Olympic Deck Cleaner

CPSC Recall #99-173 - September 22, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-173
Recall DateSeptember 22, 1999
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 420,000

Where It Was Sold

The deck cleaner was sold at home improvement centers
hardware stores
and lumber yards nationwide from June 1998 through June 1999 for $7 to $9 for the 1-gallon jug and $14 to $16 for the 2.5-gallon jug.

Product

Olympic Deck Cleaner

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), PPG Architectural Finishes (PPGAF) is voluntarily recalling about 420,000 jugs of Olympic Deck Cleaner. Caps used to seal the plastic jugs can allow air pressure to build up and cause the cleaner to seep past the cap or be expelled when the cap is removed. Eye damage or skin irritation could occur from direct contact with the product. PPGAF has received one consumer report and three reports from stores that noticed that containers of the deck cleaner had bulged or seeped. No injuries have been reported. The recalled Olympic Deck Cleaner was sold in 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon sizes. The beige jug has a green cap. The recalled deck cleaner has batch codes beginning with: 06C, 07C, 08C, 09C, 10C, 11C, 12C, 01D, 02D, 03D, 04D, 05D and 06D. The batch code is stamped on the back of the jug above the use instruction label. The label reads, in part, "OLYMPIC DECK CLEANER," "RESTORES THE CLEAN, NATURAL LOOK," and "FAST & EASY TO USE." The deck cleaner was sold at home improvement centers, hardware stores, and lumber yards nationwide from June 1998 through June 1999 for $7 to $9 for the 1-gallon jug and $14 to $16 for the 2.5-gallon jug. Consumers with this unused deck cleaner should not open the containers, and immediately call PPGAF toll-free at (888) 774-7332 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for information about obtaining a free replacement cap. Jugs of Olympic Deck Cleaner sold with beige-colored caps are not part of this recall.

Hazard

Caps used to seal the plastic jugs can allow air pressure to build up and cause the cleaner to seep past the cap or be expelled when the cap is removed. Eye damage or skin irritation could occur from direct contact with the product.

Incidents & Injuries

PPGAF has received one consumer report and three reports from stores that noticed that containers of the deck cleaner had bulged or seeped.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers with this unused deck cleaner should not open the containers, and immediately call PPGAF toll-free at (888) 774-7332 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for information about obtaining a free replacement cap.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.