Grow Chemical Co.

Grow Chemical Co.: A Legacy Built on Solvent Technology

Few names in the automotive refinishing world carry the weight of Grow Chemical Co. (also known as Grow Automotive). Tracing its roots back to 1934, the company began under the Glow Solvent Company name and, over the following decades, evolved into one of the nation's most respected producers of professional-grade automotive solvents and refinishing chemicals. That kind of longevity is no accident — it is the product of a relentless focus on formulation quality and performance that has earned the trust of both OEM assembly plants and independent body shop professionals alike.

Solvent Science for the Refinishing Professional

At the heart of Grow Chemical Co.'s reputation is a deep commitment to solvent technology. The brand has developed proprietary innovations — including its H.E.T. (High-Efficiency Technology) solvent platform — that set a benchmark for consistency and performance in demanding automotive and industrial coating environments. Whether a technician is spraying basecoat in a downdraft booth or cleaning up equipment after a production run, Grow's chemistry is engineered to deliver predictable, repeatable results every time.

Grow's flagship category is its line of Paint Reducers, which includes urethane reducers in fast-dry, medium-dry, and slow-dry formulations. These products are designed to work across a wide range of temperatures and application speeds, making them a versatile backbone for any refinishing operation. Choosing the right reducer speed is one of the most important decisions in any paint job — too fast in a warm environment causes orange peel and dry spray, while too slow in cool conditions can lead to extended cure times and sagging. Grow's range of speeds puts the right tool in the painter's hands for any shop condition.

Equally important to a quality finish is what happens before the paint ever hits the panel. Grow's Prime Washes, Solvents & Thinners — including their well-regarded Premium Wash Solvent and low-VOC lacquer thinners — are formulated to prepare surfaces and clean spray equipment thoroughly. A contaminated surface is the enemy of adhesion, and Grow's wash solvents are trusted by professionals to eliminate oil, moisture, and residue that could compromise a finish from the start.

For surface preparation, Grow also offers a lineup of Specialty Cleaners — most notably the Super-Klean wax, grease, and silicone remover. Super-Klean is a purpose-built pre-cleaner that can be applied both before and after sanding, and even directly to bare metal, making it a flexible tool across the full prep workflow. Rounding out the catalog is a range of straight Solvents & Thinners including high-purity acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and isopropyl alcohol — the foundational chemistry that keeps a body shop running day to day.

Trusted from the Assembly Line to the Body Shop

What sets Grow Chemical Co. apart is the breadth of its customer base. OEM manufacturers rely on Grow solvents in their assembly plants because performance specifications are non-negotiable at that scale. That same standard flows downstream to the professional refinisher who needs a product that works the first time, every time. For the DIY enthusiast tackling a restoration project, Grow's products offer access to the same professional-grade chemistry without compromise.