Micro Mess

[mixfinder]

I have created a mess I have no answer to rectify.  I was wiping the brushed metal burner surface on the Flair range.  The large burner was still hot.  Without realising, I wiped against the hot burner melting some of the microfiber cloth and then transferred the molten mess to the stove top.  I have tried scrubbing with steel wool, using a razor blade, oven cleaner, and a hair dryer to heat the area.  The mass is now smooth but embedded into the brushed steel.  Any chemists or metalurgists among us who have insight how to remove the unsightly mess?

 

[retropia]

No chemist here, but I'd start by trying fingernail polish remover.  It wouldn't hurt the steel, and might melt the plastic stain.  I suppose I'd apply with either a paper towel or a cotton rag, let it sit for a few seconds, then rub with a clean paper towel or cotton rag.

 

 

[hunter]

Great idea!

Goo Gone is another possibility.  You might also try putting boiling water on it.  That might soften the plastic enough to get it off.

 

[franksdad]

Orange cleaner

Lifted ground-in bubble gum out of my cloth car seat and carpet lickety-split!

 

[thomasortega]

Maybe rub using steel wool and a hot iron?

Not too much pressure to avoid scratching the steel.
Theorically the wool would transfer the heat (also resist to it), and the heat would melt the plastic and the wool catch it.

 

[spankomatic]

Gas

On a COLD surface you might try a small amount of gasoline. Gasoline is a solvent (do not lite it). It is great for cleaning engin parts. I would let it soak a bit then wipe off,scrub if needed, with old rags you can discard. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Jim

 

[bernina]

I'd contact the manufacturer of the cloth

If you're not sure who that is, you might try contacting the "e-cloth" people.

E-cloth
EnviroProducts Ltd
East Barn, Furnace Farm,
Furnace Lane, Lamberhurst
Kent
TN3 8LE

Tel. 01892 893131
===

In the U.S.

TADgreen Inc.
P.O. Box 812
Greenland, NH 03840-0812

Tel. 1-800-677-4354

http://www.e-cloth.com/non-uk-enquiries/

 

[mixfinder]

Beyond

Thank you for the help and for no admonishments.  I have emailed e-cloth and since I have steel wool and an iron I'll try that next.  If not, I'll pick up polish remover on the next trip.  Its 13.5 miles to town so I try to be parsimonious with my travels out.

 

[xraytech]

Another product that may work is the Lickity-Split cleaner from Kirby. I've used it to sucessfully take care of some difficult messes

 

[mixfinder]

Rowenta to the Rescue

I used the iron with lots of steam and some steel wool.  It brought some of the product up into a bumpy hardened mass which I then razor bladed away but the evidence still remains.

 

[sudsmaster]

I believe microfiber cloth is polyester. As such it would be very resistant to most of the usual solvents.

However I have read that Easy-Off oven cleaner works to remove melted on microfiber from exhaust pipes.

You might have to use the kind that is mostly lye and which works when the surface is cool. Or heat it up with the nearest burner. Be careful, wear rubber gloves and don't inhale the fumes.

A concentrated lye solution would probably also work.

 

[twintubdexter]

well ya learn somthin new every day

I don't think I've ever heard that word before...parsiminous

 

[mixfinder]

Don't Lye

I knew you'd know the answer sudsman.

 

[mixfinder]

Sudsy Wins Agains!

I couldn't find lye in our little hamlet in the  mountains so I used Draino with lye and oven cleaner with lye.  I made a wet mess of the oven cleaner, sprinkled on the Drano and then wetted it with more oven cleaner.  It began to seethe and steam in no time.  The melted material wiped away after just a few minutes.  There was still dye remaining so I used a pumice stone and buffed it out.  As good as 50 year old new gets.  Combo sent me a missing burner support so I am in Custom Imperial Heaven.  I wonder if that's the appliance equivalent of Mormon Telestial?

 

[polkanut]

Glad you were able to rectify the situation.  Now, DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!!  Just fooling with ya Kelly, may you have many happy Custom Imperial experiences to share with us. 

 

[mixfinder]

The Official Answer

Please pass the buck.....

 

Hello Mr Beard

 

Thank you for your email.  We are sorry to hear about your accident with the cloth.  I think the best people to ask are the manufacturers of your appliance and see what they suggest.  If you tell them what the cloth was made of.  It is polyester and polyamide.

 

[polkanut]

That's a hilarious answer!  So, whom are you going to ask to speak to @ GM? ROFL!!!

 

[mixfinder]

Visiting the Dead

Its a bit like going to the grave site for a visit.  Most manufacturers regardless of the product will shift away from a clear answer to prevent any product liability.