Calciumy stuff on the rudders/propshaft etc...easiest removal?

[SoulFireMage]

Since I have a minute, I'll ask.

Her ladyship is out the water this week and a fine sight she is too. If my phone will talk to the pc I'll share the pics. I've got this urge to clean off and polish her shafts . Now one theory is that Limelight or some other limescale remover might help. However, I'm not sure if it's strong enough.

Any suggestions/home remedies that are good for this or am I stuck with elbow grease only? Thanks in advance for any help. She's out for the week, hopefully done in time for a trip to Sharpness with a bunch from the Bristol Cruising Club .

 

[kingfisher]

I used 29% HCl on it. Freely available in the B&Q here in Belgium. I was glad I was wearing goggles, carbon mask and heavy duty gloves, because boy was that stuff strong. Held a container under the shaft with one hand and poured with the other. Then switched containers. The last fine layer was removed by draping an old towel of the stuff over the prop for 15 mins.

 

[duncan]

B&Q - brick cleaner.

 

[pappaecho]

HCL is fine but it does stain stainless steel, so dont spill any on any of SWMBO's shiny stainless drainers

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
HCL is fine but it does stain stainless steel

[/ QUOTE ] I would not use it at 29% though, far too many fumes for a start! Dilute it several fold. Brick cleaner is more dilute but I would still dilute it further.

 

[Spuddy]

nicked the limelight stuff from bathroom to try on prop - no joy at all. Brickcleaner or similar is the stuff.

 

[SoulFireMage]

So far I ended up wire brushing on a drill .
Works a treat, followed by Autosol. Takes a while though. I ain't even finished the P-bracket or the rest of the shaft yet. Lovely looking old props now though, and rudder.

 

[SoulFireMage]

Obsessive compulsive I was today. Up at 6:30, had the props, rudders and p-brackets totally wirebrushed now. Even the shafts just need a polish now.

However I found that the hull can come up a LOT shinier . G10 is quite nice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. A lovely nose scrape disappeared after 3 grades of wet n dry and G10. My first ever body repair and you can't see it! Yay.. 13 hrs and I'm knackered. Night all.