CLEANING UP AFTER METALIZING
Once metallizing is complete, it is very easy to clean up and store your LI System for the next use. Follow the instructions below:
Leftover sensitizer solution eventually develops a yellowish color, and diminishes in effectiveness over time. For this reason, leftover sensitizer solution cannot be saved for the next day of silvering, and must be discarded. To minimize solution waste, we recommend only mixing the quanitity of sensitizer you plan to use that day for silvering.
- Release the tank pressure by pulling up on the pressure release valve on the top of the tank.
- Unscrew the pump cylinder and place it on a clean paper towel to prevent any contamination.
- Place your runoff collection bucket on the floor, and empty the unused sensitizer solution from the tank into the bucket.
- Pour a few ounces of zero TDS water into the tank.
- Re-insert the pump cylinder into the tank, and tighten securely.
- Pressurize the sprayer by pumping the cylinder approximately 20-25 times, until resistance is felt.
- Spray the wand into the bucket, until the tank runs completely empty.
Any remaining zero TDS water can be left in the pump sprayer for up to 3 days. If left longer than 3 days, the quality of the water should be checked with your TDS meter to ensure it still reads (.000) before using it again.
Unlike sensitizer, leftover B1/B2 and C1/C2 solutions can be saved and used for up to 3 days. After 3 days, the remaining solutions should be discarded; following the same procedure as sensitizer.
- Release the tank pressure by pulling up on the pressure release valve on the top of the tank.
- Unscrew the pump cylinder and place it on a clean paper towel to prevent any contamination.
- Place your runoff collection bucket on the floor, and empty the unused B1/B2 and C1/C2 solution from the tank into the bucket.
- Pour a few ounces of zero TDS water into the tank.
- Re-insert the pump cylinder into the tank, and tighten securely.
- Pressurize the sprayer by pumping the cylinder approximately 20-25 times, until resistance is felt.
- Spray the wand into the bucket, until the tank runs completely empty.
It is normal for the top of the service cart to accumulate brownish-black silver overspray during the metalizing process. This residue doesn’t do any harm being left on the equipment; however, sometimes it is nice to clean up the system and make it look like new.
To clean the overspray residue, use swimming pool chlorine (diluted 50% with water) in a spray bottle. Spray the top of the table, and allow the chlorine to sit for a few minutes and dissolve the leftover brownish-black silver residues. Scrub the table top with an abrasive pad to remove more stubborn residues.
After using chlorine, be sure to rinse the table top thoroughly with water from a garden hose; so that no residual chlorine is left behind.
Always wear safety goggles and rubber gloves for protection.
