[Matt Gibson]

Im after a good citrus based degreaser to help with some chewing gum removal. normally do small amounts but got a big job im trying to speed up.

its tarmac so cant use the normal solvent based degreasers.

any citrus based products you guys have used with success? Not just on gum but in general?

[Roland S]

No idea regarding gum but virosol is a good citrus based degreaser.

[TN Cleaning Services Ltd]

Prochem citrus gel is ok for gum removal but i use it on carpets.
Depends how much gum youre wanting to remove?

[TN Cleaning Services Ltd]

Virosol is good for larger areas for degreasing but wont remove gum

[Matt Gibson]

There is ALOT of gum. We are using a steamer too but looking for something to quicken the process. Most degreasers are good at removing gum but most are solvent based which will damage the tarmac. Hence why im looking for the citrus.

[Matt Gibson]

On further information, looks like citrus based products will damage the tarmac as well. Most of the products im looking at say they will remove tar spots 

[Kenny83]

what about normal caustic or non caustic degreaser? like tfr?

[Matt Gibson]

Yeah i thought about that. not sure about caustic but ive got some of both in my van. plus ive got some non solvent oil remover my chem guy gave me as a sample that im gonna try. we start back tomorrow night. I was just seeing if anyone had had any luck with a gum removal chem for tarmac. would save me a lot of  time but im happy to be the guinea pig

[Kenny83]

i've used caustic based for cleaning other things around tarmac and noticed it turns the water brown like it's taking something out of the tarma, although when ive rinsed it off theres nothing wrong with it, I would use a non caustic to be safe 
Did you get the hotbox sorted mate?

[Matt Gibson]

There is a lot of gum so im going to try a few things and try and make it easier.

as for the hotbox, spoke to a local repair guy and he talked me through a few tests. when i turn the power switch on the motor doesnt power up which means the fan/fuel pump arent working. apparently he said that even when the boiler is not firing, the motor should be working and the fan should be spinning. which it isnt. took the fuel pump off and it spins freely. im guessing it an electrical fault.

[Nameless Drudge]

What about these colloidal micelles degreasers that are supposed to be powerful yet all  lovely and eco friendly.


http://www.store.wisesolutions.net/heavy-duty-cleaner-degreaser-237.html

I`ve been hunting for something that would be safe to clean render at height in a public place so came across these "micelles" cleaners.
That was after getting in touch with monocouche.co.uk to try and find out what the monoclean rxf was that they use and the only info i got was that it was eco friendly.Also they use it as part of their monomend system so basically its not a be all and end all as they are going to paint/treat/coat the entire surface afterwards with the monomend anyway.
  Then when googling monoclean i found this,

http://www.monoclean.com/, which is fancy human breast milk or similar. So i remain in a permanent state of confusion and apologise for posting without providing a solution.

[Nameless Drudge]

Colloidal Micelles Technology
 
Colloidal Micelles Technology is one of the century’s most promising advances in environmental science. Colloidal chemistry makes possible the conversion of plant extracts into powerful, yet surprisingly mild solutions that dissolve oil, grease and stains. These natural plant extracts are based on a combination of soy, grains, potatoes and coconut, which together are processed into new particles called Micelles. By utilising Micelles JSK have been able to provide their clients with a range of superior cleaning products.
 
The Collidial Micelles Products include
 ■Bio Kleen Multi Surface Cleaner & Sanitiser
 ■Bio Kleen Heavy Duty Degreaser
 ■Bio Kleen Tar,

This is from the website of JSK Cleaning,note the Bio Kleen Tar Gum &Label Remover,he is on here as Tadgh O Shea. Interesting,if its not solvent based though thats not to say it won`t turn tarmac to gravel!,

link to his site,

http://www.jskcleaning.ie/

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers mate, I've sent him an email.

I have come across a lot of gum removers that also say they will remove tar spots. My problem is, if it can remove tar spots, im sure it will destroy the tarmac as well.

[Kenny83]

what about your capacitor? check that to see if it's mis shaped or bulging in any way
I was on a chewing gum job with Lee blastaway once, mine wouldn't work, I was p@@sing about with it for about an hour, could get it working at all..... turns out it was the fuse in the extension plug had blew!  swapped plugs and jobs a good en  it's always the sinple things that seem to be the cause when you spend most the time looking for a more technical fault

[Matt Gibson]

Capacitor is fine.. well it looks fine anyway. mines hardwired into my machine control box. all the separate parts look in good nick. im guessing its a wiring issue but your right, its going to be something easy. im calling the repair guy tomorrow to book him in to test it all.

[BDCS]

Not citrus but give janitol rapide a try - I cleaned a diesel spill on tarmac following a call from the old bill after a RTA and it came up nicely

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers mate, ill give it a try. I get a lot of tarmac jobs so im apways on the lookout for tarmac safe chems to use for different things.

By the way, i got your diagram.. easy to follow thanks mate 

[Roger Oakley]

Not citrus but give janitol rapide a try - I cleaned a diesel spill on tarmac following a call from the old bill after a RTA and it came up nicely

How does that product handle thinner oils Carl?

[BDCS]

Roger I only keep the Janitol to use in the gum machine instead of the proper fluid as Lee suggested but being caustic instead of solvant I used it on the tarmac job. Some swede on a ZXR rode into the diesel tank of a lorry that was turning right winning a air ambulance ride. I gets a call just as I was finishing a pigeon guano and deck job so I got the long haired general to bring the Janitol as it was the closest to hand without going to the farm. I would think it would do a reasonable job on concrete but I did a tail lift oil spill for geo post recently and used Comma hypoclean with really good results on just cold, it had been down about 3 weeks. I have had very few challenging oil spills of late and the snide tech clean oil remover is still in the garage.

[Matt Gibson]

So caustic based chems are safe to use on tarmac? It wont stain?