The following FAQ's relate to CPR Cleaner & Brightener

How can I get the water stains out?

Try sanding with a 60 or 80 grit sandpaper first. Any sort of chemical can damage the wood even further and cause more discoloration. Practice your sanding technique and try to blend discolored areas into surrounding areas first. If that doesn’t work, you may have to resort to chemicals that will need to be applied exactly according to directions and very thoroughly rinsed off. Try the least harsh chemical first and only resort to a very harsh chemical if the others don’t work. In order of harshness:

1) Sodium per carbonate (like Sashco’s CPR)

2) Household chlorine bleach and/or bleach and TSP mix (no stronger than a 10% solution!)

3) Oxalic acid or 35% hydrogen peroxide (medical grade)

What can I do about blue stain?

Once blue stain has established itself, it is nearly impossible to completely remove it. It can be lightened up using various bleaches, such as Sashco’s CPR (sodium per carbonate), a 35% hydrogen peroxide cleaner, chlorine bleach or oxalic acid. However, it is virtually impossible to return the wood to its original appearance.

Why should I use CPR instead of bleach?

CPR is a sodium per carbonate cleaner, which, when dissolved in water, releases hydrogen peroxide – which is an oxygen bleach as opposed to a regular chlorine bleach. Oxygen bleach is significantly less environmentally harmful or dangerous than chlorine bleach or oxalic acid, yet can do an excellent job of cleaning and bleaching. While it needs to be thoroughly rinsed from any wood it is applied to (just like chlorine bleach or oxalic acid), there is far less risk of damage to coatings applied on wood that has a little oxygen bleach left in it than wood with a little chlorine bleach or oxalic acid.

CPR should NOT be used on Redwood or Hemlock, as it causes severe discoloration of the wood. In addition, it will discolor some Cedar wood so should therefore be very carefully tested prior to use on a Cedar home of any kind.

NOTE: When using bleach of any kind, make sure you test a small area before proceeding with the entire project. Oxidizing chemicals can cause undesired color shifts, including tannin bleeding, in various woods. You should be prepared to use whatever cleaner or bleach will work without causing unwanted color shifts.

Will CPR damage my chinking?

No. In fact, when applied to old chinking, it will likely help clean it and brighten it up.

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