Trial Number 0

Five alternative products were selected from the lab's database of testing results based on supplied client information. Products were selected based on buffing compound removal potential and compatibility with brass metal substrates. Each product was diluted to 5% in 250 ml beakers using DI water and heated to 130 F on a hot plate.

Fifteen preweighed coupons were coated with the Matchless Metal Polishing TSX Tripoli (1317-95-9) buffing compound by heating the buffing compound and rubbing it onto the surface of the coupons. Coupons were weighed a second time to determine the amount of buffing compound added. Three coupons were cleaned in each solution for five minutes using minimal stir bar agitation. Coupons were rinsed for 15 seconds in a tap water bath at 120 F and dried using a dry compressed air for 30 seconds. Once dry coupons were weighed a final time and product efficiencies were calculated.

One product removed over 95% of the buffing compound from the brass coupons after five minutes of immersion cleaning. Two other products removed around 70%. The last two products removed under half of the buffing compound. The following table lists the amount of buffing compound applied, the amount remaining and the efficiency for each coupon cleaned.

The three successful products will be retested at a higher temperature and/or higher concentrations to improve the cleaning efficiencies.