Collection: Solvent Recyclers

A solvent recycler — also called a solvent saver or solvent distillation unit — is a dedicated industrial machine that separates clean solvent from paint sludge, dirt, and residue through low-temperature distillation. Used solvent goes in, clean reclaimed solvent comes back out for reuse. A typical shop reclaims 60-85% of its solvent volume, cutting virgin solvent purchase costs, slashing hazardous waste disposal fees, and reducing operator VOC exposure. Payback on a solvent recycler is typically 12-18 months for a mid-sized paint or coatings shop. This page shows every industrial solvent recycler PSE stocks — from Becca Solvent Saver (3-gallon SC and 6-gallon HC) to the full Uni-Ram URS-series (5-gallon URS500/600/900, 6.6-gallon all-stainless, and 20-gallon URS2000SS), plus all-in-one combo systems that pair a recycler with a spray gun cleaner. Ships direct from each manufacturer. Call (888) 714-1410 or text (833) 670-5756 for sizing help or volume pricing.

Why buy Solvent Recyclers from Pittsburgh Spray Equipment

• Authorized dealer for Becca and Uni-Ram — full lineup, factory warranty, factory-direct pricing.
• Direct-from-manufacturer freight — recyclers ship LTL from Becca's Portland, OR facility or Uni-Ram's warehouse in 1-3 weeks. Expedited when your production timing demands it.
• Financing available — 6/12/24-month terms on recyclers over $2,500 through our finance partner. Application takes 60 seconds.
• Solvent-savings calculators — call us and we'll walk through your current spend to size the right recycler. Undersizing wastes payback; oversizing wastes capital.
• Complete solution — pair any recycler with an automatic paint gun washer for the full closed-loop solvent workflow. Combo units on this page bundle both in one machine.
• Since 1944 — 80 years specifying industrial paint and coatings equipment for auto body, furniture, marine, coatings manufacturers, and general industry.

What a solvent recycler actually saves your shop

The math on solvent reclamation is compelling. A typical mid-sized paint shop that consumes 40 gallons/month of virgin solvent at $20/gallon:

• Solvent purchase reduction: Reclaiming 70% of solvent volume means you now buy only 12 gallons/month of makeup solvent instead of 40. Savings: $560/month, $6,720/year.
• Hazardous waste disposal reduction: 40 gallons/month of used solvent becomes ~$150/month in hazardous waste disposal fees. Reclaim it and you now dispose of only the 30% concentrated sludge, cutting fees to ~$45/month. Savings: $105/month, $1,260/year.
• Hazardous waste generator status: A shop that generates < 220 lbs/month of hazardous waste qualifies as a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) under EPA rules — dramatically simpler reporting and lower compliance overhead. A recycler often pushes a shop from Small Quantity Generator (SQG) to CESQG status.
• Total year-one savings: ~$8,000 for the shop above. Payback on a $10,000 Becca SC or Uni-Ram URS500 recycler: ~14 months.

Buying guide — capacity matches your solvent volume

Recycler only vs. Recycler + Spray Gun Cleaner combo — which do you need?

Both configurations do the same solvent reclamation job. Choose based on whether you already have a spray gun washer or not.

• Recycler only — you already have a Becca, Herkules, or Uni-Ram spray gun cleaner and just need the recycler to reclaim its solvent. These bolt directly to your existing cleaner via a transfer pump. Best pick if your gun-cleaning station is already sized correctly for your shop.
• Recycler + Spray Gun Cleaner combo (all-in-one) — one machine cleans your guns AND recycles the solvent, in a single footprint. Best pick for shops that don't yet have a gun washer, or where floor space is tight. Combos are ~$3,000-$6,000 more than a standalone recycler but save the capital of a separate gun cleaner ($2,500-$7,000).

Voltage and phase — get this right the first time

Most recyclers on this page draw significant power — sizing the electrical service is essential:

• 110-120 V, single phase, 15A circuit — Uni-Ram URS500 and URS500EP2. Small shops without dedicated 240V service.
• 220-240 V, single phase, 15A circuit — Uni-Ram URS600, URS600EP2, URS900, and the 6.6-gallon SS unit. Standard for most auto body and coatings shops.
• 240V, 30A single phase circuit — Uni-Ram URS2000SS (20-gallon). Production shops. Consult your electrician for a dedicated circuit.
• Becca SC and HC — 240V single phase. Straightforward install for most industrial shops.

What solvents can I recycle?

Industrial solvent recyclers on this page work with virtually all common paint solvents:

• Lacquer thinner, MEK, MIBK, acetone, toluene, xylene, mineral spirits
• Automotive urethane and 2K coating reducers
• Alcohol-based cleaners (isopropanol, denatured alcohol)
• Waterborne booth cleaners (with the right model — check with us before ordering)

Solvents to avoid recycling in these machines: strong acids, caustics, halogenated solvents (methylene chloride, trichloroethylene), and thermally unstable coatings (some cyanoacrylates and 1K UV cures). If in doubt, call before ordering.

OSHA and EPA compliance benefits

• Reduced VOC emissions — solvent recyclers reduce your fugitive VOC emissions by 60-85% (only makeup solvent evaporates, not the reclaim volume). Big win for AQMD compliance in strict jurisdictions.
• Hazardous waste generator category — reclaim enough solvent and your monthly waste volume drops below the SQG threshold (100 kg/mo), qualifying you as CESQG with much simpler reporting.
• Documentation support — Becca and Uni-Ram both provide the reclamation volume records that satisfy EPA and state hazardous waste generator paperwork.
• Reduced fire risk — closed-loop distillation reduces the standing volume of flammable liquid in the shop, lowering fire code compliance overhead.

FAQ — Solvent Recyclers

What is a solvent recycler and how does it work?
A solvent recycler is a dedicated industrial distillation unit that reclaims clean solvent from used, contaminated solvent through low-temperature vacuum distillation. Used solvent goes in the tank, heat is applied at 60-80°C to boil off clean solvent, and vapor is condensed back to liquid in a separate collection tank. The paint sludge and non-volatile residue stay behind for disposal. Reclamation rate is typically 60-85% depending on solvent contamination level.

How much can a solvent recycler save my shop?
For a paint shop using 40 gallons/month of virgin solvent at $20/gallon, a recycler saves approximately $560/month in solvent purchases plus $105/month in hazardous waste disposal. Total annual savings around $8,000. Payback on a $10,000 recycler is typically 12-18 months.

Do I need a solvent recycler if I already have a spray gun cleaner?
Yes — the two machines do different jobs. A spray gun cleaner flushes wet paint out of your guns; a solvent recycler reclaims the used flush solvent. Together they form a closed-loop system. If you have a gun cleaner but no recycler, you're throwing away 60-85% of your solvent every month.

Which is better: standalone recycler or combo (recycler + gun cleaner)?
If you already own a gun cleaner, buy a standalone recycler. If you need both, combo units save floor space and total capital (~$3,000-$6,000 less than buying separately). Combos are best for smaller shops or shops with limited floor space.

How long does a distillation cycle take?
Cycle time depends on capacity and voltage. Uni-Ram URS500 (5-gal, 110V, 1500W): 4-6 hours per cycle. URS900 (5-gal, 240V, 2200W): 4-6 hours. URS2000SS (20-gal, 240V, 3400W): 8-10 hours. Most shops run one cycle overnight, unattended.

What solvents can I NOT recycle?
Avoid halogenated solvents (methylene chloride, trichloroethylene), strong acids and caustics, and some thermally unstable coatings (certain cyanoacrylates, 1K UV cures). If your solvent has an unusual chemistry, call us before ordering to confirm compatibility.

Does a solvent recycler help with OSHA / EPA compliance?
Yes — it reduces fugitive VOC emissions by 60-85%, and by cutting your monthly hazardous waste volume below 100 kg/month, it can move you from Small Quantity Generator (SQG) to Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) status under EPA rules, dramatically reducing reporting overhead.

Can I finance a solvent recycler purchase?
Yes. Any recycler over $2,500 qualifies for 6, 12, or 24-month financing through our finance partner. Application is a quick online form; most approvals come through within an hour. Call (888) 714-1410 for a written quote first, then apply.