Hydrocarbons, C11-C14, n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics, <2% aromatics

C11–C14 hydrocarbons (n-alkanes, isoalkanes, cyclics) are a refined petroleum fraction widely used as a low-aromatic carrier solvent in tire dressings, leather conditioners, and water-displacing sprays. The aromatic content cap (<2%) excludes the carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that drive most petroleum Prop 65 listings, though trace aromatics in the parent stream are still the typical reason a finished product carries a Prop 65 warning.

In tire dressings, this solvent disperses the silicone or wax actives, aids initial spreading on the tire sidewall, and flashes off during cure. It carries the H304 (aspiration hazard) classification standard for low-viscosity petroleum fractions — meaningful only if swallowed and aspirated into the lungs, not from normal topical contact.

Environmentally, biodegradation is slow but aquatic toxicity at consumer-use concentrations is not a concern. The VOC contribution depends on concentration: at 10–18% in a heavy gel formula, the typical contribution is 100–200 g/L.