Re: Citric Acid Descaling
I should add
If the boiler is finished with a nickel plating or similar, to preserve the finish it would be better to buy some plugs to screw on/in the holes and fill the boiler with solution.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Citric Acid Descaling
Collapse
X
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
There is no residue, the parts were rinsed off under the tap afterwards, just dont leave any nuts screwed onto threads, residue will dry off making the nuts hard to undo.
The process leaves a dull surface which needs to buffed up to restore the shine.
I will leave it to others to describe the best method to do that.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
Thanks Vic, did it leave a residue, i.e. powder, flakes , lumps, etc, if do how big were the particles?Originally posted by 736C66776A64686077050 link=1277328240/8#8 date=1278833934I used 4 heaped tablspoons a litre or thereabouts maybe a bit more. I also dropped a aquarium heater in to keep the winter chill off. I did not immerse the studs, I coated them with grease and stood the boiler on its end then filled the bucket to the top of the boiler, leaving the studs clear of the solution. I did a twice daily top up to compensate for evaporation. I dont know if the citric would have corroded the studs but I didnt want to take the risk and I really didnt want to pull them out. I pulled it out after a few days, that didnt quite do it, so mixed up another batch, a bit weaker this time as I ran out of citric. Another few days did it. The element was suspended in the solution with a wire to prevent solution getting into the end, that only needed a day.
I could have used a stronger solution but preferred to use a weaker solution and take a bit longer.
The Citric leaves a pinkish surface which I rubbed off by hand with a light buffing of steel wool. Steel wool is a bit severe and probably not ideal, some other method would probably be better, but these finished surfaces will not be on show.
I did start a similar thread to this on another forum, it could be worth a read Here
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
I used 4 heaped tablspoons a litre or thereabouts maybe a bit more. I also dropped a aquarium heater in to keep the winter chill off. I did not immerse the studs, I coated them with grease and stood the boiler on its end then filled the bucket to the top of the boiler, leaving the studs clear of the solution. I did a twice daily top up to compensate for evaporation. I dont know if the citric would have corroded the studs but I didnt want to take the risk and I really didnt want to pull them out. I pulled it out after a few days, that didnt quite do it, so mixed up another batch, a bit weaker this time as I ran out of citric. Another few days did it. The element was suspended in the solution with a wire to prevent solution getting into the end, that only needed a day.
I could have used a stronger solution but preferred to use a weaker solution and take a bit longer.
The Citric leaves a pinkish surface which I rubbed off by hand with a light buffing of steel wool. Steel wool is a bit severe and probably not ideal, some other method would probably be better, but these finished surfaces will not be on show.
I did start a similar thread to this on another forum, it could be worth a read Here
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
Very interesting Vic, tell me what strength Citric solution did you use, did it dissolve the scale completely or did it leave a residue?Originally posted by 564943524F414D4552200 link=1277328240/6#6 date=1278762535It all went quite well heres a few before and after pictures.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
It all went quite well heres a few before and after pictures.




- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
The chrome wont be going in, though I would like to give the group water passages a descale. Maybe I can plug the holes with bluetack or something and fill the water passages that way.Be very careful with the chrome
Would a commercial descaler be ok with chrome my understanding is they are all corrosive.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
Theres good advice here and elsewhere on its use. People can have trouble sourcing a decent quantity of it but I do a bit of work for a company in the food industry, so I got a couple of kilos of the stuff, which I may as well make use of.Why stuff about with Citric Acid
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
To be very honest roamer....
Why stuff about with Citric Acid when purpose designed products can be bought from many of our site sponsors for very reasonable cost. At least you know what concentrations to use as the required information is printed on the container.....
Mal.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedRe: Citric Acid Descaling
Be very careful with the chrome. I would plug the holes on the boiler and fill it instead. Citric acid will pit the chrome quite easily.
Depending on how much scale there is, be prepared to soak it for at least a few days. Better to do it slowly with a weaker solution. I forget what concentration I used when I did my boiler. If you do a search, there are lots of posts with the recipes of what concentration worked ok. And hot / warmer water seems to work better.
Dont forget to show us the pics...
cheers.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Citric Acid Descaling
For normal scale removal I use around 1TSP per QUART of warm/hot water. Room temperature should work fine, just think the warmer the better personally.
I have seen warnings on some descalers regarding damage to chrome, etc. but not sure about 100% citric acid. Later!
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Citric Acid Descaling
Im Intending to descale a boiler this weekend. Dismantled and full immersion in a bucket of solution.
What ratio of citric acid to water do I use, I have 2.25 kg of the stuff is that enough.
Does temperature play a part I can drop in a aquarium heater to at least keep the chill off.
What is the verdict on chrome, is it safe to immerse the group, I would like to descale the water passages but not at the risk damaging the chrome.
Advice appreciated.Tags: None
- Flag

Leave a comment: