removing mastic from commercial glue down

Hey guys I just had a customer call wanting me to take mastic out of commercial glue down carpet.  Any ideas.  I am pretty sure a citrus solvent will work but pretty sure it will remove the glue that holds the carpet down.

Thanks

first don't own their problem

this can sometimes be some thing that takes just more than one shot

first try and put a solvent or rubbing alcohol on a towel then apply to carpet then hit it with the truck mount.

This can become an ongoing problem for some time as after you clean it looks great you think you got it then weeks or months down the road soil attracts to where the tape was.

Odin gave great advice: Don't own their problem.

Mastics are designed to be waterproof and highly resistant, so you will not be able to get a quick fix. You could try pro-solve or any other gel-based solvent for small areas along with a razor to scrape it away, but if we are talking about something larger...just replace the carpet panels and remind them to hire people more careful with such materials in the future (laying down a drop cloth and masking).

One the biggest lessons I learned after a few years of frustration is that you don't always get to be the hero. Sometimes, you just have to accept sound limits.

This may be a stupid idea, but I use liquid nitrogen at times on adhesives. I spray, then vacuum, then spray, then vacuum, etc.

REALCLEAN wrote:This may be a stupid idea, but I use liquid nitrogen at times on adhesives.  I spray, then vacuum, then spray, then vacuum, etc.

Not a stupid idea at all...

Ok you know where I can get some liquid nitrogen. I would like to give that a try but I have no idea where to buy that

Call these guys

http://www.praxair.com/store-locator

you can also use the gum freeze spray

For liquid nitrogen, buy a can of compressed air used for dusting keyboards. Put the straw in it, turn it upside down, and spray. Only liquid nitrogen comes out.

would the compressed air can method be concentrated enough to freeze the mastic?

Danb wrote:would the compressed air can method be concentrated enough to freeze the mastic?

Yes. It'll burn you big time if you're not careful.

Pretty sure the air cans have butane in them, not liquid nitrogen. Don't have one at my desk to see for sure though.

I am sure though, they get cold enough to do the job.

Liquid nitrogen doesn't get you high if you huff it. That's why they added bitterant to those air can because kids were huffing them.

thought it was just compressed air

Probably right. I just guessed it was nitrogen since its inert. But its really cold whatever it is.

Do be careful. I once used a can of compressed air to spray some air into a cast on my arm during a 103 degree day. Felt great at first and then it started to burn...left a freeze burn about 8 inches long on my arm.

And yes, I know, this was a stupid thing to do.  

milspec6 wrote:Do be careful.  I once used a can of compressed air to spray some air into a cast on my arm during a 103 degree day.  Felt great at first and then it started to burn...left a freeze burn about 8 inches long on my arm.

And yes, I know, this was a stupid thing to do.  

You know for some reason I thought you were a serious dude but you crack me sometimes

Difluoroethane

Good call freemind.

If the glue is not to old and deep in the pile,i have had good luck by scrubbing them out with hot water and a CRB.

Solution:

This mastic was soy based so came out fairly easy. I apologize for not taking pictures. The customer had already taken out the bigger pieces, what was left upon my arrival was ground into the carpet. We used dissolve by cleanrite and did a couple test patches and it came right out. So we loaded our prespray with dissolve and used the 360i and it came out pretty nice. Customer was extremely happy. Thanks for all the advice guys I really do appreciate it.

Soy-based? I wouldn't have guessed that one...very professional job, sir.