cleaning concrete testing equip

[boffintech]

Does it pay to sandblast concrete testing equipment clean.

A slump cone with hardened concrete on the inside is out of spec. Wire brush? Labor intensive. Acid? Dangerous and leads to rust. Sandblasting? The slump cone is zinc plated on the outside. If this is removed it will have to be replaced or the cone will rust. Sandblast then paint it? The thing only cost $30. Throw it away?

Pressure meter and roll-a-meter. Sandblasting? And then do a seal kit... Or just send it out to someone that does this.

A table top sandblasting cabinet might be big enough to fit the stuff in and clean it up. But is it worth it?

What's the best way? Any ideas or opinions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[civilperson]

Clean with water and fiber brush while concrete is still plastic, (usually before making cylinders). Poor work habits can be modified with the tester replacing coated equipment at his own expense.

 

[boffintech]

Of course the idea is to have the techs clean the equipment with water and fiber brush while the concrete is still plastic; however, what if a tech quits or is terminated and the equipment needs to be cleaned?

"Poor work habits can be modified with the tester replacing coated equipment at his own expense."

Amen brother.

 

[gatorn10ac]

We use a side grider and wire brush. Labor intensive, sure but can save money. Sand blasting the air meters is ok if you re-spray them with a coating. Tech-Lab in Texas refinishes the air meters. Don't know how much.

 

[bb29510]

vinger

 

[Speedycrete]

Try some of this stuff:

http://www.romixchem.com/backset/

 

[Speedycrete]

I guess that link is dead. Try this:

http://www.romixchem.com/romix_cart/back_set.php?PHPSESSID=dedb161a07e62a5d93feb3691b268ee0

 

[HughL]

If you clean the kit on the same day it gets dirty a jetwash should be all you need when it is brought back to the lab.

regards Hugh

 

[MDL66]

Cleaning the slump cone is too labor intensive when you think about the replacement cost (25-30$). Emphasize good cleaning habits to your technicians up front. As for pressuremeters or roll-a-meters, sandblasting seems to be the way to go. Vinegar is not strong enough, and acids are dangerous and expensive to dispose of properly. We have a table-top spray booth that works very well. Once cleaned, spray paint the exterior of the meter, or lightly coat with WD40. The continued application of the WD40 will prevent build-up and painting will make future sandblasting easier. Don't coat the inside of the slump cone with anything as it may change the slump characteristics when testing.

MDL66

 

[spagetti]

In my lab we have a 5 gal bucket filed with cider vinegar, you put tjhe air pot in an friday and wipe it clean on monday. it works great for all tools and is very cheap, we change out the vinegar every 2 - 3 months after the initial cleaning, works good on all hand tools asa well and is non-destructive...NOTE do not put the top in it will eventually eat the seals in the pump.

 

[spagetti]

MDL66 SAYS TO USE WD-40 TO PROTECT THE AIR POT, I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE IT INSIDE THE AIR POT, WE TRIED THAT IN OUR LAB AND FOUND THAT THE WD-40 REACTS WITH THE AIRENTRAINMENT AND WE NOTED ABOUT A 1% LOSS IN AIR, COMPARED TO THE AIRPOT WITH NO WD-40. WE DIDN'T DO CORRALATIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT WITH DID DO A FEW SIDE BY SIDES.

 

[labboss]

Spagetti, your absolutely right. I guess i wasn't clear enough on that point. You shouldn't use the WD-40 on the inside of the equipment. But, when applied to the exterior, it minimizes the amount of concrete that can build-up on the meters. WD-40 is o.k. on the inside of steel cylinder or beam molds for a release agent.

Labboss a.k.a. - MDL66