Tulsa World: BOK tries a new way to shine

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BOK tries a new way to shine
A solution to the spots that detract from the arena's luster has been developed.

Frankie Helms with Budget Glass Services, a contractor with the BOK Center, uses water to hose off the diluted acid solution to clean the streaks under the windows on the west side exterior Thursday. MICHAEL WYKE/ Tulsa World

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Published: 4/10/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 4/30/2009 2:54 PM

The brown markings that have taken some of the luster off of the BOK Center's successful opening should be gone soon, but not necessarily forever.

John Vandebogart of Tulsa Vision Builders said Thursday that after months of experimentation, he's confident the heavily diluted hydrochloric acid solution being used to remove the spots will work just fine.

"We're satisfied with the application and the cleaning procedure that we developed," he said.

The markings — located primarily on the west, east and north sides of the building — have been forming on the arena's stainless steel panels when dust and other pollutants settle on silicon caulking bleeding from the windows.

Vandebogart said he's been searching for the right solution for two months.

"You've got to have something that removes not only the dirt but the silicon solution, and this product is the only one that actually works," Vandebogart said.

Construction Project Director Bart Boatright said he's hopeful that the silicon bleeding will subside soon — but he would make no guarantees.

"We've been told by some two or three years," he said. "But no one will commit to how long that will take."

Boatright said silicon bleeding is not unique to the BOK Center, but the problem is exacerbated by the arena's sloping architecture.

"It's just that the drainage of the building drains on itself," he said.

The actually cleaning process is simple: the area to be cleaned

is watered down, brushed clean with the hydrochloric acid solution and then washed with a high-powered hose.

Vandebogart said the key is to not let the hydrochloric acid solution dry on the panels.

"If that does happen, the maker of this product has another product that he says will take the dark burn off," he said.

Boatright said Tulsa Vision Builders' final cleaning budget for the arena included about $50,000 to remove the marks caused by the silicon bleeding.

He could not say Thursday whether all those funds would be needed.

But he said future cleanings will be the responsibility of the BOK Center.

"Building maintenance is going to have to do this in the future," he said.

Boatright and Vandebogart each noted that the markings do not cover all 33,000 of the 5-by-2-foot panels that sheath the arena.

"It's very isolated, but it's going to continue for some time," Boatright said.

Budget Glass Cleaning has been hired to remove the markings. Work began in earnest this week and is expected to take at least a month to complete.

"We're getting our procedures worked out with three (workers), but we assume we'll have a second crew on board that will help speed things up," Vandebogart said.

Kevin Canfield 581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment dTHREE, TULSA (4/10/2009 6:00:58 AM) Like cleaning the pontoons of a really big party boat!
	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (4/10/2009 7:46:18 AM) A costly oversight. I have a hunch the contractor made an assumption about specifications of the caulk, otherwise we'd be holding a vendor responsible for this.
	Report Comment DowntownNow, (4/10/2009 9:09:29 AM) Theres no mention of addressing and changing/replacing the dented panels around the bottom skirt of the arena...so these just stay that way from now on?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (4/10/2009 10:10:55 AM) Going to buy stock in Windex.
	Report Comment The Bug, Tulsa (4/10/2009 11:11:20 AM) Isn't the old saying, "It's what's on the inside that counts."? I really like the BOK on the inside. The outside looks Soviet Industrial. We had some friends visit from Dallas and they asked, "What's the hunk of space junk in your down town?" Very ugly on the outside.
	Report Comment dukeera, Jenks (4/10/2009 12:42:18 PM) old typro - ever findn an article you couldn't come up with a negative response for?
	Report Comment PR, (4/10/2009 2:23:59 PM) Hey Bug - that is funny, everyone I know from out of town that has seen the BOK Center has thought the building was beautiful.
	Report Comment kyote, (4/10/2009 3:46:17 PM) On going expense. What happens when the caulking completely bleeds away? I'm with you Bug.It is UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (4/10/2009 7:15:27 PM) Is it stainless steel that is planned to be used on the new ballpark? I hope not. This is a horrible oversight of the architect/builders. This problem seems to be an expensive disappointment for a brand new structure. I hope it gets resolved. Also, TW: The [actually] should be (actual) cleaning process is simple: the area to be cleaned is watered down,......
	Report Comment dog walker, tulsa (4/11/2009 12:43:36 AM) old typro, you seem like such a positive person.
	Report Comment C.R. Delough, Tulsa (4/11/2009 1:09:31 AM) I thought it was called "stainless" steel... /my bad
	Report Comment The Bug, Tulsa (4/13/2009 11:35:15 AM) PR, I guess the building's relief does have a braille like appeal. ;)
	Report Comment lucky girl, (4/13/2009 11:40:50 AM) hope they don't have to refinish it, it's ugly enough

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