Kool-Aid

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Author Message Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 38 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Monday, September 30, 2019 - 02:39 pm:    I'm not referring to the Jim Jones affair (drink the Kool Aid). In a project I wrote years ago, the mockup for the private suites at a sports facility had limestone countertops selected by the designer. Fortunately, we had specified a suite mockup and had a test run (birthday party) that was not specified. Somehow the orange Kool-Aid got spilled on the countertop. I don't know how long it stayed before being cleaned up. The stain could not be removed. Since then, I've kept a pack of Kool-Aid in my desk to test on a sample of any proposed countertop material that I wasn't familiar with. There's no ASTM standard for this, but I've found that Kool-Aid is at least as agressive as red wine and much more innocent in the desk drawer than a bottle of wine. Results were: limestone, marble, and concrete were susceptible to staining. P-Lam, plastic solid surface material, and granite faired well. Punch line: Don't drink the Kool-Aid, pour some on the countertop sample. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2204 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, September 30, 2019 - 03:09 pm:    Common yellow mustard is another substance that stains. Not sure about countertops, but carpets and other porous surfaces are susceptible. Almost impossible to get out. Y'all might try that on materials, too. Maybe together? You could create a work of art! William C. Pegues Senior Member Username: wpegues Post Number: 984 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Monday, September 30, 2019 - 03:31 pm:    Ed, Great test! Many people, including some professional chefs, declare granite is impervious to stains. For the most part true, but there are some highly absorptive granites and they should all be tested. I have found that quartz composite countertops are extremely resistant (zodiac, etc.). The only thing that can really do them harm is bleach since they do contain a pigment. William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS, SCIP Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 643 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, September 30, 2019 - 05:46 pm:    Many fabric artists dye their fabrics and yarns using Kool Aid for that reason. So do young girls with their hair, until they learn the hard way how indelible it is. I understand many politicians use if for other reasons. Phil Babinec Member Username: phil_babinec Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2011 Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 10:26 am:    Had a rep bring in a flooring product and was going on how durable it was. When my associate pulled out a pocket knife - the rep's eyes got way big - no, no, no! Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 367 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 10:44 am:    I visited a children's hospital post-operative recovery room recently, where the sheet vinyl flooring was covered in red and blue splotches. Staff gives the children 'slushies' to drink and inevitably to spill on the floor. - Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 756 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 12:02 pm:    This flooring should hide stains from Kool-Aid and slushies. On the other hand... Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 477 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 12:29 pm:    Has anyone figured out which chemical is responsible for the kool aid stains? Just the food dye, or a combination with something else? James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 281 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, October 03, 2019 - 08:44 am:    Check the package for the list of ingredients. Many beverages of this type contain citric acid and that might be what allows the food coloring to leave stains. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 648 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 08:12 pm:    I'm still adjusting to the irony of someone named Sandoz commenting on Kool Aid. Cultural reference. George A. Everding, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 903 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Monday, October 28, 2019 - 09:32 pm:    Phil is suggesting you use "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" (ASTM number pending, I am sure) James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 283 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - 08:46 am:    Hey, Phil, I get the reference but this is more my "cup of tea." More irony (I guess): both my father and grandfather were pharmacists.