sodium hydroxide

I have downstreamed c austic as well but I don't like to ..I would rather use a pump up sprayer

For hoods maybe so, but for concrete you can't beat DS'ing for speed and even application. We DS hydroxide on concrete, but do use a pump up for pre-spotting heavy deposits. For that we use a REAL hot mix.

I have noticed that O-rings do go out quicker when DSing as well, but hoses get a good rinse so I haven't noticed any difference in logevity.
 
I have to add that hydroxide isn't our chem of choice for concrete cleaning, we use PowerStroke from EnviroSpec almost exclusively. Hydroxide is just another tool for real oily areas. We do however, DS a hydroxide mixture a lot on decks.

Ditto. Powerstroke is our primary concrete degreaser and brightener, it does a great job, its not hot and will keep for a longtime without losing its cleaning power.

When we do run into more stubborn stains (we do several gas station chains) we mix it stronger.

I will say that we had a BAD grease trap overflow and left for weeks if not longer by a customer. It was caked on and would not budge. Used Scott's mix in a pump up and sprayed it on, let it sit, came back after some other runs and it came off like powder on a donut....easy.

It was amazing how hot it got and how quickly it got there. That stuff works like a charm but my guys do not like working with it.
 
This is a good thread. One pound of Caustic/ Sodium Hydroxide Beads or flakes (99% strength) in one gallon of water will make the solution about 11% Sodium Hydroxide. Three pounds of Caustic in one gallon of water equals about 32% Sodium Hydroxide Solution and Five pounds of Sodium Hydroxide equals about 54% Sodium Hydroxide. Most NaOH sold in drums contains 50 % Sodium Hydroxide so yes 5 pounds can be dissolved in one gallon of water. In my opinion and experience if you are using more than one pound in one gallon, it is not only overkill but dangerous. If by some chance you get this solution in your eyes or on your skin the burns are horrible not to mention blindness can occur. Some of us have experienced this type of burn and I promise you it isn't a nice one. Just be safe and wear proper PPE when handling chemicals. PLease PLease read the MSDS's for the chemicals you use. Some chemicals do go straight to the bone such as Hydrochloric acid and will "eat" the calcium in your bones and body. A friend of mine died about 18 years ago while circulating 10% hydrochloric acid solution through a 6000 gallon heat exchanger at a refinery. The hose busted and soaked him because he was not wearing PPE. Once he got to the hospital, he died. An Autopsy revealed his bone mass was greatly dissolved by the chemical. So just be safe out there!!!! We all need to come home to our familieseveryday.
 
Well put Bobby
 
You can mix in a lot of beads or flakes, but most of it will fall out of suspension and leave a nice "hydroxide cookie" in the bottom of the mixing vessel.
A pound in a gallon will strip a deck

LOl Cookie? Or a ball sometimes.
A pound per gallon seems strong for a deck. What kind of finish are you stripping?
 
This is a good thread. One pound of Caustic/ Sodium Hydroxide Beads or flakes (99% strength) in one gallon of water will make the solution about 11% Sodium Hydroxide. Three pounds of Caustic in one gallon of water equals about 32% Sodium Hydroxide Solution and Five pounds of Sodium Hydroxide equals about 54% Sodium Hydroxide. Most NaOH sold in drums contains 50 % Sodium Hydroxide so yes 5 pounds can be dissolved in one gallon of water. In my opinion and experience if you are using more than one pound in one gallon, it is not only overkill but dangerous. If by some chance you get this solution in your eyes or on your skin the burns are horrible not to mention blindness can occur. Some of us have experienced this type of burn and I promise you it isn't a nice one. Just be safe and wear proper PPE when handling chemicals. PLease PLease read the MSDS's for the chemicals you use. Some chemicals do go straight to the bone such as Hydrochloric acid and will "eat" the calcium in your bones and body. A friend of mine died about 18 years ago while circulating 10% hydrochloric acid solution through a 6000 gallon heat exchanger at a refinery. The hose busted and soaked him because he was not wearing PPE. Once he got to the hospital, he died. An Autopsy revealed his bone mass was greatly dissolved by the chemical. So just be safe out there!!!! We all need to come home to our familieseveryday.


I think you meant to say HydroFluoric Acid, that is what goes after the Calcium in your bones and muscles. The strongest fleet wash Aluminum Brighteners have the HF Acid in them because it works the best. There are safer versions of Aluminum Brightener out there but they cost more since they are blended down to work while being safe for people, paint, glass and polished aluminum.

There are things like Calcium Gluconate to keep on hand if you use the HF Acid products but always like Bobby mentioned, when dealing with Acids, Caustics, Oxidizers, Solvents, etc..... you should always use the proper PPE, it is listed on the MSDS for the chemicals you use.

I have been in places where people have died because of the HF Acid problems, it is no joke and needs to be treated seriously.
 
Hydrofluoric acid is what I meant. Thanks for catching that, Chris. Hydrochloric acid will cause deep tissue damage and severe burns. Nevertheless, whatever chemicals we are using we definitely need to pay attention to the dangers associated with using them and also when we are mixing with other chemicals. Some chemicals cause violent and deadly reactions when mixing with other chemicals so just be careful.
 
does anybody use hydrochloric acid? I have 5 gallons that I don't use. It is a very strong consentration. It puts off a vapor you can see when poring it. Any ideas on some good uses?
 
As an acid based chemical, it depends on if it has buffers in it, the strength, what other ingredients are in it, etc.... would help to determine what else it could be used for.

How strong is it (%)?
 
does anybody use hydrochloric acid? I have 5 gallons that I don't use. It is a very strong consentration. It puts off a vapor you can see when poring it. Any ideas on some good uses?

hydrochloric is the active chemical in Safe Restore. This is probably my favorite chemical for removing hard water stains and even restoring really old and oxidized anodized aluminum framing. You can then apply a sealer to the framing and from the same manufacturer (EacoChem) and really make some good money to metal restoration.

I would like to devote more time to growing the metal restoration thing. Pretty good money and not many doing it as far as I can tell.

http://www.kcpowerclean.com/window-cleaning-services.html
The bottom video on this page is an example of metal restoration on anodized alum.
 
I try to stay away from concrete cleaning unless someone ask.. BUt in my opinion Caustic works good to degrease the concrete and then a bleach rinse to brighten the concrete ( if needed ) Bleach is not a degreaser .. I also think iof you have the heat and the gpm and the concrete isn't to dirty just use hot water and a surface cleaner... ( No use in wasting chem) As far as name brand stuff ( it cost way to much ) We have a guy in MS that has a cold water rig , he uses a bunch of purple power from walmart at 5.00 a gallon.. I dont see where the profit is in all this.. 1- 28.00 bag of caustic will clean around 30 restaurant hoods and a whole bunch of concrete..
 
Your the man Scott, 5lbs into 1gl your freak'n nuts! And then stick your thumb in it!

I have no words....you have my respect.
 
This is a good thread. One pound of Caustic/ Sodium Hydroxide Beads or flakes (99% strength) in one gallon of water will make the solution about 11% Sodium Hydroxide. Three pounds of Caustic in one gallon of water equals about 32% Sodium Hydroxide Solution and Five pounds of Sodium Hydroxide equals about 54% Sodium Hydroxide.

In checking compatibility, I see ratings in different percentages of chemical for some materials.

Example: Viton is fair at 20% NAOH, which according to the above is 2 lbs. flakes or beads per gallon of water would equal a 22% solution? Is this accurate?

NOTE: I failed math multiple times in school,Ha,Ha,..
Figuring the percentage thing is something I DID try,...I tried the W/V thing and didn't come up with any real conclusions,..other than I still suck at math equations and such. I was better a study hall and gym.

Jeff
 
The formula or caustic is different than most, when you dilute it 50/50 with water it does not cut the % in half, it cuts it much less. There is a forumla out there and a chart, I will look for it later and post it if nobody else finds it first.
 
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