Cleaning the Crud of my props

[Rum_Pirate]

As a matter of interest, muriatic acid (diluted) does a good job removing cement/concrete/limestone etc, did the B & Q cleaner contain muriatic acid?

 

[dkm]

Sorry to bump this back up to the top, but I've just been to B. & Q. to look at said brick cleaner stuff.

It states quites clearly on the destructions, 'Do not use near Stainless Steel, Brass, etc.'

Now I'm reasonably comfortable that the worst thing it's likely to do is to slightly discolour my S.S. props, but I just wondered what those in the know think. Could it possibly attack/weaken metals to such a degree as to be a worry?

I had the same concerns - discovered that B&Q do a non acid version that claims to do exactly the same thing as hydrochloric acid - I'll be trying it out in a couple of weeks

 

[whisper]

It will strip off the outer oxidised layer very quickly, then go on to destroy the rest of the aluminium. UNLESS you wash it off very thoroughly with water, making sure none is left in any nooks and crannies. This is assuming pure aluminium, not coated or anodized. Remove the anodization or coating, or scratch through it, and you are in normal aluminium area again. Even anodized coating can be removed with acid. If you have a coating or paint finish, then it will withstand the acid for extended periods by comparison, but any scratches will allow the acid through to the underlying aluminium.

In summary, don't use acid on aluminium unless you know what you are doing, and can remove every trace of it immediately after it's cleaned what you need to clean.

Thanks Brendan.
Another cunning plan is foiled!!!

 

[whisper]

It will strip off the outer oxidised layer very quickly, then go on to destroy the rest of the aluminium. UNLESS you wash it off very thoroughly with water, making sure none is left in any nooks and crannies. This is assuming pure aluminium, not coated or anodized. Remove the anodization or coating, or scratch through it, and you are in normal aluminium area again. Even anodized coating can be removed with acid. If you have a coating or paint finish, then it will withstand the acid for extended periods by comparison, but any scratches will allow the acid through to the underlying aluminium.

In summary, don't use acid on aluminium unless you know what you are doing, and can remove every trace of it immediately after it's cleaned what you need to clean.

Thanks Brendan,
Another cunning plan is foiled!!

 

[dkm]

Tried out the non acid version, worked a treat though they were not too badly fouled