Industrial Roof Decking & Walls

Summary
This provides methods for industrial cleaning of roof decking, bar joists, trusses and walls. In many cases, water use is restricted because of water-damage risk to machinery, equipment, inventory and/or electrical service.

The products and methods described in this recommendation have been used successfully in auto plants, supermarket distribution centers, food processing plants, paper mills, paper converting facilities, airline hangers, diesel truck garages, fabrication/welding and grinding shops and warehousing operations.

Soil composition and surface conditions vary widely among different types of facilities and can also vary within a single facility. In most cases, surfaces are previously painted and require the removal of unwanted dirt, dust, oil film, exhaust residue or combinations of these soils.

Product Selection

Equipment

• Airless sprayer with 3' gun extension
• Or, 2½ gal. plastic, tank-type garden sprayer
• Motorized lift, elevated platform or scaffolding
• Long-handled, soft-bristle, truck wash brush
• Rubber gloves
• Face shield or safety goggles with side shields
• Optional based on requirements
• Wet/dry vac or mop and bucket
• Compressed air or electric leaf blower

Procedure

• Select the Prepaint Cleaner most suitable for the requirements. Use trial samples for evaluation.
• Establish the solution concentration needed. See "Determining Concentration" section of this page.
• Mix Prepaint Cleaner with hot water, if available.
• Clean and dry one section at a time.
• Use a gun extension to increase reach.
• Use oil-free compressed air or an electric leaf blower to force dry the surface after cleaning.

Light to Medium Soil Conditions - In many cases, one-step cleaning of the surface is possible. The process involves applying sufficient solution to loosen the soil and flush it off the surface. An airless sprayer with an extension is recommended.

Roof Decking
-Spray in direction of channels or corrugation and work across bay forcing soil off the surface.
-Allow surface to dry then apply coating.

Walls
-Apply solution beginning at the bottom of the wall and work upward for the initial wetting of the wall. Once a vertical section has been prewet, spray from the top down, forcing soil down and off.
-Allow surface to dry then apply coating.

Heavy Soil Conditions

Roof Decking
-Prewet section with cleaning solution and allow 3-5 minutes contact time. Respray surface with solution in direction of channels and work across the bay forcing soil off the surface.
Walls
-Apply solution beginning at the bottom of the wall and work upward for the initial wetting of the wall. Allow 3-5 minute contact time, respray beginning at the top and working down, forcing soil down and off the wall.

Tips

• Use hot water if available as each +18ºF increase in solution temperature doubles cleaning rate.
• Use the minimum dilution of Prepaint Cleaner necessary to provide satisfactory results.

Determining Concentration

1. Mix 2 oz. of Prepaint Cleaner with 2 oz. water in a trigger spray bottle.
2. Apply to a test area representative of the surface to be cleaned. To test for one-step cleaning, continue to spray the solution onto the surface until the soil is flushed away. For heavy soil, spray the solution onto the surface, wait 3-5 minutes, respray with solution until soil is flushed away.
3. If the surface is clean, add 1 oz. of water to the solution and repeat step B, adding 1 oz. of water each time the test indicates that the surface is clean. When the solution becomes too weak to provide the desired result, use the previous, stronger dilution as the concentration for the job.

For Technical Assistance Call:
1-800-888-1105