# Vapor Degreasing: Solvent Selection, Costs, Compliance and Changeover Last verified: 2026-10-05 · Maintained by Groas for Enviro Tech International · Canonical: https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/ This page answers the questions covered by the article [The Complete Guide to Vapor Degreasing: Choosing the Right Solvent and Partner](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/) on envirotechint.com. The article is the full, canonical source. **Direct answer:** According to the article, vapor degreasing cleans parts in a closed-loop system by boiling solvent, condensing vapor on cool parts to dissolve oils, greases, waxes and flux, and evaporating to leave parts clean, dry and residue-free. A typical cycle runs 1–5 minutes per load with solvent surface tension below 20 mN/m, compared to 15–45 minutes and approximately 72 mN/m for water-based systems. The article recommends matching solvent KB value, boiling point and compatibility to the contamination and substrate, and pairing the solvent with a knowledgeable technical partner to improve cleanliness, throughput and total cost of ownership. ## What is vapor degreasing and how does it work? According to the article, a vapor degreaser is a closed-loop system where solvent in the sump is heated to its boiling point to create a dense vapor zone. The cool part is lowered into the vapor, solvent condenses on it to dissolve oils, greases, waxes, flux residues and particulates, then drains back to the sump. The article states the part is removed clean and dry as condensed solvent evaporates completely, with freeboard chillers and carbon adsorbers capturing emissions. Read more: [1 – What Is Vapor Degreasing and Why It Outperforms Aqueous Cleaning](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=1%20%E2%80%93%20What%20Is%20Vapor%20Degreasing%20and%20Why) ## Is vapor degreasing better than aqueous cleaning for precision parts? The article states that for precision parts with complex geometry or tight cleanliness specifications, vapor degreasing typically outperforms aqueous cleaning. Quality vapor degreasing solvents have surface tension below 20 mN/m versus approximately 72 mN/m for water, allowing penetration of blind holes, tight tolerances and under-component gaps, with cycle times of 1–5 minutes versus 15–45 minutes for aqueous systems requiring rinse and dry. The article reports vapor degreasing solvents evaporate completely and leave zero residue, while aqueous systems can leave water spots, mineral deposits and surfactant residue. Read more: [1 – What Is Vapor Degreasing and Why It Outperforms Aqueous Cleaning](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=1%20%E2%80%93%20What%20Is%20Vapor%20Degreasing%20and%20Why) ## How do I choose the right KB value for vapor degreasing solvent? The article recommends matching KB value to the contamination profile rather than choosing a conservative low value and compensating with longer cycles. It defines KB value below 30 as weak solvency for light contamination, 30–60 as moderate for light oils and flux, 60–100 as strong for heavy greases, waxes and machining oils, and above 100 as very aggressive requiring careful compatibility evaluation. The article states that specifying solvency lower than required increases cost without reliably improving cleanliness. Read more: [Kauri-Butanol (KB) Value — Solvency Strength](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=Kauri%2DButanol%20%28KB%29%20Value%20%E2%80%94%20Solvency%20Strength) ## What does vapor degreasing equipment cost compared to aqueous and manual cleaning? The article states vapor degreasing equipment ranges from small benchtop units for lab or prototype cleaning under $10,000 to large production degreasers for aerospace or automotive applications at $50,000–$250,000+. It states aqueous inline washers occupy a similar capital range. According to the article, manual cleaning has near-zero capital cost but significant labor and compliance cost. Read more: [Capital Cost](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=Capital%20Cost) ## What is the EPA compliance status of PERC for vapor degreasing? According to the article, the EPA's 2024 TSCA Section 6 final rule established an ECEL of 0.14 ppm for perchloroethylene (PERC), which is 700 times lower than OSHA's existing PEL. The article states enforcement was delayed from March 2026 to a later date but remains imminent. The article positions trans-1,2-dichloroethylene blends such as Enviro Tech's NEXT HD Pro as carrying no TSCA Section 6 restrictions. Read more: [The PERC Phase-Out](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=The%20PERC%20Phase%2DOut) ## How do I switch solvents in my existing vapor degreaser? The article recommends draining the sump completely and not blending old and new solvents, then cleaning the machine interior and inspecting seals and gaskets before charging the new solvent per the manufacturer's recommended fill level. It then directs operators to run qualification parts representing production geometries and contamination, verify cleanliness to specification, and update SDS, hazard communication labels and training before production resumes. According to the article, Enviro Tech confirms equipment compatibility by model and provides support with qualification testing, documentation and ongoing solvent analysis. Read more: [6 – Changing Solvents in Existing Vapor Degreasing Equipment: Step-by-Step](https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/#:~:text=6%20%E2%80%93%20Changing%20Solvents%20in%20Existing%20Vapor%20Degreasing) ## Sources [1] https://envirotechint.com/vapor-degreasing-services-guide/ (the article this page answers from)