HoldTight®102
salt remover / flash rust inhibitor

Frequently Asked Questions: mix ratios

1. Q. What's the mix ratio (water to HoldTight®102) for a 48-120 hour flash-free window and elimination of most or all soluble salts? (Use potable water: Very hard water or water high in chlorides is not recommended: consult HoldTight Solutions Technical staff if water quality is a problem.)

A. For wet or water abrasive blasting (water injection, slurry, "water ring")

Blast cycle. Start with 250:1. If flash occurs, decrease water portion (increase HoldTight®102 portion) in 50:1 or 100:1 increments until there is no flash (e.g., 150:1; 100:1; 50:1) NOTE: If blast water is not under pressure or is not accelerated through a venturi nozzle, start with 100:1. This is typically the case with an external water ring apparatus. For small jobs in which changing ratios is impractical or for jobs in which soluble salt contamination and moisture in the air is known to be quite high, start with 100:1 or 50:1.

Wash down (rinse) cycle. Begin as soon as practical after the blast. Start with 50:1 with wash down water of at least 500 p.s.i. and water flow rate of at least 2 g.p.m. If wash down water is 2000+ p.s.i. at 2+ g.p.m, start with 100:1. Then increase water portion (or decrease HoldTight®102) until flash appears or appears before you wish it to (i.e., until your blast window is unsatisfactory).

For UHP water jetting (water with little or no abrasive at 25,000+ p.s.i.)

Blast cycle. (optional) (applicable if, and only if, pump manufacturer approves.) Start with 250:1. If flash occurs, decrease water portion (increase HoldTight®102 portion) until there is no flash

Wash down (rinse) cycle. Begin as soon as practical after the blast. If HoldTight®102 was used in blast cycle, start with 200:1. If HoldTight®102 was not used in blast cycle, start with 100:1. (In either case, wash down water pressure should be at least 500 p.s.i. with a water flow rate of at least 2 g.p.m..).

If the surface is highly contaminated with chlorides and/or the water is very hard and/or the surface is deeply pitted or profiled and/or weather conditions are marginal, it may be necessary to decrease water and increase HoldTight®102 from the recommended start ratios to 100:1 or 50:1, respectively.

For dry blasting (wash down only, of course)

Start with 50:1. Wash down pressure should be no less than 500 p.s.i. at 2+ g.p.m. 1,500+ p.s.i. is highly recommended. Then increase water portion (or decrease HoldTight®102) until flash appears or appears before you wish it to (i.e., until your blast window is unsatisfactory.)