I’ve got a client who’s complaining of a few concrete blobs on some basement windows. They’ve been there several months. How do I get this crap off without scratching the glass?
Check out the Titan cement off at the bottom of this page.
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It’s what I use - <a href=“Shopwindowcleaner.com” target=“_top”><img src=“Shopwindowcleaner.com cement off pint.jpg” alt=“” title=“” /></a><img style=“border:0” src=“Shopwindowcleaner.com” width=“1” height=“1” alt=“” />
Will be using some on an upcoming job. Will let you know the results
I use Fields Scale Remover (phosphic acid solution), applied from a bottle (allowing it to stream down the glass.) I make sure to spread it thoroughly with a hogs hair brush, allow a short dwell time, then scrape and clean as normal (again, with the hogs hair.)
The phosphoric acid releases the sand from the cement; the hogs hair brush doesn’t trap the debris (alleviating possible scratching.)
REMEMBER TO USE PROPER PPE (personal protective equipment!)
How much time does the Cement-Off need to dwell in real-world situations?
Larry,
Have you ever used CC 550 for removing cement? I know it’s bad for the seals but I guess you could tape the seals down. I only have used CC550 for hardwater stains and don’t know if it would work for cement that well. It seems like it would since it is acid. I would probaly just get whatever Dan Fields recommends. He has the most knowledge about Post construction cleanups since that’s what he specializes in.
Good point about those hog hair brushes. they work good in CCU.
CC550 is hydrofluoric; Fields Scale Remover is phosphoric. Different acids that work differently.
I have not used CC550 on cement. I wouldn’t want to risk my health.
I met Dan at his facility in October 2005. I attended his great seminars on HW stain removal, CCU, and fabricating debris. I’m the ugly one asking questions in the instructional DVDs.
won’t using the scraper drag concrete debris across the glass?
If you break the bond of the cement on the glass w/ one of the products mentioned you can then use a boars hair brush to wash away the grit that could get trapped. Of course you still need to know the proper way to use a razor. Always in one direction only then lift and repeat.
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I will have to try the cement off.
Cement off works every time.
C Blobs. Have a life. When they are young little blobs they have no stick. But shortly after their cure time of 24 hours they cling tenaciously. So if you can get to them early you can push them off with your finger.
Next. Many years ago I wondered if their was an acid out there that would chemically eat up and fizz away concrete but do not harm to glass or aluminum. Then came up with nitric and acetic after creating some tests. The idea was as has been explained in this thread. To apply with a soft brush totally dissolving the blobs. Then just rinse them away. I would not suggest blading any residue since any silicate granules might easily be large enough to create scratches. Silicates will not succumb to nitric or 30 to 50 percent acetic acid.
Hey Bumblebee. Would you like to comment on this? I always learn more from your posts.
Thanx guys.
Henry
OK. I checked out the MSDS for Titans Cement Off. It is based on 20 percent acetic acid. It is not a good thing to play around with nitric. Bad people make bombs from that and blow up big buildings! Titan also has included a proprietary ingredient. Which I am guessing is a well chosen synthetic detergent that helps acetic acid to work on cleaning the glass. So Cement Off won’t harm glass or aluminum and should fizz away the C Blobs.
Harv did have a good line of chemists working for him when he started Titan Labs many years ago. I really liked talking to him at the IWCA conventions! I remember him as a very happy man.
Henry
