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Clean GEL
Clean GEL / Paste is highly concentrate paste which is used to clean metal areas and is applied with brush. Useful for preparing metal surface for painting. Paint will adhere better to iron and steel surfaces when cleaned with Clean Jelly.
It is used to remove heavy scales, discolouration, annealing colours, rust particles near weld and welding affected area by heat without grinding or wire brushing or buffing.
| PROBLEM | CLEARING AGENT | COMMENTS |
| Rust and other corrosion products. Embedded or adhering "free iron | Very light rust stain can be removed by 10% nitric acid. More significant rust or embedded iron will require pickling. Also see previous sections on Passivating and Pickling. Sand or glass-bead blasting is another option | Wear PPE as appropriate. Afterwards rinse well with clean water. Mix in acid-proof container, and be very careful with the acid, (See Precautions for acid cleaners) |
| Routine cleaning of boat fittings. | Frequent washing down with fresh water. | Recommended after each time the boat is used in salt water. |
| Cooking pot boiled dry. | Remove burnt food by soaking in hot water with detergent, baking soda or amonia. | Afterwards clean and polish. with a mild abrasive if necessary. See comments re steel wool. |
| Dark oxide from welding or heat treatment. | "Pickling Paste" or pickling solutions given on previous page. | Must be careful rinsed, and use care in handling (see Precautions for acid cleaners). |
| Scratches on polished (satin or brushed) finish. | Slight scratches - use impregnated nylon pads. Polish with polishing wheel dressed with iron-free abrasive for deeper scratches. Follow polish lines. Then clean with soap or detergent as for routine cleaning | Do not use ordinary steel wool - iron particles can become embedded in stainless steel and cause further surface problems. Stainless steel and "Scotchbrite" scouring pads are satisfactory. |
| PROBLEM | CLEARING AGENT | COMMENTS |
| Routine cleaning All finishes | Soap mild detergent and water. (preferably warm) | Sponge, rinse with clean water, wipe dry if necessary. Follow polish lines. |
| Fingerprints All finishes | Soap warm water or organic solvent (eg acetone, alchol, methylated spirits) | Rinse with clean water and pipe dry. Follow polish lines. |
| Stubborn stains and discoloration. All finishes. | Mild cleaning solutions. Ensure any properietary cleaners state compatibility with stainless steel. Phpsphoric acid cleaners may also be effective | Use rag, sponge or fibre brush (soft nylon or natural bristle. An old toothbrush can be useful). Rinse well with clean water and wipe dry. Follow polish lines. |
| Lime deposits from hard water. | Solution of one part vinegar to three parts water. | Soak in solution then brush to loosen. Rise well with clean water. |
| Oil or grease marks. All finishes. | Organic solvents (eg. acetone, alchol, methylated spirits, proprietary "safety solvents"). Baked-on grease can be softened beforehand with ammonia |
Clean after with soap and water, rinse with clean water and dry. Follow polish lines |
1.Clean Gel / Paste is applied on metal surrounding areas with a nylon bristled plastic brush. Application Temp. = between 5 – 40 deg. C
2. Keep Paste for 5 to 30 minutes (contact time) depending on contamination, temperature .
3. Use pressurised water jet spray OR wipe the weld seam lightly with plastic brush & wash with water thoroughly.
For Satin / Dull Finish
1. First remove oil, dirt,buffing compounds etc, with Rxsol Degreaser. Add 50-75 gm/lit. in water (i.e. 1 kg Rxsol Degreaser in 15 to 20 lit. water) & stir to dissolve. Wipe S.S surface with cotton cloth or pressurized spray for 2-5 min. or soak for 10 min. Then, wash with water properly.
2. Clean Gel Paste is applied on weld seam & surrounding areas with a nylon bristled plastic brush or by Paste sprayer or circulated in pipeline with pump.
Application Temp. = Room temp.( i.e. between 25-35 C). If temperature is less than 25 C, then more time may be required and if temperature is more than 35 C, then uneven preocessing & drying of applied materials may result.Then, cool SS equipment by keeping it in shade or cover by temporary shade to protect that not directly under the sun light.
3. Keep Clean Gel Paste for 10-45 minutes depending on contamination & scale. ( generally kept for 10-30 min. and Pickling Spray generally kept 30-45 min. Depending on SS type and initial condition of SS parts)
4. Wipe the weld seam lightly with plastic brush or cloth & wash the Paste applied area with water thoroughly.
For Cleaning Mirror Bright SS Areas
THE BELOW STEPS WILL NOT AFFECT SHINE OF MIRROR BRIGHT POLISHED SS AREAS AND PROVIDE CONTAMINATION & STERILE PARTICLE FREE PASSIVATED SS SURFACE.
1) First apply Clean Gel Paste in weld seam & surrounding areas with a nylon bristled plastic brush. After 10 to 30 min. wipe with cloth or plastic brush & wash water thoroughly.
(Application of Clean Gel Paste ensures that black & red spots do not come on & near weld seams area as generally observed some days after bright buffing.)
2) Complete bright buffing / polishing procedure to make surface mirror bright & shiny.
DISCARD STEPS 1 & 2 ABOVE, IF SS SURFACE IS ALREADY BRIGHT BUFFED OR ELECTROPOLISHED.
3) Remove oil, dirt buffing compounds etc. with RXSOL Degreaser which is Metal Free Degreaser. Add 50-75 gm/lit. in water & stir to dissolve.
Wipe S.S. surface with cotton cloth or pressurised spray for 2-5 min. or soak small parts for 10 min. Wash with water prpoerly.
NOTE: It is better to rinse SS surface with 10 gm/lit RXSOL DEGREASER solution as the last step and then rinse with water to ensure complete removal of previously applied Passivate Pickling paste or spray from the surface.
Advantage & Benifit
- Easy to apply.
- Due to paste easy to use on vertical surface.
- Simply washed with water.
- Easy to handle.
- Easly remove heavy scales, discolouration, annealing colours, rust particles near weld and welding affected area .
- Appearance: Liquid, viscous, colourless, soluble in water
- pH
- Boiling point - not known
- Vapour pressure <0.01 kPa at 20 deg C
- Vapour density - not known
- Freezing point <0 °C at 760 mm/Hg
- Completely soluble in water