How Safetykleen helped P&R reduce shot blast media use by 60%

Challenge

Having already invested in the latest powder coating technologies, P&R Finishing were looking for a more efficient, more sustainable approach to stripping old paint from the items they were working on.

And with loads of over 25000 items going through the workshop in single week, it was essential that the approach worked consistently and continuously at scale.

Solution

The hands-off, multi-item cleaning offered by Safetykleen’s Kleenstrip machine was ideal. The continual flow of stripping fluid ensures consistent paint-removal performance. The Safestrip fluid itself offers a non-hazardous alternative to traditional acid baths and caustic chemicals, and special air filters reduce emissions to minimise operator exposure when the machine is opened after cleaning.

Results

Since its installation, P&R’s Kleenstrip has become an integral part of their process:

“We use the stripping tank for many more purposes than we originally expected,” Kevin explains. “We put practically everything in there if it has paint on it, and don’t even have to think about it. It’s like having another 1.5 people in my workshop… it saves hours in manpower.”

In fact, based on the careful calculations Kevin did when choosing the machine, switching to Kleenstrip has lead to:

• A 23% reduction in manpower requirements, leaving his team free to focus fully on other tasks
• A 60% reduction in shot blast media use.

“Whereas before we’d be going through half a ton in three months, it’s now usually eight or nine months before we have to order any more,” Kevin says.