Twenty years ago I had a kitchen/lab with about 2,500 acids, alkalies, solvents, powders, polymers, wiping cloths, and more. My stainless steel sink was VERY badly stained. I am surprised my landlord didn't make me replace it when I got married and moved out. Those were the days. There were things I came up with then that I never wrote down. Things that might be viable commercial products today. I also discovered so many things by pure accident. Like the tests I developed for abrasive and chemical damage to glass surfaces. And the crazing and hazing affects on acrylic and polycarbonate. I stayed up late working on stuff I can't even remember now. I was a regular at the local glass shop constantly buying brand new window glass and mirror. Only to bring it home and waste it with chemicals and abrasives. I had Window Cleaners send me pieces of windows taken from buildings they were working on so I could come up with the best way to fix the surface damage. I had pieces of windows taken from some very famous buildings. Which had pyrolytic coatings that had been "invisibly" damaged by certain acids. So much fun!
What I want to do now is make many of these ingredients available to you. I am now involved in product development. Some of my products will be coming to market soon. Only because I am now working with a manufacturer who is a very dynamic man that wants to help in a large way. But I want to give you the chance to join in the fun. Come go with me as the old timers down in South Carolina used to say. But I literally mean it!
So send me an email. Don't just read these posts. Get involved too. Tell me what you are thinking about. Lets talk.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
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Thursday, January 29, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Superhydrophobic Window Cleaning
The difference between superhydrophobic and hydrophobic is like night and day. The Water Fed Pole experts among us look down on hydrophobic surfaces with much disdain. And for good reason. As much as they try, these surfaces still cling to water leaving millions of very fine water drops. Which can leave deposits if the rinse water does not have an ultra low TDS, or is contaminated by something else. Because of this they are more in favor of hydrophylic glass which is water loving. This causes water to come together in large sheets and run off the glass slowly taking all of these little drops with it. But even this surface is not truly hydrophylic. In reality it is a blend of both hydrophylic and hydrophobic. You see the water loving/hating properties of all glass surfaces is measured by the contact angle or the CA. Getting that right for a water fed pole is a bit tricky. Not that it can't be done. Using the right chemistry and technique it should be quite possible. But consider the advantages of a truly "super" hydrophobic surface. I want to draw attention to this technology because recently there has been more progress in building this animal.
A man called Chunlei Guo professor of optics at the University of Rochester has developed a superhydrophobic surface on metals using a fempto-second laser. Such a device it is claimed is capable of creating the heat power equal to the wattage of the entire North American power grid. Using this type of laser Chunlei Guo has been able to create a unique pattern of micro and nanoscopic structures on metal that are intrinsically part of the metal surface. This process is quite different from those in use today that rely on chemistry. This is rather physical optics. The superhydrophobic effects of a laser etched metal surface are much more enhanced then those of a chemically treated metal surface. This type of surface is also not subject to "wearing off" since it truly is a part of the metal In fact it IS that metal. It is a reshaping of that metal surface. So it is far less likely to degrade over time.
Since the contact angle (CA) of this type of surface is at least 150 degrees, if you were to use a water fed pole to clean it you would not have to be concerned about leaving little drops of water behind. First there shouldn't be much dirt on it to begin with because superhydrophobic surfaces are considered self cleaning. If you were to clean with a WFP it would not take very long. It should happen at lightning speed.
Implementing this technology on metals is quite acceptable. But using it on glass is not. At least not at this time from what I have read. The problem lies in the need to create a double pattern on the glass surface. The first pattern laid down is microscopic. The second is nanoscopic. This unique double pattern is what produces the superhydrophobic effect. In fact, the pattern is critically necessary to create a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle in excess of 150 degrees. HOWEVER. It also interferes with incident light. That is any visible light striking the surface is scattered in such a way as to produce a kind of haze, or translucence. No one wants their windows to be translucent unless they ordered them that way! They want them to be transparent. Or as we put it, crystal clear.
I don't doubt that someday soon someone will develop a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle (CA) of 150 degrees for transparent window glass. But it will have to be transparent, and relative inexpensive. I haven't mentioned many of the benefits of such a surface. But there are many. Especially for window glass. To make my point all I have to do is reference a project going on right now in Israel. Where a million square feet of glass are being treated with a product called Enduroshield. This is a chemical hydrophobic coating. The suggested application cost is around three bux per square foot. The cost to the contractor is about fifty cents per square foot. Even if those figures are somewhat inaccurate, I think you would still agree that the end cost to the owner will still be quite high. That cost must match the level of perceived value. So what do you think? Is there a market for superhydrophobic window glass?
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like to receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
A man called Chunlei Guo professor of optics at the University of Rochester has developed a superhydrophobic surface on metals using a fempto-second laser. Such a device it is claimed is capable of creating the heat power equal to the wattage of the entire North American power grid. Using this type of laser Chunlei Guo has been able to create a unique pattern of micro and nanoscopic structures on metal that are intrinsically part of the metal surface. This process is quite different from those in use today that rely on chemistry. This is rather physical optics. The superhydrophobic effects of a laser etched metal surface are much more enhanced then those of a chemically treated metal surface. This type of surface is also not subject to "wearing off" since it truly is a part of the metal In fact it IS that metal. It is a reshaping of that metal surface. So it is far less likely to degrade over time.
Since the contact angle (CA) of this type of surface is at least 150 degrees, if you were to use a water fed pole to clean it you would not have to be concerned about leaving little drops of water behind. First there shouldn't be much dirt on it to begin with because superhydrophobic surfaces are considered self cleaning. If you were to clean with a WFP it would not take very long. It should happen at lightning speed.
Implementing this technology on metals is quite acceptable. But using it on glass is not. At least not at this time from what I have read. The problem lies in the need to create a double pattern on the glass surface. The first pattern laid down is microscopic. The second is nanoscopic. This unique double pattern is what produces the superhydrophobic effect. In fact, the pattern is critically necessary to create a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle in excess of 150 degrees. HOWEVER. It also interferes with incident light. That is any visible light striking the surface is scattered in such a way as to produce a kind of haze, or translucence. No one wants their windows to be translucent unless they ordered them that way! They want them to be transparent. Or as we put it, crystal clear.
I don't doubt that someday soon someone will develop a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle (CA) of 150 degrees for transparent window glass. But it will have to be transparent, and relative inexpensive. I haven't mentioned many of the benefits of such a surface. But there are many. Especially for window glass. To make my point all I have to do is reference a project going on right now in Israel. Where a million square feet of glass are being treated with a product called Enduroshield. This is a chemical hydrophobic coating. The suggested application cost is around three bux per square foot. The cost to the contractor is about fifty cents per square foot. Even if those figures are somewhat inaccurate, I think you would still agree that the end cost to the owner will still be quite high. That cost must match the level of perceived value. So what do you think? Is there a market for superhydrophobic window glass?
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like to receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Mirrors Are an Opportunity!
So many businesses have them! Jewelry shops, restaurants, hair salons, motels and hotels, drug stores, gyms, and dance studios. Ask anyone how much they enjoy cleaning them and you will NOT get a favorable response. That is because they usually are large area mirrors. Some might be in the direct sun. Further no one knows how to clean mirrors with a squeegee. But did you know they can be easily cleaned without a squeegee using a solution of H2O2? The idea is to first clean them with a squeegee using a cleaner loaded with a hydrophobic organosilane. This creates a water hating surface in no more time than it takes to simply clean with our tradition tools. Then once the glass has been treated they can be cleaned with a solution of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and a huck towel. The cleaning takes place with a swivel applicator and the cleaning solution. Then they are wiped dry with a huck towel on a flat tool connected to a pole with a universal joint. In the janitorial world this is called a doodle bug. In the paint world it is a wall sander. In our industry Wiljer Textiles has some quality flat tools. But of course the Reach It Pole is the best for any type of outside or inside work involving high windows, mirrors, or partition glass.
Now we can get creative. Since this new surface will not be subject to the UVC radiation from the sun or alkali attack from concrete or hard water spots;...it should last a long time. Probably years. But you could offer to come in and "treat" the mirrors as you clean them once every three months. Then the employees could maintain them using hydrogen peroxide. It could be all they need to do is add a bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide from the drug store in a gallon of pure distilled water. Sell them a Swivel applicator with a Wiljer sleeve and a pole. Then show them how to use a huck towel on a flat tool. Or they could just wipe dry by hand using a huck towel. This entire process could be demonstrated at no cost. Of course they won't be able to apply the organosilane themselves. Only we possess the chemical and know how to apply it.
Another opportunity might exist in first doing the demonstration. Then offering to set up the mirrors for free once only. In exchange for the window cleaning/maintenance contract. If there is a need to reapply in the future then you would price the mirrors. Another idea would be to just offer to clean the mirrors on a regular basis like you would the windows. You might even have some mirrors already on your route. Your customers might be waiting to have you give them a quote.
If you are creative I am sure you will come up with some other variations on this plan. I would certainly never apply a glass treatment to the inside of window glass. Because it would promote a filming effect. Yet mirrors, or railing/partition glass would work fine. The bottom line here is there is an opportunity just waiting to be explored.
If you would like to get into this sideline just send me an email.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like to receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
Now we can get creative. Since this new surface will not be subject to the UVC radiation from the sun or alkali attack from concrete or hard water spots;...it should last a long time. Probably years. But you could offer to come in and "treat" the mirrors as you clean them once every three months. Then the employees could maintain them using hydrogen peroxide. It could be all they need to do is add a bottle of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide from the drug store in a gallon of pure distilled water. Sell them a Swivel applicator with a Wiljer sleeve and a pole. Then show them how to use a huck towel on a flat tool. Or they could just wipe dry by hand using a huck towel. This entire process could be demonstrated at no cost. Of course they won't be able to apply the organosilane themselves. Only we possess the chemical and know how to apply it.
Another opportunity might exist in first doing the demonstration. Then offering to set up the mirrors for free once only. In exchange for the window cleaning/maintenance contract. If there is a need to reapply in the future then you would price the mirrors. Another idea would be to just offer to clean the mirrors on a regular basis like you would the windows. You might even have some mirrors already on your route. Your customers might be waiting to have you give them a quote.
If you are creative I am sure you will come up with some other variations on this plan. I would certainly never apply a glass treatment to the inside of window glass. Because it would promote a filming effect. Yet mirrors, or railing/partition glass would work fine. The bottom line here is there is an opportunity just waiting to be explored.
If you would like to get into this sideline just send me an email.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like to receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
Monday, January 5, 2015
Cleaning Glass with Sodium Metasilicate
Otherwise known as "water glass". It is usually sold as a TSP substitute. A 100% pure product from the hardware store or a paint supply shop comes as white crystals, and looks like table salt. But the reality is, it is a VERY powerful alkali! When cleaning with it I will usually only add a teaspoon to four gallons of water. Then I will add a synthetic detergent like Dawn since syn-dets tend to keep it from leaving deposits. Dawn has not more than one percent sodium hydroxide. Which is also a powerful alkali. I wrote a post about this chemical also. When SMS is used without a soap such as Dawn it has the tendency to leave a residue on the glass that is difficult to remove. The spots left behind are also difficult to remove. This is because they are in effect what I like to call artificial water spots. Or mineral deposits. They are sodium silicate deposits which are very similar to the chemistry of glass. Of course such stains are relatively easy to remove with a little rubbing using a silica based compound or cerium oxide in water.
As a cleaner SMS is very powerful at removing even years of organic film. Such as car exhaust on aluminum window frames at gas stations. But I always suggest using rubber gloves since it will dry out your skin or worse. When used at higher concentrations it will remove screen burn from window glass. But again use extreme caution. Never let it get on your skin or in your eyes.
One more word on using SMS to remove screen burn. I will mix it with water at about a 5 to 10 percent solution in water. Then I will add about 10 percent silica powder. This is an experimental product that I can sell to you at 20 dollars per pound including shipping. Further I will use four zero steel wool. This is a VERY powerful combination for removing even the worst screen burn. Just remember to use extreme caution. One more word of caution. I suggest looking up the MSDS on silica powder. The dangers are greatly reduced when it is used in a liquid form. In other words when it is put in water. But you should never use it dry since you could breath it in. This type of repeated exposure can cause silicosis which is cancer causing.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like these posts to come in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
As a cleaner SMS is very powerful at removing even years of organic film. Such as car exhaust on aluminum window frames at gas stations. But I always suggest using rubber gloves since it will dry out your skin or worse. When used at higher concentrations it will remove screen burn from window glass. But again use extreme caution. Never let it get on your skin or in your eyes.
One more word on using SMS to remove screen burn. I will mix it with water at about a 5 to 10 percent solution in water. Then I will add about 10 percent silica powder. This is an experimental product that I can sell to you at 20 dollars per pound including shipping. Further I will use four zero steel wool. This is a VERY powerful combination for removing even the worst screen burn. Just remember to use extreme caution. One more word of caution. I suggest looking up the MSDS on silica powder. The dangers are greatly reduced when it is used in a liquid form. In other words when it is put in water. But you should never use it dry since you could breath it in. This type of repeated exposure can cause silicosis which is cancer causing.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
If you would like these posts to come in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Glass Treatments Can Cause a Filming Effect
OK. Which glass treatment do you prefer to use to create an "Easy Clean" glass surface? There have been probably a hundred different products brought to market over the last forty years! So we have had lots of time to treat lots of glass. Yet they can all be divided into two different categories. Hydrophobic (water hating), and hydrophylic (water loving). Hydrophobic surfaces which cause water to bead up are great if you intend on cleaning with a microfiber cloth by hand or with a pad on a pole. Just wet with an applicator then wipe dry. If you use a solution that is not based on any detergents, you will get a crystal clear result. But. If you intend on cleaning with a water fed pole then your answer lies in a hydrophylic coating or glass treatment. When such a water loving treatment is applied to the outside of a window the rinse water from a water fed pole will tend to sheet out and then come together again running off the glass completely. Leaving very few drops of water behind. Which could leave spots depending on the quality of your rinse water. So the less drops the less spotting.
There is absolutely a market for both of these two different treatments. Which are also called nano coats. They are usually only a few molecules deep. However they are all subject to a very interesting effect that I have yet to see addressed in any article. Which effect can be seen on either side of a window. If you are applying a hydrophobe to the outside simply know that in the summer time the outside might develop a film. That is if the building has good central air conditioning. This film that I mention is a condensation of microscopic airborne particulates and or gaseous fumes. It always develops on the warmer side. Any type of thin film on glass enhances this effect. It is the reason why the inside of restaurant and garage windows always become more filmy in the cold months when you use a detergent based cleaning solution. This effect is also true if you were to apply a hydrophylic (water loving) coating to the inside. In the colder months especially such a glass treatment will cause a film to develop in a matter of days. Now this is not so much of a problem if the building has double paned insulating glass units. Because the inside lite will not be as cold. But if it has only single paned windows look out. Because this film can develop in a matter of only a single week. Of course it can be removed every time you clean the windows. But if the customer notices it as a "new thing", then you might be asked to "fix" the "problem". On the bright side mirrors are almost always exclusive to this effect. They are fixed to the wall with a one quarter inch air space behind them for circulation. As a result the glass on both sides is identical to the ambient temperature of the room.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
To receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right "Follow by Email".
There is absolutely a market for both of these two different treatments. Which are also called nano coats. They are usually only a few molecules deep. However they are all subject to a very interesting effect that I have yet to see addressed in any article. Which effect can be seen on either side of a window. If you are applying a hydrophobe to the outside simply know that in the summer time the outside might develop a film. That is if the building has good central air conditioning. This film that I mention is a condensation of microscopic airborne particulates and or gaseous fumes. It always develops on the warmer side. Any type of thin film on glass enhances this effect. It is the reason why the inside of restaurant and garage windows always become more filmy in the cold months when you use a detergent based cleaning solution. This effect is also true if you were to apply a hydrophylic (water loving) coating to the inside. In the colder months especially such a glass treatment will cause a film to develop in a matter of days. Now this is not so much of a problem if the building has double paned insulating glass units. Because the inside lite will not be as cold. But if it has only single paned windows look out. Because this film can develop in a matter of only a single week. Of course it can be removed every time you clean the windows. But if the customer notices it as a "new thing", then you might be asked to "fix" the "problem". On the bright side mirrors are almost always exclusive to this effect. They are fixed to the wall with a one quarter inch air space behind them for circulation. As a result the glass on both sides is identical to the ambient temperature of the room.
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com
To receive these posts in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right "Follow by Email".
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