Oxalyic Acid (again)

[JamesS]

I keep on reading of the virtues of using oxalyic acid as a cleaning agent but can anyone give me a brand name to look for.

Many thanks

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[bendyone]

Hi got 2.5kg from here, about £6.00

http://www.rydenor.co.uk/

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[AIDY]

Your local chemist should sell you some oxalic. 2kg about a fiver (commercial grade)

Or try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rydenor.co.uk> rydenor </A>, It will come in crystal form some mix with warmish water. don't forget to wear gloves and glasses. It's nasty stuff, to get on your skin

For a brand name if you look along the rows of bottles in your local chandlery most of the cleaning products contain oxalic ie.. star brite cleaner etc...... but these are normally quite expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[tillergirl]

Do as people are saying here and avoid ready made preparations. 25gms of oxalic acid crystals to 500cc of water - warm helps dissolving. As has been said, its an acid so where gloves.

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[aitchw]

Re: Oxalyic Acid - another use?

Given it's cheap and an acid would it be a good chemical to use when flushing outboards after salt awater use? I can't think why not. Anybody any thoughts on drawbacks?

Howard

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[VicS]

Re: Oxalic Acid

You might find it as "ethanedioic acid" from chemical suppliers, as that is the correct chemical name these days. Brand names mean ££££ so don't go in that direction.

Gloves and goggles are always sensible when handling chemicals of any sort but I have never regarded oxalic acid as particularly hazardous to handle compared with the strong acids like sulphuric acid for example. It is however very toxic so take precautions to avoid ingestion.



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I have a tin full of the stuff, which I bought from rydenor, and hardly need any for just a few teak grab rails. You can relieve me of it, if you are anywhere near Southampton/Winchester. Drop me a PM if you are interested.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Oxalic Acid

It eventually passes through the skin Vic, so gloves are needed for anything but the shortest exposure.

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[VicS]

Re: Oxalic Acid

And before any body else mentions it have a look here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rhubarbinfo.com>http://www.rhubarbinfo.com</A>

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[SteveGorst]

I've never actually tried it myself but I'm sure I've read somewhere that it is possible to add wallpaper paste to the mix and turn it into a paste. This will help it to cling to the side of the hull and work it's magic before you wash it off. I think this sounds a great idea so I'm going to give this a go myself when the time comes. I'll have to hold swmbo back though otherwise she'll be adding female touches to the hull!!

Steve

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nwcc.info>North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[alahol2]

Wallpaper paste certainly works well but don't let it dry on because it can be a b****r to get it off again.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.troppo.co.uk> Follow the Tightwad Sailor</A>

 

[VicMallows]

RYDENOR:

How long ago did you get it from them? .. No mention currently on their site.

Vic

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[Lofty]

I know nothing about chemistry but I have a friend who does. He tells me that the best source of oxalic acid is rhubarb leaves. Boil with water in an iron pan, not aluminium, and the result is oxalic acid. I shall try this as soon as my rhubarb sprouts next spring. It is the leaves which contain the acid and that is why they are poisonous to us humans. This is also a very good way of cleaning a burnt pan. Boil for a while then clean with metal scourer.
Try this at your own risk.

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[SteveGorst]

Thanks for the warning, I thought that might be the case. I guess it will be best to do it on a fairly cloudy damp day so that it stays moist for as long as possible, and only do small areas at a time.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nwcc.info>North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[Birdseye]

Re: Oxalyic Acid - flushing outboards

Its 40 years since my schoolboy chemistry, but I cannot remember any reason why oxalic acid would be useful in flushing outboards. It will not help dissolve chrystalline salt, and it wont turn any chloride compounds formed with the aluminium castings into anything else either. On the other hand, it might do something nasty to seals etc, so I wouldnt use it .

I suspect that a good soak with cold fresh water is the best approach

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[aitchw]

Re: Oxalyic Acid - flushing outboards

You are probably right. It was just a fleeting thought that was not fleet enough to pass me by.

Howard

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[Cantata]

Vic, do just try a small local chemist. They will almost certainly be happy to sell you some.

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[JamesS]

May thanks for all your help.

Cheers

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