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FRP panels without silicone?
- Thread starter vashick1
- Start date
rph9168
Carwashguy
In reality many of the products most washes use could be potentially dangerous if not handled or applied properly. My point hasn't been to raise doubts about all the various products in use or to start a crusade against car wash chemicals (with the possible exception of products containing the fluoride ion). The point is that operators need to know as much as possible about the proper handling and application of every product they are using and to limit access to them to employees that are fully aware of what they are dealing with including remedies if they experience a problem with them. This is not only good operating procedure but is part of what OSHA requires.
My point hasn't been to criticize any input. I am just after a safe, quality cleaner. That's all. If we can't get this list together it only means: Use whatever you like but be careful! But I think we can do better than this. So let me rephrase my last posting:
How about if we all get a list together of products that are RELATIVELY safe to use AND do work?
MEP001
Well-known member
As I indicated before, cleaning something depends on what you're trying to remove. I've noticed that with FRP it gets "dirty" in many little speckles. Soils may be leeching in around the exposed fiberglass fibers, and it will be all but impossible to clean that. Perhaps a company that refurbishes fiberglass tubs and showers could recoat the stained FRP, and their coatings may be impervious to future staining.
soapy
Senior Member
I have found Muratic acid from the paint store to work very well on polymax. I usually do 2 panels at a time. I pour it straight into a bucket and dilute with an equal part of water and use a brush to put it on the wall panels. After getting both panels covered with acid I go back to the start and gently scrub with a brush on a lang handle. 1 to 2 gallons will do a large automatic bay.
DiamondWash
Well-known member
Here's what Ryko's "New" Wall and Equipment Cleaner did for me:
Before:
After:
I had the whole bay done in 2-3 hrs with "minimal" scrubing and this is 6 1/2yrs of grime on those walls and equipment, it was worse in our OHD bay and both bays came out like new and with no HF. Call Ryko and get a sample try it for yourself.
Before:
After:
I had the whole bay done in 2-3 hrs with "minimal" scrubing and this is 6 1/2yrs of grime on those walls and equipment, it was worse in our OHD bay and both bays came out like new and with no HF. Call Ryko and get a sample try it for yourself.
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rph9168
Carwashguy
Do you have the MSDS Sheet for their wall cleaner? I looked on their site and they do not post it. I would bet that that there is some form of the fluoride ion in it. I am always suspicious when a manufacturer does not list the MSDS for a product on line. In my many years in the industry I have never seen a wall cleaner that works that well that does not contain the fluoride ion in some form.
I assume you wore protective gear when you cleaned the bay.
I assume you wore protective gear when you cleaned the bay.
DiamondWash
Well-known member
It's just the camera I forgot to put the flash on but it is brightier then that, as for the MSDS sheet I am gettting that from Ryko's Chemical Engineer Monday and will post it here also yes I did suit up full face shield, resperator, better be safe then dead.
rph9168
Carwashguy
Ryko should have given you an MSDS sheet when they sold you the product. Any professional chemical supplier should always provide you an MSDS sheet for you for any product you are sold for the first time without you having to ask and provide updates for all others when necessary. I would have a talk with Ryko or my chemical supplier if I were you to make sure you have MSDS sheets on all the products they are supplying. You could have potentially injured yourself not knowing what protective measures you should have taken and the nature of the product you were using.
Washmechanic
Washmechanic, Ibas. ss,
We didn't seal the bottoms or tops of the panels with silicone when they were up. Haven't had any problems with moisture build up after six years.
Red Baron
Active member
We're in the middle of a 7 bay project using the 24" Extrutech panels. Material = $6,000, shipping was $1,000. It goes up nice and we've had numerous compliments after only 2 bays. Don't scrimp on the Liquid Nails - we're using a full tube per 24" x 72" panel. I figure a couple hundred dollars extra for LN will be a lot cheaper than repairing blown off panels next spring, as I've had to do before.
Btw, 6 self serve bays use 72" panels while the IBA uses 11' panels.
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