High-pressure water sprayed continuously onto the returning run of the forming wire to dislodge trapped fibers, filler, and pitch. If the wire is not kept perfectly clean, the blinded mesh will cause uneven drainage. This leads to thin spots, pinholes, and poor formation in the sheet, which drastically lowers opacity and creates a mottled appearance when held to the light.
Heard on the job
Check the wirewater pressure, we're getting a shadow mark on the drive side.
Insider tip
Do not confuse wirewater, which is clean water used to wash the mesh, with white water, which is the cloudy filtrate that drains through the mesh.
Also heard as
- wire shower water