Rant: I tried a new riser sleeve compound on a big gearbox casting and it stuck like glue

Last week at the shop, we had a rush order for a 400-pound gearbox housing. I decided to try that new high-temp ceramic wash on the riser sleeves instead of our usual graphite spray. The pour went fine, but when we went to knock off the risers, they would not budge. I mean, we had to use a cutting torch to get them off, which added about three hours to the job. Has anyone else had a nightmare with a new release agent, or is there a brand you swear by that never lets you down?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomasm402mo ago

Come on, three hours? That's a Tuesday. At least you didn't wreck the casting. Some of these new products just need a heavier coat.

owens.river2mo ago

Heavier coat" is code for "we didn't test this enough before selling it.

scott.grace22d ago

Owens.river called it - sounds like the lab guys mixed that batch on a Friday afternoon and called it good. I tried a similar ceramic wash last year on some ductile iron and ended up chipping the casting trying to get the riser loose. Ended up using so much PB Blaster that the shop smelled like a refinery for a week. You probably saved yourself a headache by going straight to the torch.