Sales of Tensid’s Torik superheated water stone cleaning system have “gone absolutely bonkers” since the new version was featured in this magazine last year, says Tensid’s Brian Kleland.

Torik is available as standard in 110V to meet site requirements, although a 240V version is available on request. It comes with a set of three quickly interchangeable lances and offers contractors a reliable, high performance system that gives them access to superheated water cleaning projects for as little as £3,350.

The Toriks are made in Denmark to Tensid’s specification and their success, along with a general improvement in the market, has encouraged Brian to invest in another new product from Scandinavia – this time from Sweden.

Called the Speedheater, it is an infrared paint removal system that has been developed by Birger Ericson as the result of working for nearly 20 years in building restoration.

The speedheater uses infrared light to heat paint so it can be stripped off. But unlike heat guns, it is said to use a particular wavelength of light to work at a lower temperature so it will not vapourise lead used as a base in many old paints. It is, nevertheless, said to be quick and much more friendly to the user, the surface being cleaned and the environment than other heat stripping methods, chemicals or abrasives.

It was after Birger became ill from the chemicals he was using that he determined to invent a better system for stripping paint. It took him nearly 10 years to perfect, but he believes he has achieved his aim with the Speedheater infrared paint remover, which is now starting to sell worldwide.

Tensid also currently has on trial in the UK a product that it says is safer and more user and environmentally friendly than traditional hydrofluoric acid, which is an effective cleaning product but is so aggressive it can even dissolve glass.