Masonry Magazine April 1980 Page. 42
NEW YORK LANDMARK
continued from page 41
to see it returned to its original elegance, theories on procedures varied widely.
Boyer explained that before actual work took place on the building, ProSoCo conducted a series of tests using various cleaning materials and techniques. The objective of the tests was to determine the best method of removing layers of accumulated dirt and grime while in no manner inflicting structural damage to the venerable building.
Boyer noted that during this test phase, several unusual reactions occurred at the building. In one instance, a solvent initially produced satisfactory cleaning results, only to cause a brown discoloration of the terra cotta several days later. In another test, no cosmetic damage was noted, but cleaning results were unsatisfactory. "This phase of the Alwyn Court operation can be best described as the detective period," said Boyer, "for it was only after repeated trial and evaluation that we were able to come up with a cleaning technique that produced the sought-after results, and met with total approval of all concerned parties."
Combination of Products Used
The method now being used at Alwyn Court involves several steps and a combination of cleaning products. First, the building was treated with Sure Klean Limestone Prewash. This, as the name implies, is a precleaning treatment designed to break down heavily imbedded grime and dirt. Developed recently by ProSoCo, and formulated especially for use on urban buildings, this product has the advantage of unusual dirt removal, while being safe for older masonry surfaces.
In the case of Alwyn Court, the prewash was allowed to remain on the building for approximately one hour and was followed by a washing under high pressured water. The washing was followed by an application of Sure Klean Restoration Cleaner. In addition to its cleaning properties, the restoration cleaner neutralizes the masonry surface, thus preventing any discoloration from oxidation. The restoration cleaner was then simply washed away with cold water removing all traces of dirt and without more costly and potentially damaging steam-cleaning or sandblasting techniques.
"The final results at Alwyn Court have been enormously satisfying," concluded Boyer. "Not just to us professionally, but to thousands of New Yorkers who have followed the progress as one of their favorite landmarks has returned to them as sparkling and as exciting as it was almost a century ago."
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Advertisers' Index
LET THEM KNOW YOU SAW IT IN MASONRY
AA Wire Products Co. 34
Anchor Manufacturing Co. 41
Arcal Chemicals, Inc. 37
Automatic Devices, Inc. 12
Fred Beyer & Co. 41
Bil-Jax, Inc. 39
W.R. Bonsal Co. 19
Bullard Abrasive Products 4
Chim-A-Lator Co. 40
Essick Manufacturing Co.. Division of A-T-O, Inc. 35
The General, Inc. 15
Gilson Brothers Co. 38
INA Property-Casualty Group 16
International Masonry Institute 8
I-XL, Inc. 36
Kem-O-Kleen, Inc. 6
Koehring Compaction & General Equipment Group... 4th Cover
MCAA Industry Tour 3rd Cover
Mayco Pump Corp. 31
George Mayer Manufacturing Inc. (Queen Air) 25
Morgen Manufacturing Co. 2nd Cover
Non-Stop Scaffolding 32
Patent Scaffolding Co. 7
Prime-Mover Co., Division Hon Industries 20
Pro Products, Inc. 40
Sperry New Holland 5
Stone Center ..42
Stone Mountain Manufacturing Co. 38
Target Products Division, Federal-Mogul Corp. 26
This Index is published as a convenience to the reader. Every precaution is taken to make it accurate, but Masonry assumes no responsibilities for errors or omissions.
Classified Advertising
For Sale
Motorola Two-Way Mobile Radio Equipment-Base, Mobile, Mobile Telephone and Portables available on your frequency complete with all accessories with a Mobile Technical Service 90-Day Warranty on all parts and labor. Contact: H. Martin Gillmon, (303) 741-2749 (call collect or write for best prices), Mobile Technical Service Corp., 6019 S. Kenton Way, Englewood, CO 80111.
For Sale
One (1) Condor Man-Lift, 40 foot high range. Contact Jack at 1-215-279-5745.
42 MASONRY/APRIL, 1980