Toilet chemistry - help

[EugeneR]

Currently cleaning the sportscruiser for broker pictures tomorrow.

Since we've been using our other boat mostly, this boat was left for a couple of months with some marine toilet cleaner in the bowl, on land. Dehumidifier did it's job, toilet is dry except for 3mm thick layer of very hard brown substance throughout the bottom 1 inche, feels like concrete. It does not come off with medium scrubbing although it gives of a blue color when rubbed in water. The brown color matches, well, the other contents one might expect in there, so I need to get it removed quickly before pictures and viewers.

Boat has plastic holding tank, so I cannot just stick anything in there in case it ends up doing damage to the tank.

What is the best way to dissolve the stuff, without causing damage in the tank afterwards? Wife said toilet duck, but that should not go with other chemicals and impact on plastic is unknown. Any solutions?

 

[nigelmercier]

Hydrochloric acid.

 

[VicS]

Currently cleaning the sportscruiser for broker pictures tomorrow.

Since we've been using our other boat mostly, this boat was left for a couple of months with some marine toilet cleaner in the bowl, on land. Dehumidifier did it's job, toilet is dry except for 3mm thick layer of very hard brown substance throughout the bottom 1 inche, feels like concrete. It does not come off with medium scrubbing although it gives of a blue color when rubbed in water. The brown color matches, well, the other contents one might expect in there, so I need to get it removed quickly before pictures and viewers.

Boat has plastic holding tank, so I cannot just stick anything in there in case it ends up doing damage to the tank.

What is the best way to dissolve the stuff, without causing damage in the tank afterwards? Wife said toilet duck, but that should not go with other chemicals and impact on plastic is unknown. Any solutions?

I'd use an ordinary toilet cleaner... one that will remove limescale. We have Harpic ... it contains hydrochloric acid.

What other chemicals do you have in there ...... most important is to not mix with a chlorine bleach as that will produce chlorine gas.

Toilet Duck I think contains Lactic acid. Less effective than hydrochoric acid Same result if mixed with chlorine bleach.
Some varieties may contain sulphamic acid which will be almost as effective as hydrochloric acid

 

[Stork_III]

Hydrochloric acid.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydrochloric-Acid-36-2-Pure-5-Litre-5L-/140573774735

 

[VicS]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydrochloric-Acid-36-2-Pure-5-Litre-5L-/140573774735

If you buy 36% hydrochloric acid take care. Gloves and goggles Its the full concentrated stuff. It'll produce choking fumes so only handle with good ventilation.

I'd probably dilute it 10 fold for the job in hand.

Store the 4.9 litres you dont need carefully . Its very corrosive.


A bottle of toilet cleaner is surely a lot less than £15 + p&p and you'll find it in any supermarket or hardware store.

 

[pvb]

Wife said toilet duck, but that should not go with other chemicals and impact on plastic is unknown.

Surely if the stuff comes in a plastic bottle, it's unlikely to damage a plastic holding tank?

 

[No Regrets]

Yup, you beat me to it!! LOL

sigh.....

 

[EugeneR]

Surely if the stuff comes in a plastic bottle, it's unlikely to damage a plastic holding tank?

I was told that some chemicals eg bleach will make plastic brittle and should not go down the Jabsco. I also know that not all plastics are the same e.g. some glues melt some kind of plastics, so I wasn't willing to make that assumption given the potential impact.

I put in limescale remover, still not convinced that is what it is though... quantity seems 5 or more teaspoons at least, from say 300ml water with blue stuff originally?

 

[jon711]

Depending on the age of the toilet will depend on what can be used. The early 29090 toilets were made in ABS and even some quite tame household cleaners can react with the plastic. Later toilets were made in glass filled then talc filled polyprop, these are much more resistant to common household cleaners. There is also the problem with some caustic cleaners causing reactions with the valve sets. Best bet is to try a very small area first and leave for 48 hrs or so, if there will be a reaction you should see some evidence within this time...

Jon