unknown emulsion on inherited screen

[dirkpiston]

I inherited some old screens from a friend and I can't remove the emulsion from them.

I don't know what kind of emulsion was used (and neither does she as she got them from someone else).

I have tried Ulano #5 (Sodium Meta Periodate) gel and Diazo Emulsion remover. and scrubbed like hell (I don't have a power washer). The emulsion is dark red.

Any advice on getting this stuff out?

thanks,

dirk

[ROADSIDE]

You sure its not rubelith?

[yaleteamsandtees]

Be kinda hard to adhere rubylith (God, I haven't use that word in awhile!)
to mesh.

Is it possible they are old fashioned lacquer film?

Get some lacquer thinner and rub it in a corner to see if it dissolves.

If it does throw them away! Trying to remove it completely is more
of a pain than it's worth.

If that doesn't work try a little regular household bleach.

Paint it on both sides with a cheap paintbrush
and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

Rinse with low pressure water and then power wash as usual.

Don't let the bleach spray back on you.

It may make more sense to just re-mesh the darn things.

[dirkpiston]

the bleach worked, although it took a lot of scrubbing and re-applying (I don't have a power washer).

thanks everybody! collective knowledge!

[totwdave]

Get a pressure washer- even an inexpensive one can make a big difference in cleaning/reclaiming screens

[UpNorthMatt]

They could be hardened screens. I used A&B hardener on a long run waterbased job I had and I had to cut the mesh out and re-strecth because that stuff was never coming off. The best advise is, get a pressure washer! Its unbeatable in reclaiming. Also, if you have a tank big enough to submerge a screen in you could try dissolving some salt in water and soaking the screens in it for a day to soften the emulsion. You can also soften emulsion with degreaser before putting on the emulsion remover.