As for blowtorches... no, never. Heating and cooling to that degree rapidly destroys the rock - the holds will fall apart eventually. Just look at roadrunner...
Without wishing to get into another blowtorch 'discussion', this depends whether you're actually heating up the rock, or drying-off surface moisture.
let's face it - if you're blasting it with a flame, its gonna heat up. If you're just drying off surface moisture; then use a towel.Sure hydrated minerals will speed decomposition, but the simple differential expansion caused by repeated local heating and cooling will cause damage soon enough on its own, even on volcanics.
In practise, it's probably not a good idea to use them ...., as they'll get over-used, or used in the wrong places, and will cause a problem
Quote from: "AndyR"In practise, it's probably not a good idea to use them ...., as they'll get over-used, or used in the wrong places, and will cause a problem theres a coincidence - just like wirebrushes!!!
people will always blow-torch the hold for too long, 'just to make sure it's really dry' - but a quick wave with a blow-torch (or hot-air gun) to get rid of surface moisture (where a towel won't get it off - on irregular surfaces etc.), really won't cause any significant heating of the rock, and therefore won't be a problem.
theres a coincidence - just like wirebrushes!!!
Have thought about the hot-air gun option before, but have been unable to find a cordless model on the internet.
Just spend a bit longer with towel, chalk and brush and you'll get there in the end. Just as wirebrushing is rarely required if you're not too lazy to put the effort in with the wood brush.
Quote from: "Johnny Brown"As for blowtorches... no, never. Heating and cooling to that degree rapidly destroys the rock - the holds will fall apart eventually. Just look at roadrunner...Without wishing to get into another blowtorch 'discussion', this depends whether you're actually heating up the rock, or drying-off surface moisture. It also depends on the mineralogy of the rock (e.g presence of clay or hydrated minerals, or material that thermally decomposes).Sometimes it will damage the rock, sometimes it won't.
I'm also having trouble with moss in my lawn - can you give me some sage advice there as well please?