Masonry Magazine November 2007 Page. 29
Water and more
Most handheld masonry tools simply clean with water. "In most cases, nothing more than water is required to keep the tools in top condition," says John Wight, VP of sales for Bon Tool Co. in Gibsonia, Pa.
As mason contractors well know, sometimes water isn't enough. Wight says in those cases, masons should ask their local tool distributors about chemicals designed specifically to prevent mortar from sticking as well as to help with mortar removal.
"If mortar has hardened on the tools, and water is not sufficient to remove it, muriatic acid can be used to clean the tools," he says. "This acid can cause damage, so it should be used sparingly and rinsed off thoroughly. Muriatic acid is not safe on aluminum, zinc or stainless steel."
Shelly Carney, VP of Gatorback Mortarboards in Lakeville, Minn., says her company's mortarboards clean easily with water, which is usually all that is needed.
"The mortarboard is designed to be maintenance free, other than a cleaning at the end of the day," Carney says. "If the mortar sits too long and builds up on the mortarboard, any kind of concrete dissolver will work to clean it."
A non-porous, smooth surface with a concave middle helps the mortarboard keep water in the mortar for greater workability, and the surface also simplifies cleaning, she says.
"Masonry mortar does not bond to the working surface," she says. "You might get a 1/8-inch thick skim coat, but it is easily removed by knocking the mortarboard on the ground or hitting it with a hammer," Carney says, noting that if water doesn't completely clean the surface, a heavy-duty cleaner will.
"Basically, you can use anything to clean our mortarboards. They're made from a special blend of polymer-based plastic materials, so it's not affected by muriatic acid or other cleaners."
Water is also the cleaning solution for larger tools, such as the "Hog" line of equipment from EZ Grout Corp. in Waterford, Ohio. "Typically, all that is needed to clean the Hog Slopper, Hog Cart, Hog Trough, and the Booger Hog is water," says Damian Lang, company owner and president. "In regards to the Hog Slopper or Hog Cart, if there is dried-on material, then some scraping would be necessary."
Any dried material should fall out of the Hog Trough when the tub is turned over and tapped with the flat side of a hammer, he says.
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November 2007
Masonry 27