As an official Woods Powr-Grip dealer, GGR Glass has all the know-how about how to get the most out of your vacuum hand cup. By giving your suction cup a bit of TLC you can make this high-quality toolbox essential last to give you years of safer lifting power.

The perfect vacuum pad should clean, dry, smooth texture and in good condition. However, if your hand cup has a stiff, glazed, oily or dusty rubber pad face, or the pump action becomes sluggish, it may need a replacement part or simply a good old fashioned clean.

Cleaning your Woods Powr-Grip Hand Cup

  • Remove the air filter from the pad face
  • Using a clean sponge or lint free cloth, apply a mild cleanser or soapy water to the rubber pad
  • Hold the hand cup with the rubber pad facing down so liquid doesn’t get inside the vacuum pump

It is important that your hand cup can maintain suction during a lift to avoid any injuries or breakages from falling loads. You can easily test your hand cup for any vacuum leakages by attaching it to a clean non-porous surface for at least two hours. If any vacuum power is lost the cup’s red line indicator will appear, which may be a sign that the hand cup needs to be repaired or cleaned.

A number of factors can affect the performance and lifespan of your Woods Powr-Grip hand cup…

  • Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause the rubber pad to age prematurely so remember to store hand cups indoors and with their pad covers on.
  • Temperatures above 49°C can make the rubber pad turn too soft to work properly.
  • Temperatures below -12°C make the rubber pad become too stiff to mould to load surfaces and increase the risk of vacuum leakage from the pump.
  • Leaving vacuum cups attached to surfaces for long periods of time can lead to marking, especially in direct sunlight. Remember to remove your hand cups from surfaces when they are not in use.
  • Cuts, abrasions and tears on the pad’s sealing edges can be caused by sharp corners, rough surfaces or general wear and tear over the years. This often means that the pad needs to be replaced.
  • Certain chemicals can damage the rubber, including some cleaners and rubber restorers/ conditioners! Petroleum based solvents, diesel fuel, petrol and paraffin will make the rubber dissolve whilst chlorinated solvents such as white spirits will harden and crack the pad face.

Here’s our troubleshooting guide to easily solving some of the more common hand cup problems. Contact us for further advice or to find out more about our hand cup repair and spare parts service.

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