Glossary

Chemical cleaning : see stripper.

Film-forming : protection for materials provided by the application of a protective layer in the form of an easily removed film. We may also use the expression, 'sacrificial protection'. FilmoGuard is a film-forming product used to protect non-porous surfaces.

Graffiti protection : a preventative treatment that resists the penetration of ink and paint pigments. Until ProtectGuard arrived on the market, all anti-graffiti products were films that had to be renewed after each cleaning. On a surface treated with ProtectGuard a one-off, medium pressure wash is sufficient.

Non-stick : a product that helps to reduce the adhesive qualities of materials. ProtectGuard prevents chewing gum from remaining stuck to building structures.

Oil and water repellent : the name given to a protective product that simultaneously waterproofs and protects against greasy marks. ProtectGuard is an oil and water repellent that also allows the treated material to breathe. TexGuard is also oil and water repellent.

Oil-repellent : protection against the penetration of greasy substances (soiling).

Porosity : ratio of the volume of spaces in a material to its total volume. The natural porosity of materials is one of the main causes of their erosion. All porous building materials, whether inside or out, may be effectively protected with ProtectGuard . Less porous materials such as marble or granite are protected to exactly the same degree as the more porous materials such as limestone, concrete and reconstituted building stone.

Pressure-cleaning : a cleaning technique consisting of a high-pressure water spray with the addition of fine abrasive particles. Pressure cleaning is often preferred to chemical cleaning for large surface areas.

Solvent : a material capable of dissolving a substance and generally used either as a thinner or a de-greaser.

Solvent phase : a product that comes in a solution with a chemical solvent.

Stain-resistant : the name given to products like TexGuard , which, by reducing the surface tension of the fabric, fibres or materials being treated, makes stain removal easier. Stain-resistant substances are oil and water repellent.

Stripper : a chemical product used to clean the outsides of buildings, floor surfaces, wood, metal, etc.

Surface tension : a value equal to the force needed to increase the free surface of a liquid divided by the actual increase in the surface area itself ". TexGuard and ProtectGuard change the surface tension of the base material being treated.

Water phase : a product that comes in solution with water. Water phase products have many advantages; they are non-hazardous, more ecologically sound and, above all, much simpler and more practical to use.

Water repellent : a product that prevents the penetration of water. TexGuard and ProtectGuard are water repellent materials.

Waterproofing : see water repellent.