Descrizione
POLAR RESCUE Non-volatile green aqueous acetal-based solution for the removal of natural varnishes from cultural heritage surfaces
What it is Polar Rescue is a 100% green, non-volatile aqueous solution based on acetals, designed for the selective removal of aged natural varnishes — including shellac, dammar, and mastic — from painted and decorative surfaces. Its water-based formulation eliminates VOC emissions during use, providing a safer working environment for conservators while maintaining high cleaning efficacy on polar and moderately polar coatings.
Why it matters Traditional removal of natural varnishes relies heavily on volatile polar solvents such as ethanol, acetone, or solvent blends that expose operators to significant VOC levels and present fire hazards. Polar Rescue offers a paradigm shift: through a carefully balanced acetal/water system, it delivers targeted solvency on natural resins with zero volatility, no harmful vapours, and a drastically reduced environmental footprint. Validated by YoCoCu APS through dedicated conservation trials.
Key features
- Zero volatility — no VOC emissions during use
- Aqueous acetal-based formulation — no harmful organic vapours
- Effective on aged natural varnishes (shellac, dammar, mastic)
- Safe for operators — dramatically improved risk profile vs ethanol/acetone
- Compatible with gel and poultice support systems
- No time pressure during application due to zero evaporation rate
- Validated by YOCOCU APS on professional conservation sites
How it works Polar Rescue exploits the polar solvency of acetals in aqueous medium to selectively dissolve and mobilise aged natural resin coatings. The non-volatile nature of the system allows extended contact time without evaporation, giving the conservator full control over the cleaning action. The aqueous phase ensures excellent surface wettability and facilitates residue removal with a clean cotton swab.
Applications
- Removal of aged shellac coatings from painted and gilded surfaces
- Removal of aged dammar and mastic varnishes from easel paintings
- Cleaning of oxidised natural resin layers from decorative surfaces
- Removal of polar and moderately polar organic residues
How to use Shake before use. Apply with a cotton swab using gentle circular movements. Due to zero volatility, carefully control the amount of product applied to the surface. Remove dissolved varnish with a clean dry cotton swab. For gel-supported application, Polar Rescue is compatible with both physical hydrogels (agar, gellan gum) and chemical gels (Carbopol, Pemulen). Always perform a preliminary test on an inconspicuous area. Exercise caution on water-sensitive surfaces (lean tempera, unprotected watercolours, water-soluble media).
Technical specifications
- Composition: aqueous solution of acetals (proprietary green formulation)
- Physical state: liquid
- Colour: colourless
- Odour: odourless
- Volatility: zero
- Target: aged natural varnishes (polar/moderately polar coatings)
- Article number: 07
Safety & compliance Consult the Safety Data Sheet for full information. Standard precautions: safety goggles, nitrile gloves, adequate ventilation.
Full SDS available for download.
Recensioni
Ancora non ci sono recensioni.