Troubleshooting

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Balloons don't float when first inflated
Reducing splatter inside balloons
HI-FLOAT or SUPER HI-FLOAT “beads up” inside balloon
Haze on inside of balloon
Product discolors in the bottle (mold)
Product gets too thick to pump (gel )

Balloons don't float when first inflated

Treated balloons should float straight up when first inflated. If your balloon does not float straight up or leans to one side, then you either have too much HI-FLOAT in the balloon or not enough helium.

Check to make sure you are using the correct restriction clip on the pump and that you're not using a helium/air mixture to fill the balloon.

Make sure the balloon is fully inflated. The balloon should be inflated until it begins to become pear shaped. Some people first inflate their balloons with air to stretch them. They then inflate them with helium. This allows the balloon to be inflated to a larger size.

If the balloons still do not float well initially, then either don't push the pump down all the way or switch to the next longer size restriction clip. This will reduce the amount of HI-FLOAT injected into the balloon . However, it will also give less floating life.

Your balloons will get more buoyant as the HI-FLOAT dries. When completely dry, the balloon will float with nearly the same upward force as an untreated balloon.

Reducing splatter inside balloons

When using HI-FLOAT in clear or transparent balloons, some uneven runs of liquid may be visible initially. These will gradually disappear as the coating dries.

This splatter can be minimized in the number of ways. Use ULTRA HI-FLOAT. Since you use less it will be less visible. Try inflating the balloon more slowly with the helium nozzle pointed in a downward direction. Also, when rubbing the balloon to spread the coating, rub gently to avoid working bubbles into the liquid.

If the HI-FLOAT is very old and has begun to get thick and stringy (gel ) it will be more visible inside the balloon . This gel can be re-dissolved by heating.

HI-FLOAT or SUPER HI-FLOAT “beads up” inside balloon

HI-FLOAT and SUPER HI-FLOAT work well on all major brands of latex balloons. However, occasionally we find a balloon which has an oil coating which interferes with the HI-FLOAT wetting the inside of the balloon. When this happens the HI-FLOAT or SUPER HI-FLOAT “beads up” similar to water on a freshly waxed car. In this case treatment gives very little increase in floating life. Use ULTRA HI-FLOAT with these balloons and you should not have this problem.

Haze on inside of balloon

Shortly after inflating a balloon you may notice a haze or cloudiness on the inside of the balloon. (Oxidation occurs on the outside of the balloon.) This may be caused by adding less than the full recommended amount of HI-FLOAT. Make sure you are using the correct colored clip for that size balloon.

Product discolors in the bottle (mold)

A dark green mold can grow on the surface of HI-FLOAT in a bottle which has been opened for several months. This is very similar to the mold which grows on bread. If this happens scoop off and discard the discolored material. Quickly use the remainder of the bottle.

Do not pour the small amount left in an old bottle into a new bottle since this can seed the new bottle with mold. Wash off the pump when transferring to a new bottle.

If mold is a recurring problem in your area, purchase HI-FLOAT in the smaller size bottles since it will be used more quickly.

Product gets too thick to pump (gel )

Normally HI-FLOAT has the consistency of honey. However, with excessive age it can begin to gel and will get very thick and lumpy. ULTRA HI-FLOAT may begin to gel if it has been frozen. If your product becomes too thick to pump, it can be re-dissolved in one of the following ways: (1) Remove the cap and heat in a microwave until hot but not boiling. Stir after removing from microwave, or (2) Pour HI-FLOAT into a double boiler and heat on a stove, or (3) Remove the pump or cap and place in a pan of water as shown in Figure 9. Boil the water in the pan for about two hours. This will heat liquid sufficiently to dissolve any gel.

WARNING! IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES:

Place a one-inch layer of gravel or glass marbles in the bottom of the pan as shown in figure nine to keep the plastic bottle from touching the pan during heating.

Do not allow the water in the pan to boil dry sense this will melt the plastic bottle.

Do not heat the bottle without first removing the pump or bottle cap since this could build up pressure and rupture the bottle resulting in burns or serious injury. Heat only an open bottle.

Do not heat HI-FLOAT directly with gas or electrical heat since this will scorch the HI-FLOAT and ruin it. The HI-FLOAT must be heated by placing the bottle in a pan of heated water as shown in Figure 9 or use a double boiler.

Allow the HI-FLOAT to cool to room temperature before handling to avoid the possibility of burns or injury.

The HI-FLOAT Co., Inc.
13025 Middletown Industrial Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40223

E-mail: info@hi-float.com

(502) 244-0984
1-800-57-FLOAT (573-5628)