Stain Removers (Poultice) (Discontinued)

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Alpha® Stain Removers are premixed poultices designed for easy application. Simply mix with water, apply to the stained area and cover with plastic for 24 hours. As the stain remover dries it draws the stain from the stone. Alpha® Stain Removers afford an easy solution to common stain problems and can be used on interior as well as exterior applications. Also, Alpha® Stain Removers are easily used on horizontal or vertical applications. Professionals and homeowners will love the results they achieve using these stain removers. Alpha Professional Tools® removed the difficulty of mixing specific chemicals to obtain the correct poultice for a specific type of stain by pre-mixing specific poultices. Alpha® Stain Removers are available in two types. Each type is designed for specific types of stains. It is vital that the stain be properly identified before selecting the type of stain remover. It is also necessary to identify where the stain originated from in order to prevent it from reoccurring. Difficult stains may require more than one application before the stain is successfully removed. Alpha® Stain Removers are safe and will not affect the surface of the stone. Alpha® General Stain Remover Designed for the removal of most organic based stains, such as, oil, coffee, tea and food stains. Alpha® General Stain Remover will remove most common stains with ease. Alpha® Rust Stain Remover Designed to remove ferrous oxide (rust) stains caused by iron, copper, bronze or other metals. It is important to remember that iron is sometimes present in most types of natural stones and stains from these natural iron minerals will be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Question : How do I dispose of used poultices?

Answer : This depends on what chemical was used in the poultice. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which is supplied with the product should describe how to dispose of the chemical.

Question : What’s the difference between the following two products supplied by Alpha Professional Tools®? Alpha® Rust Poultice and RSR-2000 (rust stain remover in gel form)?

Answer : Alpha® Rust Poultice is a powder poultice, which needs to be mixed with water when making the poultice into a paste. This poultice paste generally takes an average of 24 hours in order to remove the stain. Also, powder poultice may take several applications before removing the stain from the stone, which may take several days. Alpha® RSR-2000 comes in gel form already premixed for immediate use. RSR-2000 takes an average of 5 – 10 minutes to remove the rust stain from the stone.

Question : Can a poultice be used outdoors?

Answer : Yes. Be sure to cover it with plastic in case of rain. The poultice may also dry too rapidly outdoors. In this case, try covering it with black plastic to block the sunlight.

Question : What is the ideal temperature for a poultice to be applied?

Answer : There is no ideal temperature; however, a poultice will work best at temperatures above 75 degrees (F). Do not apply a poultice in temperatures below freezing.

Question : When I remove the poultice, the area on the material is darker than the rest of the material.

Answer : This dark area on the material where the poultice was positioned could be moisture within the material. Keep this area dry for about 48 hours and the moisture should evaporate allowing the stone to become its natural color once again.

Question : If I seal a stone with an impregnator and the stone becomes stained, will a poultice work?

Answer : Yes. A poultice should work as long as the stained occurred after the stone was sealed. If the stain was present before the sealer was applied, there is a good chance the stain will be sealed into the stone making removal difficult. In this case, the sealer will have to be removed by first using a strong solvent such as methylene chloride, then applying a poultice to remove the stain.

Question : I am having trouble applying a poultice to a wall. It keeps running down. How can I get it to stick to the wall?

Answer : The easiest way to apply a poultice to a wall is to use less water in the poultice. This will keep it from sagging. You should also apply the poultice in a thin layer. Another technique is to apply the poultice to a piece of plastic first, then place the poultice and plastic combination on the wall with the poultice portion facing the wall. Immediately tape the bottom of the plastic and then the remaining sides. It may also help to place a piece of tape along the bottom of the plastic prior to placing it on the wall.

Question : I have a very large wall to poultice, several thousand square feet. How can I apply the poultice to this large area?

Answer : If you use a poultice that is fine enough, it can be sprayed on with a texture gun. Texture guns can be purchased at supply houses that specialize in stucco spraying. Mix a large quantity of poultice in a 5-gallon bucket using a slow rpm drill and mixing paddle. Pour the mixture into the spray gun hopper and spray.

Question : When I remove a poultice there seems to be a ring or halo around the stained area. How do I remove it?

Answer : A residue of poultice usually causes the halo or ring. Clean the halo area with the chemical you used in the poultice, and be sure to rinse it with plenty of water. If this does not remove the halo or ring, it is possible that the surrounding area is dirty and the poultice has cleaned the stained area. In this case, clean the entire area with a good heavy duty cleaner. Sometimes fabrication shops may use a coloring dye to make the surface of the stone darker than the original color. If a poultice is used to remove a stain on material which as been dyed, the dye will be removed from the stone also. If you remove a stain and after a couple of day’s notice the area which the poultice was on is lighter than the rest of the material, this may be a case which the stone was dyed. In this case please contact the place which this material was purchased for their suggestion.

Question : What are the recommendations for use of Alpha Professional Tools® Stain Protectors?

Answer :

Question : Who do I call for a Chemical Emergency concerning Alpha® poultice?

Answer : CHEMTREC at 800-424-9300 for spills, leaks, fire, exposure or accidents.

Question : What is a Poultice?

Answer : A poultice is an absorbent material applied to a surface to draw out a stain. It can be a powder, paper, or gel. The most common poultices in use today are powders. A number of powders are very absorbent and are ideal for stain removal. The following are some typical powders used in poultices. Clays (atteapulgite, kaolin, fullers earth) Talc Chalk (whiting) Sepiolite (hydrous magnesium silicate) Diatomaceous earth Methyl cellulose Flour

Question : What types of stains are Alpha® General Stain Remover designed for?

Answer : General Stain Remover Poultice is designed for the removal of organic based stains such as oil, coffee, tea & food stains.

Question : What types of stains are Alpha® Rust Stain Remover poultice designed for?

Answer : Rust Stain Remover poultice is designed to remove stains such as iron (rust), copper, and bronze.

Question : How long should I continue to poultice a stain?

Answer : There is no rule for the number of times that a stain needs to be poulticed. If the stain is slowly disappearing, continue poulticing. The average number of poultice applications will be about five.

Question : I have heard that using distilled water in a poultice is better than tap water. Is this true?

Answer : Yes. Use distilled water if it is available. Tap water can contain minerals such as chlorine, iron, and others that can retard stain removal.

Question : How important is it for a poultice to dry thoroughly?

Answer : It is very important. If the poultice is removed while it is still wet, it may not draw the stain from the stone. The drying action causes the stain to be removed.

Question : Can I speed up the drying time of poultice?

Answer : Yes. Only if the poultice has stayed wet for at least 12 hours. If the drying time is too rapid there may not be adequate time for the chemicals to react. Placing fans near the poultice can accelerate drying time.

Question : Can a poultice be used on other surfaces besides natural stone?

Answer : Yes. Most poultice powders can be used on any porous surface such as concrete, terrazzo, Mexican tile, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, etc.

Question : Once I remove a stain, what are the chances of it coming back?

Answer : This depends on how deep the stain is or what caused the stain in the first place. If the stain is coming from behind the stone, chances are it will come back. If this is the case and the stain reappears, replace the stone whenever possible.