It’s that time of the year and spring must be in the air because I have been receiving many calls lately from clients who are telling me how all these new sales reps for chemical companies are coming in claiming to have the latest and greatest product for the truck washing and concrete removing needs. It’s amazing how this happens every year around the same time.
Some of the things I am sure you are hearing are:
- “newly developed concept that is totally safe and user friendly”
- “acid alternative with no fumes or odors”
- “this type of iconic (really?) has never been used before in our industry”
- “our product does not contain muriatic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, sulfuric or phosphoric acids” (I guess they forget to mention glycolic or urea hydrochloride)
- “non-corrosive to metals” (somewhat true, the acid may not be the direct reason that causes corrosion, but it opens the pores in the metal that DOES cause corrosion)
- “we have the world’s first and only patented synthetic acid”
- “we recommend using multiple products – a harsh acid for heavy build up, a softer acid for daily use, and, oh yeah, a truck wash soap to clean your truck” 3 PRODUCTS, SERIOUSLY???
These are just a few things I’ve heard from clients in the last few weeks…
Let’s dig a little deeper to clear the spring air regarding these ridiculous claims.
First, anyone who claims they have ae newly developed product is not true. An acid is an acid. Only Synpro Products have patented formulas FROM THE US PATENT OFFICE. So until other companies come up with a formula that carries a triple zero HMIS score, is endorsed by the EPA’s Safer Choice Program and is green circle certified, there is not a way to make a glycolic, phosphoric, etc. acid “newly formulated. That’s just a play on words.
The only way to have an acid alternative is to have a synthetic acid that carries a triple zero HMIS score and can still have a pH of 0.
Iconic? Nice adjective that hides what they are trying to sell.
When any company claims their product doesn’t contain x,y, and z acids, well, they still contain acids, they just are not saying what acids their product does contain…. And one should ask if their product doesn’t contain all those acids, what acids does their product contain…..
We came up with the first TRUE synthetic acid back in 2001, so any company that claims they were the first, well, that’s just not true…
Any company that says you need multiple products, especially multiple acids, they are just trying to sell you more products that quite honestly, you DO NOT NEED……
Here’s a quick description of the different acids offered in the market so you have a better idea of what these sales reps are trying to sell you and you know what questions to ask to see exactly what they are peddling..
Acid Blends – Combines hydrochloric, glycolic, phosphoric, and other acids. It’s pitched as a safe alternative to hydrochloric acid. Examples would be Mudslide from ZEP, Chemstation and RustGone from Romix
Buffered Acids – They mask hydrochloric acid with urea (nitrogen). When inhibited, acid is chemically referred to as an “organic salt”. Can NOT add water or you hydrate the acids making them HIGHLY corrosive. We are seeing these acids come on the market more and more.. Examples would be BioCLean and BioFoam from Ankem, Mortarman, EquipClean and Arrow Magnolia
Glycolic Acid – needs 30-40 minutes of surface time. Sensitive to hot and cold. Formulated with a dangerous combination of acids and formaldehyde. Examples would be Backset by Romix, BioShine, Mudslinger, KwikSand, CreteDissolve.
Synpro’s entire product line contains ZERO acids yet works just as well as all the above mentioned products. Many of our clients who have a green initiative are happy to be able to say they use our products on their website because all of our products are safe, not only for all equipment and employees, but for the environment as well.
If you are currently using a product and are not sure exactly what you are using, feel free to contact me anytime. jirwin@synproproducts.com
Jason Irwin
VP – Ready Mix Sales
Synpro Products