Found this that may be of some use:
http://www.michaelsappliancecentre.com.au/..._SSadvisory.htm
Lime scale deposits from hard waterProlonged soaking in a 25% vinegar solution or a 5% nitric acid solution. Periodically rub with a nylon bristled brush or a fine synthetic scourer pad.
Can usually be prevented by regular routine cleaning. Do not allow excessive build up before treating.
Rust marks due to presence of or contact with ferrous materialsIf heavy, swab with a sponge wetted with a diluted (10-15%) solution of nitric acid. Follow by routine cleaningAvoid any contact of ferrous (iron) containing materials with stainless steel. Nitric acid is the only acid which may be used with no risk to stainless steel
Is there anything you can soak it in without manually scrubbing it? I have some SS coil use in party kegs for heat transfer etc. But it's been sitting in a shed for donkey's age's and i don't know the best way to clean inside of it? Will just soaking it in napisan or some other solution work?
Cheers Dave.
Nitric acid is the only acid which may be used with no risk to stainless steel
hmmm, disagree with this part. The rest of what you posted is right, though Raven.
Common acids used with stainless in an industrial sense are HNO3 and HF, but citric or acetic is often used for minor cleaning. Basically, most acids are fine as long is it doesn't contain chlorides.
The cleaning with citric is done basically the same way as with vinegar (acetic)....just let it sit. So beer4us, use either citric acid or a vinegar solution, sit the coil in it, and come back to it a few days later....rinse thouroughly, and roberts your fathers sister.
For those with itching curiosity, here is a handbook on pickling, passifying and cleaning, which contains much more info than you'll probably ever need.....link
(gee I miss being a sheetie sometimes...it has lots of geek-like chemical fun.)
Happy to be corrected Butters! That link is much better than mine indeed, so many useful titbits!
I remember getting mighty dirty from all the carbon on the steel when doing work in steel fabrication - agree great fun though!
PBW!
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