Mixing Caustic

Does anyone mix anything else into their caustic mix for general degreasing and cleaning applications? I was just trying to get the most out of my chemical use, I like the chems working hard not me. I generally go 6 cups per 5 gallons of water, a 55 pound bag will last quite a while.
 
I have found that if you mix your caustic beads with butly the effects are far more productive than with just caustic by there self.You can even go as far as butly caustic and tsp with that said the amounts of caustic dont have to be as much.A cup per gallon is a good rule of thumb to start i think anything more than 1 cup per gallon is a waste.Disclaimer this mix that was mentioned is for dirty stuff with no paint around ie greasy concrete thing like that.
 
I still love this thread. I was afraid of Russ after seeing these pictures. After meeting him in person I was TERRIFIED!


Just FYI for emergencies - It's very expensive but if you find yourself in a bad spot on the weekend or something you can buy this at Lowes. It's too expensive to be sustainable, but it might get a job done that may have otherwise gone south if you didn't have it:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_146450-331-HD-CRY-6+CRYSTAL+DRA_0__?productId=3465780&Ntt=drain+cleaner&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Ddrain%2Bcleaner&facetInfo=
 
Lowes is the only place I have found it other than lyedepot.com I have called every chemical and supply company in arkansas including the co-ops. Any ideas? Also define mixing caustic please... like mixing with what... I mix with water or with purple power, but I'm a noob at mixing stuff.
 
Question for the Az guys. Is there a place local you can get SH, or is it better/cheaper to order online? If so what online supplier do you use?
 
Question for the Az guys. Is there a place local you can get SH, or is it better/cheaper to order online? If so what online supplier do you use?

What's your number? hell with it call my cell at 623.206.9866
 
scratch that sent you a message
 
I was noticing the lettering style on him!!!:D
Now that I know how BIG Russ is, and the ink on him and now that I see he does mix Caustic with his hand......I am going to do everything to stay on his good side ( Don't know if I will ever get on the Fab Five List )

as long as your hands are and no cuts it can be handled by hand.....that sentence sounds weird to me.
 
Always best to wear gloves when dealing with hydroxide. You don't have to have a cut,..if you're sweating the hydroxide dust will feel like little needles entering your skin.

Also,..I prefer hydroxide flakes over beads,.they seem to mix easier due to the the material having looser,..or having more air pockets in between.

Mask is a good idea as well,..the dust in the nose passage isn't pleasant neither.

Univar handles it,..I think it's around $100.00 for 50 lbs.


Jeff
 
I should also add,..long gloves,..or at least gloves and long sleeves. I also put the hydroxide flakes in a 5 gallon bucket,..eliminates reaching inside the bag and having your forearms rub the inside of the bag.

Jeff
 
We did a deck strip job this summer and needed a real hot mix to remove solid stain

One of my guys was spraying the mix on boards on the outside of the deck that were eye level

He was wearing safety glasses but the "mist" or splash back kept hitting him in the face.

He wrapped his shirt around his face and finished the application

When he put his glasses down a small hole had burned right through both lenses- they were cheap thin plastic glasses but it burned right through nonetheless
 
Last edited:
Good info. I was working with a very light sodium hydroxide mix this weekend cleaning stuff around the house, and my eyes are still feeling irritated.

I was considering getting a respirator with a face shield for when spraying this stuff eye level or higher, anyone have some pro's or con's to it? I hope the plastic they make it out of will be better than the glasses one of your guys was wearing Mike! Scary to hear that haha.
 
Back
Top