Chemical cleaners improve cleaning with waterfed poles
July 1st 2005

Specialised chemical cleaners can aid the cleaning of windows with or without waterfed poles. They can also be used on fabrics, both vinyl and woven. Tucker Pole explains some of the benefitsM The importance of using pure water with water fed poles has been paramount in the success of high level glass cleaning. If the results aren’t good then the culprit is usually the quality of the water rather than technique (although hurrying a job can also give dissatisfaction). Therefore the vast majority of glass cleans can be done with 99.9% pure water and as long as the deionised resin is checked, for this level of output, then there should be no complaints.

Badly stained glass, atmospheric deposits, mineral deposition and other contaminants, such as exhaust pollution, require a different approach. The use of warmed / hot water has been the answer, from one quarter, but this has often failed to live up to expectations.

The Tucker Pole was designed as a dual hose system giving independent control of water flow both to the brush head and an overhead rinse spray. This has given the big advantage of accessorising a ‘detergent dispenser’ and ‘chemical doser’, used independently, online to the brush head. The former provides a low foaming soap solution, to assist in the removal of heavy glass soiling. The latter is designed to work with cleaning chemicals to break down more complex staining, particularly on awnings, fascias and cladding. In both cases the overhead spray acts as an immediate rinse facility.

Tucker has always manufactured its own detergent tablets however, with heavy staining becoming more problematic, it has now started to look at specialised chemicals. Earlier this year the company introduced, in the UK, through its new janitorial business, Aquafactors Janitorial Supplies (AJS), four specific chemical cleaners. Some of these can be used undiluted and independent of poles. The results have in some cases been astonishing and Tucker is looking to publish case studies in coming months.

As far as AJS is concerned the most important of the products is Crystal Clear 550. This has become an industry standard, in the USA, in non-abrasive glass restoration. Crystal Clear 550 is able to restore the damage done by water spots, pollution, building runoff, mineral deposits and alkaline haze. Where glass is lightly etched with stage 1 corrosion, Crystal Clear 550 can make this less noticeable on uncoated, clear and float-glass surfaces. Crystal Clear 550 will dissolve away the mineral deposits from the surface of the glass and help prevent redepositing later by cleaning out any rough areas where such deposits can become trapped. As Crystal Clear 550 is an acid-based product, it has the ability to dissolve alkaline residues found in the rough pits and build-up ridges, on the glass, caused by corrosive materials. It will clean glass until it looks almost like new. It can only be applied by a sponge or cloth and then rinsed away.

The next product in the range is designed to be used with a Tucker Pole. With the increasing use of vinyl to produce banners, signs and to manufacture marquees and awnings, there is a need to use a safe, biodegradable system to maintain and protect these surfaces. The Vinyl Awning Cleaner and Protectant is a specially formulated blend of proactive cleaning agents giving the professional a one-step cleaning and protective system for light and moderately soiled vinyl fabrics. The product has a balanced system of surface active agents for cleaning, plasticizers to keep vinyl looking new and supple, and UV inhibitors to deter the damaging effects of weather, particularly sun.

Deep Clean is a specially formulated blend of active cleaning agents to give the maintenance professional a cleaning product that will remove even the heaviest and most deeply embedded soiling on awnings or fabrics, both vinyl and woven types. Deep Clean is a powerful cleaner and will remove tree sap, bird droppings, pollution, exhaust fumes and building run-off from vinyl signs, banners, marquees, canopies and awnings. It will not affect colour. It will not void manufacturer warranties. It is also concentrated so you can fine tune it for the performance you need. It works well with the Tucker Pole chemical dosing system.

Lastly, there is Aluma Wash which can clean ‘hi tech’ aluminium floors, building fascias and cladding, window frames, platforms and walls. It is able to cut through airborne pollution including hydrocarbons, accumulated traffic film, greasy smudges and heavily soiled surfaces. Special inhibitors help to prevent corrosion. It also has a wide variety of uses in general cleaning, including work surfaces, tables and tools. Aluma Wash is non-corrosive and may be used on most metal surfaces in any application requiring heavy duty cleaning and rapid degreasing.

Once clean, and the surfaces are residue free, they will not attract additional soiling. Aluma Wash can retard aluminium blush.

Leaflets on these products are available directly from AJS, use the enquiry bar:

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