How to use Biox Liquid

Biox Liquid is a great choice for removing rust, verdigris and limescale from various objects, like archaeological finds, tools, glass and even delicate items like clock components or musical instrument parts. Here's how to use it effectively:

Preparation:

Pre-clean: Gently remove any loose dirt, debris, or grime from the object's surface with a soft brush or compressed air. Biox will remove light greases and oils, but heavy contamination might hinder Biox's effectiveness. For heavily soiled items, consider using a degreaser like Biox Bio-Deg before proceeding.
Protection: Ideally cover areas you don't want the Biox liquid to touch, although it will not damage wood or plastic handles, it is best to protect areas not to be treated, using masking tape or a protective coating can assist with this.

Using Biox Liquid:

Immersion or Topical Application: Biox can be used in two ways depending on the object size and desired cleaning method:

Immersion: For objects suitable for immersion or ultrasonic cleaning, completely submerge the item in either a plastic or steel container filled with Biox Liquid. Agitate occasionally or use ultrasonic action. Once the cleaning action is underway, it is best to remove occasionally every 10-20 minutes to wipe off the loose contamination, inspect and re-immerse in the product until clean.
Topical Application: For larger objects or those with delicate parts that cannot be submerge, apply Biox liquid by brush or spray directly onto the affected areas. Using Biox liquid in this way, it is best to leave the object wet for 20-minute periods and keep reapplying. You can also soak a cloth in Biox liquid and lay it on the affected area, keeping the cloth wet will assist with the products efficiency. Check regularly until contamination is removed. Once cleaned, rinse the item well in water and apply a protective coating to the object.

Soaking Time:

Light Rust/Tarnish: For very light rust or tarnish, soaking times can be as short as 15 minutes.
Heavier Corrosion: For heavier rust, verdigris, or stubborn stains, soaking times may range from several hours to overnight (up to 8 hours). You can re-immerse the object for longer periods if needed.

Agitation (Optional): While not strictly necessary, gentle agitation can assist in cleaning, especially with stubborn grime or verdigris. This can be done by occasionally swirling the container if the object is submerged or using ultrasonic action, alternatively by using a soft brush for topical application.
Monitoring: It's important to monitor the cleaning process periodically. Biox can slightly darken the surface of some metals when soaking for longer periods. So, checking the progress ensures you don't overdo the soaking and risk unintended effects. It is important to note that Biox liquid will not affect a metals’ structure, but contamination removal may leave areas pitted where the oxidisation process has occurred on the surface of the metal. It also important that some complex metals can activate an electrolytic action in a liquid, so careful monitoring is necessary to prevent a light plating occurrence.

After Cleaning:

Rinse Thoroughly: Once the desired level of cleaning is achieved, thoroughly rinse the object with clean water to remove any Biox liquid residue. Distilled water is recommended to minimize water spots on some metals.
Drying: Completely dry the object with a clean, soft cloth, compressed air or drying oven, then either apply corrosion inhibitor or hermetically seal the object to prevent further corrosion.

Additional Tips:

Biox and Ultrasonic Cleaners: Biox can be even more effective when used in conjunction with an ultrasonic cleaner. The ultrasonic waves enhance the cleaning action, especially for intricate objects.
Warming Biox (Optional): Warming the Biox solution (up to 50-60°C or 122-140°F) can improve its cleaning efficiency dramatically. However, always check if the object you're cleaning can withstand such temperatures.
Reapplication: Biox liquid can be reused until exhausted. If rust or tarnish persists after the initial soak, you can re-immerse the object in fresh Biox for another cleaning cycle. Filtering Biox liquid after use is also beneficial to improve longevity, as coffee filter can be used for non-sensitive applications.
Safety: Biox is advertised as safe, non-toxic, and non-hazardous. However, it's always a good practice to wear gloves and eye protection when handling any cleaning product. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific handling recommendations.

By following these steps, Biox Liquid can be a valuable tool for gently and effectively removing rust, verdigris and scale from your various metal/material and glass objects. Remember, for delicate or valuable items, it's always best to test Biox on a small inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't cause any unintended effects.