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Some of you might be aware of my use of “Diet” Cola for cleaning parts and keying bare metal – but at 0.5% phosphoric acid it’s a bit weak. As I work in the water treatment industry I can usually get hold of 20% Orthophosphoric acid but at the moment it’s in short supply.

I’ve just Googled around and come up with “Milkstone Remover” and found a local farm supplier that stocks it – 5 litres for £9.00 or $18.00 in US speak (I assume as with everything else it’s cheaper Stateside). It seems this stuff is between 30 – 60% Phosphoric acid and is readily available. It’s used to clear limescale from milking machines by the looks of it. I’ll let you all know how it works.

Phil
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That stumped me! I’ve never heard of Muriatic acid – then I found that it is Hydrochloric acid so now I understand.
Hydrochloric (or a mimic thereof) is indeed a very good oxide and scale remover – but Phosphoric acid does this and leaves the surface with a phosphate layer – which is a very effective rust preventative in itself. (In a similar way to how steel reinforcement bar is protected from rust when encased in concrete – the phosphates in the cement take care of it. Also, you don’t need to wash the residue off with water – another way that you can re-introduce rust.

My front springs are getting dunked on Saturday!
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