Industrial Degreaser is a solvent-based, heavy-duty cleaner that dissolves petroleum grease, engine oil and workshop grime on metal and concrete, then rinses off with water — and it is the first step in preparing those surfaces for paint. Rhinoluxe Industrial Degreaser comes in 5 L and 20 L. This guide explains what it is, where it beats a water-based cleaner, and how to use it safely. For the full cleaner range, see the degreaser guide.
What is an industrial degreaser?
An industrial degreaser is a strong solvent-based cleaner formulated to dissolve heavy petroleum oils, grease and machine contamination that water-based cleaners cannot shift. Industrial Degreaser uses a hydrocarbon solvent blend that breaks the bond between oil and the surface, reaching grease trapped in the pores of steel and concrete. It is non-drying, so it keeps working on stubborn deposits rather than flashing off, and it rinses away cleanly with water. It suits workshops, factories, farms and any job where oil and grime have built up on hard surfaces.
What can you use it on?
Use Industrial Degreaser on mild steel, galvanised metal, concrete, masonry, machinery, engines and workshop floors — any hard, solvent-resistant surface carrying oil or grease. It is the right choice for removing the mill oils on new galvanised steel before painting, cutting engine and hydraulic oil off machinery, and lifting grease off a concrete workshop floor. Industrial Degreaser also cleans paint brushes and rollers after an oil-based or enamel job. Avoid it on plastics, rubber and painted surfaces you want to keep, since the solvent can attack them.
Solvent degreaser versus water-based cleaner
A solvent degreaser dissolves oil directly, while a water-based cleaner lifts and emulsifies it — so for heavy petroleum grease before coating, the solvent wins. Water-based cleaners like All-Rite are safer, biodegradable and ideal for general and food-area cleaning, and All-Rite Heavy Duty Degreaser handles a lot of everyday grime. But when a surface is going to be primed and painted, the solvent power of Industrial Degreaser reaches into the profile of steel and concrete and removes the last of the oil that would otherwise cause the coating to lift.
How do you use Industrial Degreaser?
Apply it undiluted, scrub with a stiff brush, give heavy grease a few minutes of contact time, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Work in a well-ventilated area and use a hard-bristle brush rather than a soft paint brush, because mechanical agitation is what breaks the grease loose. On baked-on or thick deposits, let Industrial Degreaser sit for two to five minutes so the solvent can work, then agitate again and rinse with plenty of water. Repeat on any area that is still greasy. Let the surface dry fully before priming.
How do you confirm the surface is clean?
Use the water-break-free test: wet the degreased surface with clean water and watch how it behaves — an even, unbroken sheet means it is grease-free and ready to coat. If the water pulls back into beads or breaks into patches, oily contamination is still present and you repeat the clean. This check follows the ASTM F22 water-break principle used in industrial coating work and takes the guesswork out of prep. It is the single most reliable way to know a degreased steel or concrete surface will actually hold paint.
Where does it fit in surface preparation?
Degreasing is the first step in the Rhinoluxe prep sequence: degrease, then remove rust or repair defects, then prime, then topcoat. On metal, Industrial Degreaser comes before rust treatment and a metal primer; on concrete it comes before etching and coating. Skipping the degrease is the most common reason coatings fail, because primer applied over oil has nothing sound to grip. See the surface preparation guide for the full order of work on each surface.
How much Industrial Degreaser do you need?
Coverage depends on how greasy and porous the surface is, so match the pack size to the job: a 5 L for a workshop bench or a set of machine parts, a 20 L for large floors and industrial use. Because it is applied undiluted on heavy grease, porous concrete and thickly oiled surfaces drink far more product on the first pass than smooth steel does. It is worth over-estimating rather than running out mid-job, since a half-cleaned surface gives an uneven result that shows up when you paint. Since Industrial Degreaser also cleans brushes and rollers, a larger container earns its keep in a busy workshop. Store it sealed and cool between uses so the solvent does not evaporate.
Is it safe to use?
Industrial Degreaser is solvent-based and flammable, so it needs ventilation, protective gloves and goggles, and complete separation from any source of ignition. Keep it away from welding, grinding, open flames and smoking, never apply it to hot surfaces, and store it sealed and cool. Where low toxicity or food-area safety matters, choose water-based All-Rite instead. Always read the Safety Data Sheet before use for full handling, first-aid and storage guidance.
Sizes and where to buy
Industrial Degreaser is available in 5 L and 20 L, with national delivery across South Africa. Visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg, or call +27 84 985 6141 for trade pricing and advice. For general and eco-friendly cleaning, see All-Rite Multi-Purpose Cleaner.
