We use 3MM paper for polysaccharide synthase assays, in which the radioactively labeled glycans are precipitated in the paper fibers using ethanol or methanol. Acetone would probably accomplish the same thing.
TCA will precipitate most high molecular polymers, especially proteins which will then be recovered on 3 MM Whatman paper. We have used this method with radioactive labelling to study for instance protein-DNA interactions. The Whatman paper will serve to separate precipitated material from soluble substances.