Most of us keep solvents around for a variety of shop purposes. Probably most common are to dilute other solutions and to dissolve other materials. If one does not work, we can try a different one. But some information about solvent properties can help us select an appropriate solvent for the task at hand. Most importantly, solvents dissolve substances that have similar polarities. Other properties such as vapor pressure and purity can also be important.
Below is a list of more common shop and household solvents arranged in order of increasing polarity. If a nonpolar one at the top of the list does not work, try one near the bottom and vice versa.
Naphtha, paint thinner, mineral spirits
Toluene, xylenes
Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
Turpentine (a mixture of many materials)
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
Acetone (finger nail polish remover)
Ethanol (denatured alcohol)
Water
Acids and bases in water (vinegar and ammonia)
Soaps and detergents are both polar and nonpolar. Liquid versions are generally water-based solutions that can contain many other substances.
Solvent paint removers are mixtures of chemicals such as toluene, xylenes and methyl ethyl ketone. They no longer contain methylene chloride. They work by swelling the hardened finish and loosening the bonds to the substrate, e.g. wood.
Most store brand solvents are technical grade and contain impurities so their properties differ from pure solvents.
Please share your experiences with different solvents for various uses such as horror stories about washing your hands with gasoline.