I found out about it back in 1966 when I got my first employment as a graphics/technical artist with Battelle Labs using it to remove wax residue from burnished-on printed paper callouts on technical drawings. Also working in their technical model shop, I used it to de-grease just about anything that was going to be painted...both plastics & metal.
Since then, there's always been a quart sized metal can of it on my workbench for de-greasing/de-waxing parts before gluing or painting.
I use it for de-greasing/de-waxing models that have been painted and decaled, but not yet sealed. In my years of experience with it, it doesn't affect the painted surface nor the decals, but takes the grease & wax right off.
It's also great for removing stick-on price tags & labels and cleaning up any residue on either cardboard or plastic product boxes.
I use it for de-greasing/de-waxing plastic or metal surfaces that I need to glue.
I use it for de-greasing/de-waxing critical parts that I am going to solder together.
It's great stuff.
I discovered it worked excellently for removing the leftover wax support for Shapeways 3D prints when I got my first set of Panamint Models "Q" trucks in the mail from Shapeways.
But, I don't use it for removing or cleaning un-cured UV 3D resins from my own 3D printing. I use 91% or 99% IPA exclusively for that.
There were a few years where "Bestine" stopped being available, so I found "Beacon Solvent & Thinner" from Beacon Adhesives, which is the same stuff (N-Heptane) as Bestine.
Bestine is available at Blick art supplies and Beacon at Michaels...or you can find N-Heptane at your local chemistry supply store, all for around $24.00 a quart.
Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore
