Cleaning 'scale' off anchor chain

[LittleSister]

The chain on our 'new' old boat is somewhat encrusted with whitish scale , especialy at the inboard end. This makes it less flexible and also prone to links siezing up. What is it (limescale? salt?), and what can I clean it off with?

 

[sarabande]

most likely to be zinc hydroxide, which forms when galvanised chain is stored wet, lumped together and with little air circulation.

Can be easily and safely removed by brushing a weak acid such as white vinegar over the affected area, then a fresh water rinse, and drying the chain before replacing.


I once put a 15m length of chain into a small cement mixer, added 5l of cheapo vinegar, and left it running for 10 minutes. It came out clean and shiny, as the links pummelled each other.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Brick cleaner from a DIY store will have it off in a nano.

 

[vyv_cox]

Brick cleaner from a DIY store will have it off in a nano.

And the zinc

 

[KellysEye]

I agree with white vinegar, any acid will eat the metal, although very diluted Muriatic (Hydrochloric) acid can be used to clean stainless steel.

 

[Jamesuk]

I agree with white vinegar, any acid will eat the metal, although very diluted Muriatic (Hydrochloric) acid can be used to clean stainless steel.

This person got here first with the Muriatic Acid option. It really is awesome stuff. A bit like On/Off Hull cleaner but dont leave it on long while it eats away with fizzy bubbles the White stuff on the chain. Soapy wash down x2 afterwards.

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks, folks. White vinegar it is, then.

I had no idea vinegar was so useful: http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7