[SEL] Removing calcification & scale

[Rupert Wenig]

Hello Jerry,
	Of the safer acids to use, boiling in vinegar should work as you say 
but it will take awhile. Next, muriatic acid should take out the scale. 
Next is the more dangerous acid to use- hydrochloric acid. I assume you 
know how to handle acids safely. Rinse thoroughly with baking soda in 
the final cleaning step to neutralize any left over acid.

	On the other hand- if there happen to be any live steam hobbyists or 
for that matter any full size live steam operators in your area. They 
should know how to remove the scale and should have a treatment to help 
prevent further scaling.

Rupert

Jerry Evans wrote:
> Hi All you experts,
>         The cylinder head water jacket of the Wolseley "R" I'm working 
> on has a pretty thick layer of scale in it and the only access is 
> through the 1 1/2" outlet pipe hole and the water slots below the head.
> 
>         Is there an acid or something that I can soak it in to remove 
> this that will not do damage to the cast iron? Try not to mention "trade 
> names" as proprietary products available in your part of the world may 
> not necessarily be available here.
> 
>         What other ideas are there for doing this - I could probably 
> boil it in vinegar for some time as I know that this cleans the scale 
> out of kettles, taps (faucets) and shower roses but do not know how 
> effective it would be on 60 odd years of scale build up in a water 
> jacket. The engine comes from a part of South Africa that has what we 
> call "brack" or "hard" water - this is water that has a lot of minerals 
> and salts in it and builds up a layer of this scale in anything carrying 
> the water (pipes and the like).
> 
>         I look forward to your answers.
> 
> Keep the revs up (or down)
> Jerry Evans
> Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
> Tel. (016) 365-5787
> Visit our website for old engines in South Africa.
> www.oldengine.org/members/evans 
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-- 
--
yvt

Rupert Wenig
Camrose, Alberta, Canada.	
		
http://www3.telus.net/public/rwenig/