Cleaning Fluid Leaving Stains on Shirts

[sqslabs]

We just ran some NLA green triblends and when cleaning a pinhole on a few shirts the fluid left a ring stain after drying. I noticed this on another recent run but figured it was the shirts and we had some extras so it was no problem then. Of course on this run it was 15 shirts and its a 7 color front, 4 color back.

Just trying to figure out if the fluid itself is the issue or if certain shirts will run into an issue with cleaning fluid. I've dealt with issues with Comfort Colors and some poly stuff in the past but didn't expect to see it on triblends. The fluid is Albachem Superkleen SPIF.

[Frog]

I feel your pain.
I have found that some shirts are tougher than others, but generally, technique with a little finesse can reduce the ringing issues.
Do you move the gun further away and adjust to more of a spray than jet as you finish?

[sqslabs]

I feel your pain.
I have found that some shirts are tougher than others, but generally, technique with a little finesse can reduce the ringing issues.
Do you move the gun further away and adjust to more of a spray than jet as you finish?

Thanks Frog, the pain on this one is real. 

The person who cleaned the shirts has only been here a few months but I usually don't train beyond "point and shoot" when it comes to spot cleaning, so I can guess that their technique isn't going to be top notch. We also don't use a blower system for drying, and just let the shirts air dry. Wondering if that could play a role in the issue as well.

Now that these shirts will be relegated to the test bin, I might as well try a few different cleaning techniques and methods of drying to see if it solves the problem for the future.

[Colin]

You can make a vacuum system out of a Shop vac and some pvc tubing.  Plus a little wire mesh for the tube opening.  Works fantastically.

[blue moon]

I feel your pain.
I have found that some shirts are tougher than others, but generally, technique with a little finesse can reduce the ringing issues.
Do you move the gun further away and adjust to more of a spray than jet as you finish?

Thanks Frog, the pain on this one is real. 

The person who cleaned the shirts has only been here a few months but I usually don't train beyond "point and shoot" when it comes to spot cleaning, so I can guess that their technique isn't going to be top notch. We also don't use a blower system for drying, and just let the shirts air dry. Wondering if that could play a role in the issue as well.

Now that these shirts will be relegated to the test bin, I might as well try a few different cleaning techniques and methods of drying to see if it solves the problem for the future.

yes, vacuum makes a huge difference. You can also add compressed air from the top. Combination of both seems to work on the most stubborn ones for us.

pierre

[Atownsend]

You can make a vacuum system out of a Shop vac and some pvc tubing.  Plus a little wire mesh for the tube opening.  Works fantastically.

Here is ours if its helpful. Basic, but much better than no vaccum. Just ran the hose to the box, sealed it with blue tape and stretched some 110 80 over the top. Still need to get the vacuum hose pretty close since it isn't sealed well. But i literally made this in 10 mins, so you get what you put into it I suppose.

[/url]

No more rings unless its comfort colors or crappy redyes from the manufacturer.

[cbjamel]

I prefer SPIF 2 over 1 since its more yellow and on white its the worst. 2 is clear.

Shane

[Orion]

As Pierre mentioned compressed air from the top while spraying usually works. Take care when using an exhaust blower with the metal mesh under the garment, it will make holes. You can pad between the garment and the metal mesh with some scrap material to prevent that.

[sqslabs]

Thanks guys, all of the suggestions help a ton for the future.

[Lizard]

After the shirt dries you can usually feather the ring out if you lightly spray the ring in  acircular motion lightly and let it dry again.

[Prōdigium]

You can make a vacuum system out of a Shop vac and some pvc tubing.  Plus a little wire mesh for the tube opening.  Works fantastically.

For some brands of spot cleaner that might be acceptable, but Superkleen SPIF contains a good percentage of Isopropanol which is highly explosive in vapor form.