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Application overview

Seventy years of accumulated city grime coated the 47-story Penobscot Building, once the tallest building in Detroit. Occupying a quarter of a city block in one of the busiest areas of the Motor City, the building represented a major cleaning project for OBR Inc., a masonry restoration contractor with offices in Detroit, Toledo, and Fort Wayne, IN. The lower levels of the never-cleaned facade were "black with carbon residue and atmospheric pollution," according to John Hall, Vice President of OBR. The upper floors were not as dirty, but -- considering the height and location of the building -- they still presented a formidable challenge.

Substrate

The exterior of the building consists of Indiana limestone with granite trim, leaden spandrels, and sculpted decorations symbolic of the Penobscot Indians, for whom the building was named.

Special Concerns

In selecting a cleaning method, the contractor had to consider pedestrian and automobile traffic, the large number of windows that would have to be protected if chemicals or hard abrasive cleaning methods were used, the height of the building, and wind drift. ARMEX, a nontoxic, gentle abrasive cleaner, emerged as the best choice by far.

Previous Methods

The building exterior had never been cleaned.

Project Schedule

Most of the cleaning was completed at night, with two and sometimes three machines in use at one time. Actual cleaning time is difficult to estimate because other work -- stone repair and replacement, tuck pointing, caulking, and painting -- was also done as part of the overall project. However, the total project was completed within the budgeted time and cost.

Equipment Specifications

ACCUSTRIP SYSTEM® Model 11SX machines were used with ARMEX Maintenance Formula delivered at 100 psi, blasted wet.

Containment

Most of the ARMEX was in solution and rinsed away with the run-off water. The remaining spent media was swept up and disposed of in a landfill. The contractor adhered to all relevant regulations.

Results/Benefits Summary

The production rate varied with how dirty the substrate was. It was possible for one man to clean as much as 500 sq. ft. per hour on the moderately soiled upper floors, but the production rate dropped to only 45 sq. ft. per hour on the blackened lower floors closer to street level.

The contractor found that on this particular job it was critical to saturate the stone with water before cleaning with ARMEX. If the water/ARMEX solution was itself absorbed by the stone, rinsing could be a problem.

The old building next to the train depot in Rochester, Michigan, has been through a lot in the past 70 odd years. It spent about 20 years as a car dealership, enjoying its strategic location just 25 miles north of the "motor city" of Detroit. For several more decades it served as the town's fire hall. With each transition it was painted, altered and shaped to fit the needs of the new owners. When Andy Sakmar, owner of the Century 21 agency located next door in the now-converted train station, decided to expand, he bought the old fire hall and set about yet another round of renovations.

Dividing walls came down, wiring was torn out, old plumbing was taken away – everything happened pretty much as planned. But when the false ceiling was removed, Andy and the workmen found something they really hadn't expected. What they discovered was the original vaulted, wood-lath barrel ceiling, made with hand-built crossbow trusses and adorned with intricate wooden latticework. Five of these beautiful trusses, made of one inch by 12-foot fir, curved across the 25' width of hall at 12-foot intervals.

The ceiling had been painted at some point in its life, and Andy decided that he wanted to at least attempt to have the paint removed and the wood restored to its natural finish. Various contractors spot-tested a number of stripping methods. Solvents were time-consuming and unpleasant to use. Sand blasting was too hard on the wood. Corncobs were ineffective. Then Andy heard about ARMEX Certified Contractor in the Detroit area. "As soon as the strip test was done," reports Andy, "we knew this was the process we wanted to use in restoring the ceiling."

Historical restoration was somewhat of a departure from Geostrip's typical projects, but Ray found the challenge interesting and rewarding. "We use ARMEX Maintenance Formula XL for most of our industrial jobs," explains Ray, "but we found that regular Maintenance Formula worked best for this job. Blasting dry at 50-60 psi using an ACCUSTRIP Model 13p, we were able to strip about 4-sq. ft. per minute. Altogether, we used about 1300 lbs. of media to strip approximately 1500-sq. ft. of wood. And that includes the detailed lattice work."

Dust control wasn't a problem because a pre-bid lead test was negative and the paint stripping was done before the construction debris inside the building was hauled away. The spent media simply fell to the floor and was swept up with the general rubble. Workmen doing the stripping did wear full-face masks because they were working in an enclosed area.

The results? "We're ecstatic!" enthuses Andy Sakmar. "It came out absolutely gorgeous." In fact, as gorgeous now as it was more than 70 years ago.

The Amphitheater in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, seemed invincible. Built in 1900, the historic terra cotta and red brick structure withstood two major earthquakes, more than eight decades of weather, and the humility of more than 20 layers of graffiti and lead-based paint. The 1987 earthquake dealt the final blow, however, causing city officials to close it.

Five years and several million dollars in lost revenue later, the city decided to restore the Amphitheater, which involved the removal of the toxic lead paint. The Public Works Department contacted lead abatement experts at CST Environmental of San Leandro, California to begin stripping. CST Environmental, in turn, contacted ARMEX distributor Smith Industrial.

With two ACCUSTRIP 12X units operating eight hours a day, the intricate structure was stripped in just one month. Unlike chemical cleaners and sandblasting, the ARMEX System did not damage the surface of the fragile terra cotta bricks. It was even able to clean effectively in hard-to-reach and recessed areas. In addition, the ARMEX System met the city's other major concerns:

Worker Safety: Wet blasting was performed in a containment structure under negative air requirements. The ARMEX System exhibited levels of airborne lead content well within OSHA guidelines, with personal air samples monitored by a third-part consulting firm. Workers were even able to use lightweight PAPRs as opposed to the bulky mask and airline required with sandblasting. The benign nature of the ARMEX media also reduced worker safety liability concerns for the contractor.

Disposal: Drums of the post-blast slurry (containing ARMEX and the removed paint) passed TCLP tests for lead and chemical content. The slurry was declared safe for disposal in a sanitary waste landfill.

Cost: The cost of disposal was approximately 10 cents per pound of material. Other stripping methods, such as sandblasting, may have produced slurries that required handling in a hazardous waste site. This could have cost up to $1 per pound – 10 times the cost of the actual ARMEX disposal! Today, the Amphitheater is once again restored to its original beauty.

"Sometimes you can turn and awkward situations into valuable business opportunities," according to Paul Arle, National Sales Manager for ARMEX® Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems, "if you just keep your cool."

Recently, Paul was on hand for an open house hosted by Goedecke, the distributor for ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems in St. Louis, Missouri. On the agenda was a demonstration of the uses and benefits of ARMEX® Blast Media Profile Formula XL. The demonstration was progressing smoothly, when an architect stepped forward and asked to see how the system worked on a sample he'd brought with him. He explained that he'd heard glowing reviews of the process and simply wanted to see if it could effectively address his needs. Unfortunately, his sample happened to be a very old, ornate piece of wooden paneling, too delicate for the aggressiveness of Profile Formula XL. Paul used the opportunity to explain the versatility of the different formulations of ARMEX Blast Media, and then proceeded to learn more about the architect's problem before proposing a solution.

It turned out that the University of St. Louis was beginning a restoration of its former library, which is situated in a campus historic landmark. The former library is a room five stories high containing more than 23,000 square feet of wooden paneling, with many intricately carved sections. Wooden beams support the ceiling and the walls are lined with balconies, wrought iron railings, and numerous windows.

The initial plan was to strip the wood of its 125 year-old finish, apply a sealer, and then refinish and clear-coat the paneling. When it came time to review options for removing the finish, the project management team hit a snag. High on its list of major considerations for the job was preserving the artistic integrity of the paneling, worker safety, and site clean up. Due to the size and layout of the job, the group worried about chemical stripping with its associated fumes and environmental considerations. Traditional abrasive methods had been deemed too destructive. According to the architect, the management group was hoping that ARMEX would turn out to be a safe and cost-effective alternative.

After touring the site and discussing the project in greater detail with University officials, Paul sent samples of the paneling to ARMEX Test Facility to determine the best method of removing the finish. Their recommendation? Use an ACCUSTRIP® Model 13 delivery device and Hi-pro nozzle to blast dry with ARMEX Composite Formula at 30 psi.

Soon after the job began, University officials, not to mention the architect himself, were pleasantly amazed by the results obtained using ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Systems. ARMEX proved so successful at revealing the rich beauty of the underlying wood that the management team decided to forgo restaining and simply seal and clear coat the natural wood. In addition, initial concerns about the possible accumulation of dust during the job, which used approximately 6 tons of media, proved groundless. Spent media on the floor and balconies was vacuumed up, and airborne particles were removed by means of an existing large exhaust fan. Containment was already in place on the outside of the building in preparation for lead paint removal, so the dust was simply collected later with the paint debris.

One additional benefit was derived from the job. Word spread to a local painters' union, which brought its apprentice class to the site to witness this "miracle process" in action and become familiar with the equipment. It's gratifying to know that – perhaps in the near future – ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems could be a standard part of every refinisher's armamentarium.

The Amphitheater in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, seemed invincible. Built in 1900, the historic terra cotta and red brick structure withstood two major earthquakes, more than eight decades of weather, and the humility of more than 20 layers of graffiti and lead-based paint. The 1987 earthquake dealt the final blow, however, causing city officials to close it.

Five years and several million dollars in lost revenue later, the city decided to restore the Amphitheater, which involved the removal of the toxic lead paint. The Public Works Department contacted lead abatement experts at CST Environmental of San Leandro, California to begin stripping. CST Environmental, in turn, contacted ARMEX distributor Smith Industrial.

With two ACCUSTRIP 12X units operating eight hours a day, the intricate structure was stripped in just one month. Unlike chemical cleaners and sandblasting, the ARMEX System did not damage the surface of the fragile terra cotta bricks. It was even able to clean effectively in hard-to-reach and recessed areas. In addition, the ARMEX System met the city's other major concerns:

Worker Safety: Wet blasting was performed in a containment structure under negative air requirements. The ARMEX System exhibited levels of airborne lead content well within OSHA guidelines, with personal air samples monitored by a third-part consulting firm. Workers were even able to use lightweight PAPRs as opposed to the bulky mask and airline required with sandblasting. The benign nature of the ARMEX media also reduced worker safety liability concerns for the contractor.

Disposal: Drums of the post-blast slurry (containing ARMEX and the removed paint) passed TCLP tests for lead and chemical content. The slurry was declared safe for disposal in a sanitary waste landfill.

Cost: The cost of disposal was approximately 10 cents per pound of material. Other stripping methods, such as sandblasting, may have produced slurries that required handling in a hazardous waste site. This could have cost up to $1 per pound – 10 times the cost of the actual ARMEX disposal! Today, the Amphitheater is once again restored to its original beauty.

Sometimes you can turn and awkward situations into valuable business opportunities," according to Paul Arle, National Sales Manager for ARMEX® Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems, "if you just keep your cool."

Recently, Paul was on hand for an open house hosted by Goedecke, the distributor for ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems in St. Louis, Missouri. On the agenda was a demonstration of the uses and benefits of ARMEX® Blast Media Profile Formula XL. The demonstration was progressing smoothly, when an architect stepped forward and asked to see how the system worked on a sample he'd brought with him. He explained that he'd heard glowing reviews of the process and simply wanted to see if it could effectively address his needs. Unfortunately, his sample happened to be a very old, ornate piece of wooden paneling, too delicate for the aggressiveness of Profile Formula XL. Paul used the opportunity to explain the versatility of the different formulations of ARMEX Blast Media, and then proceeded to learn more about the architect's problem before proposing a solution.

It turned out that the University of St. Louis was beginning a restoration of its former library, which is situated in a campus historic landmark. The former library is a room five stories high containing more than 23,000 square feet of wooden paneling, with many intricately carved sections. Wooden beams support the ceiling and the walls are lined with balconies, wrought iron railings, and numerous windows.

The initial plan was to strip the wood of its 125 year-old finish, apply a sealer, and then refinish and clear-coat the paneling. When it came time to review options for removing the finish, the project management team hit a snag. High on its list of major considerations for the job was preserving the artistic integrity of the paneling, worker safety, and site clean up. Due to the size and layout of the job, the group worried about chemical stripping with its associated fumes and environmental considerations. Traditional abrasive methods had been deemed too destructive. According to the architect, the management group was hoping that ARMEX would turn out to be a safe and cost-effective alternative.

After touring the site and discussing the project in greater detail with University officials, Paul sent samples of the paneling to ARMEX Test Facility to determine the best method of removing the finish. Their recommendation? Use an ACCUSTRIP® Model 13 delivery device and Hi-pro nozzle to blast dry with ARMEX Composite Formula at 30 psi.

Soon after the job began, University officials, not to mention the architect himself, were pleasantly amazed by the results obtained using ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Systems. ARMEX proved so successful at revealing the rich beauty of the underlying wood that the management team decided to forgo restaining and simply seal and clear coat the natural wood. In addition, initial concerns about the possible accumulation of dust during the job, which used approximately 6 tons of media, proved groundless. Spent media on the floor and balconies was vacuumed up, and airborne particles were removed by means of an existing large exhaust fan. Containment was already in place on the outside of the building in preparation for lead paint removal, so the dust was simply collected later with the paint debris.

One additional benefit was derived from the job. Word spread to a local painters' union, which brought its apprentice class to the site to witness this "miracle process" in action and become familiar with the equipment. It's gratifying to know that – perhaps in the near future – ARMEX Cleaning and Coating Removal Systems could be a standard part of every refinisher's armamentarium.

Application Overview:

The giant eight-story Uniroyal tire on Route I-94 in Detroit is one of Motown's most memorable landmarks. Originally constructed as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 World's Fair in New York, the 80-foot steel structure was moved to its present location following the Fair, sheathed in fiberglass and painted to resemble a Uniroyal tire. Recently, French tire maker Michelin, which owns Uniroyal, initiated a project to convert the tire to a more contemporary 1990s all-season radial. This involved stripping the old paint from the tire's gelcoat and repainting it.

Substrate:

Fiberglass shell fastened to steel Ferris wheel.

Special Concerns:

The key concern was finding an effective removal process that would not damage the fiberglass or its gelcoat. Power washing would have proved slow and ineffective, while sand blasting would have etched and damaged the gelcoat. The ARMEX® Blast Media, on the other hand, provided the right combination of attributes for effective surface preparation. The ARMEX particles are shaper than the paint, but softer than the gelcoat. This allowed for thorough removal of the paint, while leaving the gelcoat intact. A single application removed the old paint and resulted in a 60-grit sandpaper finish ideal for paint adhesion.

In addition, because ARMEX media is environmentally benign, it did not cause disposal problems, such as those associated with sand.

Previous Methods:

None.

Project Schedule:

The project entailed stripping the inner section of the tire on both sides. Total surface area was 1,200 square feet. The paint removal process was accomplished in five working days with two to three workers. Total blast time was approximately 30 hours, during which the crew used 66 bags of media.

Equipment Specifications:

Paint removal was accomplished using the ACCUSTRIP SYSTEM® Model 13 and the ACCUSTRIP SYSTEM® Model 12X delivery devices, fitted with #8 nozzles. The media used was ARMEX® Maintenance XL formula with SupraKleen® Rinse Accelerator. The media was blasted dry at 70 psi at a distance of six to 12 inches from the substrate. A platform lift truck was used to enable workers to reach the tire's surface.

Containment:

No containment was used, as the tire sign was located in a private, fenced are far from buildings, cars and pedestrians.

Results/Benefits Summary:

The ARMEX® Cleaning and Coating Removal System provided the optimum surface preparation technology for paint removal over a gelcoat. While the giant Uniroyal tire us a very unique application, it is important to note that the paint removal techniques used are relevant to other paint removal jobs involving soft, composite materials, such as those used to construct cars, boats and other recreational vehicles.

After stripping the paint from the tire, the contractor rinsed away the ARMEX residue and began painting immediately.

The Black Hills region of South Dakota is one of the most scenic areas in the entire country. Great care is taken to blend man-made structures into the surrounding countryside to preserve the aesthetic appeal of the region. That's why, at the Keystone Wye 16 miles southeast of Rapid City where US 16A branches off from US16 and leads to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, you'll find a three-level complex of bridges made of wood.

The timber specified when these bridges were built in the late 1960's was dense select structural glued laminated Douglas Fir (Coast Region). All timber was treated, before glued lamination, with pentachlorophene borne in a liquid gas medium, which left the wood with a natural appearance. The final appearance was achieved by flood coating the timber with an oil stain in a redwood tone.

As the years went by, the bridges were painted several times with redwood-colored paint. The accumulation (and signs of failure) of this paint as well as the desire for a more "natural" wood color to blend with the Black Hills environment led to the plan to strip the bridges to the bare wood and completely refinish them. S.G. Pinney & Associates, a nationally known and very well-respected consulting and engineering firm, specified ARMEX Blast Media for the job.

Lew Vincent, president of S.G. Pinney, explained his reasons for choosing ARMEX. "First, we were familiar with it from the many other jobs we've used it for. We knew that ARMEX could remove the coatings without damaging the grain of the wood. Second, the positive environmental features of ARMEX were very important. With ARMEX, we [would have] no disposal problems of any kind." Another plus for the ARMEX/ACCUSTRIP process was that traffic on the bridges would experience minimal disruption while work was in progress; only one lane of the level being stripped would have to be closed. All other lanes could remain open.

Work began in early May. According to dean Boril of Wyoming Power Wash, the contractor on the job, ARMEX was blasted dry at 35-40 psi. the low pressure was used to avoid ingression of the media into the wood, raising the grain. The only handwork that had to be done after stripping with ARMEX involved removing old and failing caulking from joints and crevices. There was no hand sanding whatsoever required on the uncaulked wood surfaces stripped by the ARMEX/ACCUSTRIP process.

Five weeks and 28,000-sq. ft. of bare wood after the start of the project, stripping was complete and refinishing began. A clear-coat sealer was applied, followed by a cedar stain. Now totally refinished for the first time in 25 years, the beautiful wooden bridges at the Keystone Wye are monuments to the harmony that can be achieved between nature and technology.