The following list provides information on the suitability of various tank cleaning chemicals for tanks coated with PPG marine tank coating systems.
The results are based on tests carried out at the PPG laboratories.
Maximum Temperature |
Concentration |
Duration |
as specified in table |
as specified in table and given as a percentage (%) |
maximum 24 hours |
The information contained in the following tables is specific to the above testing conditions. Please consult PPG if the conditions of use are outside those tested.
Resistance Information |
+ = suitable for normal cleaning procedure |
Note: when stated at 20°C, use at ambient temperatures up to 40°C is permitted.
Whilst the tank cleaning chemicals contained in this list have been tested, PPG does not advise on specific tank cleaning procedures or regimes, only on the suitability of the tank cleaning products for use with the below mentioned coating systems. For detailed advice on this subject, we recommend contacting one of the specialist companies mentioned in this list. However, all tank cleaning chemicals should be used in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.
This tank cleaning chemicals list is only valid for the intact tank coating systems as detailed in the respective system sheets mentioned below.
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Edge Heavy Duty Cleaner |
75 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
TC #4 Tankcleaner |
75 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Oil and Grease Remover |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Chemtec CTR |
60 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Chemtec CTR |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Chemtec KT-Solve |
60 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Chemtec KT-Plus |
80 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
NT |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Henkel P3-Grato 14 |
80 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+d |
+D |
Henkel P3-Grato 50 |
90 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Henkel P3-Grato 60 |
90 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Henkel P3-Grato 80 |
90 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Henkel P3-A |
50 |
1 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Henkel P3-NA |
90 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Henkel P3-FD |
100 |
15 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Henkel Grato Sol Plus + |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Henkel Grato Sol Plus + |
60 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Voyage Clean |
80 |
0.4 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Citroslove Degreaser |
80 |
20 |
+d |
+d |
+d |
- |
Bunker "C" Solvent |
25 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
3025 |
80 |
25 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+d |
Hydro Carbon Cleaner |
25 |
25 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+d |
Pler & Deck Cleaner |
25 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Exhaust Gas Cleaner |
25 |
8 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
AVO Liquid Super |
80 |
2 |
+d |
+d |
- |
+d |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Careclean Alkaline |
90 |
10 |
+d |
+d |
- |
- |
Careclean Alkaline Extra |
90 |
10 |
+d |
- |
- |
- |
Careclean Neutral HCF |
60 |
15 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Careclean Hydrocarbon Free |
5 |
75 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean HD |
80 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+d |
Careclean HD Split |
50 |
20 |
NT |
NT |
NT |
+d |
Careclean Voyage |
50 |
5 |
+d |
+d |
+d |
- |
Careclean Coal Tar |
50 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Careclean Buffer |
45 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean Buffer |
80 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean Air Fresch |
20 |
1 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+d |
Careclean GP |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean GP |
60 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean Degreaser GP |
10 |
60 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Careclean Aquawash |
20 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean Eco |
60 |
0.5 |
+ |
+ |
+d |
- |
Careclean Eco |
60 |
0.5 |
+ |
+ |
+d |
- |
Careclean Rust |
80 |
0.5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Careclean Energy Wash |
40 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Careclean Energy Wash |
80 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Careclean Multicleaner |
80 |
3 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79104 |
70 |
0.4 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79105 |
60 |
2.5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Nalfleet "Seashield" HDC 79110 |
60 |
0.5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Marclean HD |
70 |
5 |
+d |
+ |
+ |
- |
Marclean STD |
70 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Marclean SC |
60 |
2 |
+d |
+d |
+d |
- |
Marclean SC 147 |
65 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Marisol HD |
60 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Uniclean Tank |
80 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Paratrooper |
80 |
15 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tankcleaning Seperating |
80 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Bufferclean 5.5 |
60 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Uniclean HD |
80 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Seaclean |
80 |
10 |
+D |
- |
- |
+D |
Alkaclean |
85 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Waterbased Neural HCF |
80 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Coal Tar Remover |
50 |
10 |
+ |
- |
- |
NT |
Ecoclean |
80 |
4 |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
Uniclean Break |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Ecodis |
20 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Coldwash |
20 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Alkaclean Safety |
20 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Genepol |
20 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Rust Remover |
40 |
100 |
+ |
- |
- |
- |
Uniclean Drastic |
60 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+d |
Uniclean Dyeout |
60 |
2 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Seaclean |
80 |
30 |
+d |
+d |
+D |
+D |
Coldwash HD |
60 |
30 |
+d |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Cleanbreak |
80 |
30 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Alkeen Liquid |
80 |
20 |
+ |
+D |
- |
- |
Alkeen Safety Liquid |
80 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Enviroclean |
60 |
0.7 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Tankleen |
80 |
30 |
+d |
+d |
+D |
+D |
H.P. Wash |
20 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Aquabreak PX |
20 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Metal Brite HD |
20 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 (SIGMA SILGUARD MC) |
Bufferclean |
75 |
100 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Coal Tar Cleaner |
50 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Multiclean |
20 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
Tankclean at Sea |
50 |
5 |
+d |
+d |
+d |
+d |
Veclean Tank |
50 |
20 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Waterbased Alkaline HD |
95 |
10 |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
Waterbased Neutral HCF |
60 |
15 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Tankclean HCF |
5 |
75 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Tankclean Seperating |
5 |
75 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Degreaser HF |
10 |
90 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
Degreaser GP |
10 |
60 |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+D |
This list is based on laboratory tests carried out on samples supplied by the various companies. The information contained herein is given in good faith and PPG cannot be held responsible for the consequences of changes to chemical composition or pattern of use. This list supersedes all earlier issues and is subject to change without notice.
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Caustic Soda |
60 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+d |
- |
Potassium Soda |
60 |
5 |
+ |
+ |
+d |
- |
In order to avoid unnecessary damage to the tank coating, the following procedure for preparation of Caustic Soda and Potassium Soda solutions is highly recommended.
When preparing a cleaning solution with concentrated solutions of Caustic or Potassium Soda, first pump the required quantity of (sea) water into the slop tank. Add the concentrated Caustic Soda or Potassium Soda solution to the (sea) water to give the required concentration (maximum concentration is 5%). Heat the solution under circulation to the required temperature (maximum 60°C) for cleaning. The maximum time that the solution is allowed in the tank at 60°C is 24 hours.
When preparing a cleaning solution using Caustic or Potassium Soda pellets, first pump the required quantity of sea water into the slop tank. Add the required quantity of pellets of Caustic Soda or Potassium Soda to the (sea) water in the tank (maximum concentration is 5%). After the pellets have dissolved, the solution can be heated up under circulation to the required temperature (maximum 60°C). The maximum time that the solution is allowed in the tank at maximum 60°C is 24 hours.
It is highly recommended to prepare this solution in this way in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the tank coating through uncontrolled temperature and concentration fluctuations and to confine the preparation of these cleaning solutions to the slop tanks to avoid possible damage to the cargo tanks.
Notes:
Tank Cleaning Chemical |
Temp °C |
Maximum Concentration |
PPG PHENGUARD series |
PPG NOVAGUARD 840 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 720 |
PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 |
Butyl Cellosolve |
60 |
10 |
+ |
- |
- |
+ |
Butyl Cellosolve |
60 |
20 |
+ |
- |
- |
+ |
Butyl Cellosolve |
60 |
50 |
+ |
- |
- |
+ |
A solution of 10%, 20% or 50% Butyl Cellosolve (Ethylene Glycol Mono Butyl Ether) in fresh water can be used as a cleaning agent for cargo tanks with PPG PHENGUARD series or PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 that have carried vegetable oils.
The maximum time that the solution is allowed in a tank at 60°C coated with PPG PHENGUARD series is 4 hours. This should only be used when absolutely necessary.
The maximum time that the solution is allowed in a tank at 60°C coated with PPG SIGMAGUARD 750 is 24 hours.