eye damage. Contact with eyes can cause severe pain, profuse watering, blurred vision, and permanent tissue damage.

o   Skin Irritation Category 2 (H315): Causes skin irritation and redness.

o   Skin Sensitisation Category 1 (H317): Contains D-Limonene, which may cause an allergic skin reaction upon repeated contact.

o   Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411): Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. Spills must be contained and kept out of surface water drains and open waterways.

·       UK ADR / CDG Transport Status (Non-Restricted for Shipping):

o   As stated in Section 14 of the official Safety Data Sheet: "This product does not require a classification for transport."

o   Unlike pure terpene hydrocarbons (which require UN 2319 Class 3 placards), this blended formulation has a flash point above 63°C and is not classified as flammable. It ships via standard parcel courier networks across the UK without ADR dangerous goods surcharges.

 

🏢 Common Trade Applications & Compatible Surfaces

·       Commercial Fleet & Vehicle Chassis: Removes heavy road tar, asphalt splatter, fifth-wheel grease, and dried diesel grime from undercarriages, suspension linkages, and chassis rails.

·       Plant Machinery & Agricultural Equipment: Cuts through hydraulic fluid leaks, baked gear grease, and clay-grease crust on excavators, telehandlers, and tractors.

·       Engineering Machine Shops: Degreases metal pressings, lathe beds, gearboxes, engine blocks, and machine parts before assembly or repainting.

·       Tarmac & Roofing Contractors: Cleans bitumen splatters, mastic adhesives, and asphalt residue from shovels, rakes, screeds, and paver decks.

·       Workshop Floors & Service Pits: Lifts engine oil drips and greasy tyre marks from concrete workshop bays and inspection pits.

 

🧪 Application & Mixing Matrix

Target Deposit / Surface	Application Strength	Dwell Time	Rinse / Removal Method
Heavy Bitumen, Roofing Tar & Cured Adhesives	Use NEAT (Undiluted)	3 – 10 Minutes	Agitate with stiff brush; hose off with clean water
Engine Blocks, Gearboxes & Chassis Grime	Use NEAT or 1:2 with Water	5 Minutes	Pressure-wash or hose off with water
Workshop Concrete Floors & Service Pits	1:5 to 1:10 with Water	5 – 10 Minutes	Scrub with deck brush; squeegee to interceptor drainage
Light Machine Wipe-Down & Tool Cleaning	1:20 with Water	1 – 2 Minutes	Wipe down with workshop microfiber cloth and rinse

💡 The Science of Self-Emulsification

Applying water on top of ordinary solvent degreasers creates an oily film that floats on top of the rinse water.

Multex D'Limonene is engineered with self-emulsifying surfactants. When clean water hits the solvent-treated surface, the chemical instantly turns into a milky white emulsion. This binds the dissolved grease inside microscopic water droplets, allowing oil, asphalt, and soot to rinse completely away down to a squeaky-clean, residue-free surface.

 

🛠️ Step-by-Step Professional Application Guide

1. Preparation & Surface Inspection

·       Test compatibility on sensitive substrates (such as unbaked automotive touch-up paints, acrylics, and soft rubber seals) in an inconspicuous area prior to wide-scale application.

·       Ensure adequate ventilation within the workshop bay or service area.

2. Clean Dosing with the 30ml Precision Pump

Pouring solvent directly out of heavy 5L or 25L containers causes splashes, dripping, and chemical waste.

·       Screw your 30ml Precision Dosing Pump directly onto the container neck.

·       Dispense the required number of pumps directly into your dipping tank, cleaning bucket, or solvent-resistant trigger spray bottle.

3. Apply and Allow Dwell Time

·       Spray or brush the liquid directly across the contaminated parts, tar splatters, or oily surfaces.

·       Allow 3 to 10 minutes for the D-Limonene solvents to penetrate and soften heavy grease and bitumen crust.

·       For heavy, baked-on grease, agitate the area with a stiff solvent-resistant detailing brush or parts-washing brush.

4. Water Rinse

·       Hose down the surface with clean water or use a pressure washer.

·       The product will turn milky white as it emulsifies the grime, floating the soils away cleanly.

·       Dry with a clean cloth or allow to air-dry.

 

🚨 Critical Safety, Environmental & COSHH Rules

·       Mandatory PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):

o   Eye Protection: Tightly fitting safety splash goggles are essential. Concentrated splashes can cause serious, irreversible eye damage (H318). An eyewash station should be immediately accessible.

o   Hand & Skin Protection: Wear chemical-resistant nitrile or PVC gloves and protective clothing to avoid skin irritation and potential sensitisation (H315, H317).

·       Workshop Interceptors & Environmental Protection:

o   Never rinse untreated oily washings directly into surface water drains or open rivers.

o   Commercial washing must take place on an approved wash pad connected to an oil-water interceptor or grease separator trap.

o   In case of a warehouse spill, contain the liquid using sand, earth, or commercial absorbent granules. Do not wash spillage down municipal drains.

·       Storage Protocols:

o   Store upright in original packaging in a cool, well-ventilated area.

o   Keep the container tightly sealed away from direct sunlight, open heat, and strong oxidising agents.

·       First Aid Measures:

o   Eye Contact: Bathe the eye with clean running water immediately for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Immediately call a doctor or transfer to a hospital for specialist examination.

o   Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water.

o   Ingestion: Wash mouth thoroughly with water. DO NOT induce vomiting. If conscious, give half a litre of water to drink and consult a doctor immediately.

 

🛒 Order Direct Trade Supplies & Dispensing Accessories

Stock up on Multex D'Limonene Degreaser & Cleaner in single 5L containers, value multi-packs, and 25L bulk drums:

• 👉 Order Multex D'Limonene Citrus Degreaser & Cleaner (5L & 25L Packs)
• 👉 Add a 30ml Precision Dosing Pump for Clean Measuring

Disclaimer: This guide is for trade informational purposes. Always consult the official manufacturer Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow local COSHH risk assessments prior to use[cite: 2, 3].

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Multex D'Limonene Degreaser flammable?

A: No. It has a flash point above 63°C and is not classified as flammable under CLP regulations (though it will burn if exposed to high heat or direct open flame).

Q: Why does this product turn milky white when rinsed?

A: It contains specialized emulsifying detergents that bind solvent-dissolved oils with water, creating a rinseable micro-emulsion that washes away cleanly without leaving a greasy petroleum film.

Q: Does shipping this product require ADR hazardous goods declarations?

A: No. According to Section 14 of the SDS, it does not require a transport classification and travels via standard courier networks across the UK.