EDTA

[Rosa]

Some years ago I read a thread about hull/deck cleaning. Someone suggested using EDTA. Does anyone remember this? Or can anyone advise on its effectiveness and how to use it? Thanks.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Its a chelating agent for heavy metals it was probably sugested to remove iron stains from GRP, oxalic acid will do this just as effectively. I can see no use for the removal of alge growth etc. Vic may know more.

 

[vyv_cox]

It is a component of Starbrite Black Streak remover, but not of some others. See its details here.

I assume that it is not the active cleaner but is used as a chelator to react with metallic ions that may be present(?)

Wikepedia says 'Chelators are used in chemical analysis, as water softeners, and are ingredients in many commercial products such as shampoos and food preservatives. Citric acid is used to soften water in soaps and laundry detergents. A common synthetic chelator is EDTA.

 

[Rosa]

Thanks for your reply Vyv. I've got a tin of it in my garage but don't know how to use it. I'm certain someone suggested it on here as an alternative to commercial cleaners. The search engine on here doesn't seem to go back far enough.

 

[FlorealIII]

You should use an alcaline solution, say 5 to 10 % in soda water

 

[VicS]

Try a little. I expect you have either the disodium salt or the tetra sodium salt. They are both soluble in water. (If by chance you have the free acid rather than one of the sodium salts then dissolve it in some very dilute caustic soda solution.)

I'll be surprised if it does any good though.

If you happen to have the tetrasodium salt then you could try using it to extend the life of your batteries.

http://www.courtiestown.co.uk/batteries/edta/edta.htm

 

[vyv_cox]

Many years ago in my laboratory days I managed to recover a few totally defunct batteries using a process something like the one described, although far more drastic.

Tip out all the battery acid and lead sulphate sludge (down the sink, I told you it was a long time ago!) Refill with EDTA solution. Leave for an hour or so. Refill with battery acid of the correct strength. Charge the battery overnight.

In some cases a battery that would not even look at a starter motor could be persuaded to be useful for a few more months. Others didn't even notice that anything had been done to them.

 

[huldah]

The story I read years ago about the origin of EDTA, goes something like this.
In 1935, the Germans realized that the British would cut their supply of citric acid in the event of war. So they developed EDTA to chelate the lime out of their cloth, instead of dissolving it with acid.