Hi Sue:  Our lab also switched to Clear Rite this last year and found it to
be working fine in the staining process.  We still use one container of
xylene in the deparaffinizing steps (first container of 3) and one in the
clearing steps (last container of 3), so we haven't gotten completely out of
using xylene. Recently we had problems with water contamination from the
alcohols.  Make sure the absolute alcohol prior to using clear rite is
actually absolute. Ours was 98% and we had lots of spots.  Hope this helps.

Judi
Palo Alto, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Sue Barnes [SMTP:SBarnes@elch.org]
> Sent:	Thursday, September 21, 2000 10:46 AM
> To:	'HISTONET@PATHOLOGY.SWMED.EDU'
> Subject:	XYLENE SUBSTITUTE
> 
> Our lab is trying to go with a xylene substitute for both processing and
> staining.  at the present time we are trying Clear Rite by Richard Allen.
> The processing appears to be fine but we are having problems with the
> staining.  Does anyone have a staining protocol using clear rite?  Could
> you
> please send the protocol along with the changing reagent cycles that are
> working for you.  We never had these problems with xylene.
> 
> We are also wanting to switch to a formalin substitute.  which one is
> working the best?
> 
> Does anyone know who makes Bio Clear.  this one was suggested to us.
> 
> We have a Renaissance processor and a Leica Auto stainer XL.
> Thanks for any help.
> Sue