Oxalic acid again, before and after

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Spyro

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There always seems to be posts about oxalic acid so I thougt I would show the proof it really is great stuff

In the first pic the anchor locker hatch had been done a few weeks ago to try it out.

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Did the rest of the decks today

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Am I the only one wondering about all these boaters using this stuff as a cleaning agent and washing it off into the waterways ? It was only a few years ago you had to order it from a Chemist and give them your reasons for its use . Lemon Jif has the same results for cleaning .
 
Yes .... oxalic acid works well, but I've found it only works well in temps above 18 deg C, and when I've used it as a Gel or Spray .... Y10, FSR, or Boatlife ...... When I've made up a solution from powder it had no effect; I have no idea why.
 
Oxalic acid has a natural source ...... rhubarb, tea, and many other plants. It's also used to remove kidney stones I believe.

I suspect it is neutralised rapidly in the environment.
 
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Lemon Jif has the same results for cleaning .




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Kitchen and bathroom cleaners may do a deck but absolutely wont remove brown hull staining which Oxalic Acid removes in minutes .

Re the pollution aspect is it possible that household cleaners could be even more damaging?

I guess if several boats were cleaned simultaneously in a very small marina there could be some adverse effect but as it only needs a cupfull to do a hull the parts per million of oxalic/seawater must be almost too small to measure.

It isnt terribly strong,I have splashed it on my arms before now and washed off a few minutes later with no noticeable effect.

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Before
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After cleaning with OA powder mixed with warm water and wallpaper paste.
 
I cant argue with that,it seems to have done the job.I tried several different types of household cleaner with poor results.

Will give The L.J. a go after the oxalic acid I have runs out.

How much effort was required to achieve that result? With O.A. it really is effortless.Just paint on and wash off.
 
I think that was about two years worth of scum maybe three since i painted her . I dont recall it being hard work but it wasnt a wipe on wipe of there was scrubbing involved . Nothing to make it hard work mind .
 
our local beekeepers have started to use oxalic acid to kill varroa mites (I bet they do it cleanly.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)
 
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Yes .... oxalic acid works well, but I've found it only works well in temps above 18 deg C, and when I've used it as a Gel or Spray .... Y10, FSR, or Boatlife ...... When I've made up a solution from powder it had no effect; I have no idea why.

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Above 18 degrees you got to be kidding, I'm not waiting until July /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It worked fine today temps were in single figures.
 
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Am I the only one wondering about all these boaters using this stuff as a cleaning agent and washing it off into the waterways ? It was only a few years ago you had to order it from a Chemist and give them your reasons for its use . Lemon Jif has the same results for cleaning .

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I wonder why you think that Lemon Jik is less noxious? It contains a natural plant acid (citric acid) just like oxalic but in addition lots of detergent nasties. At a guess its probably nastier.
 
I'm sure it's unintentional, but the colour balance on those two photos is different - there is more blue in your "After photo", or conversely, more yellow in your "before".
Not a fair comparison.
 
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Nothing to do with boats but the upvc window frame has a pink tinge so will oa clean it?

[/ QUOTE ]Can't answer your question about OA but pinkish tinge in uPVC can indicate chemical problems in the mix. It happened to us and we have had to have fascias and some windows replaced (FOC of course)
 
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I'm very sorry about that . Next time i wash the boat i will make sure the sun doesnt go in /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The reason i question OA is because the last time i bought it i had to order it through a Chemist and tell him my reasons for wanting it . Ive never had that when buying Lemon Cif .
 
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