The Ford Barn

juke joint johnny · 05-30-2019, 12:20 PM

Whats the best way to clean lime scale from a radiator?

Will the Vinegar treatment work or is that just for rust?

It's an original 29 Round tube rad that doesn't leak so anything is worth a try

John Cochran

Synchro909 · 05-30-2019, 05:43 PM

There is a product available here for the removal of Calcium, Lime and Rust deposits. It's called CLR and is available from hardware stores and some groceries. Ask around - I'd be surprised if there is not something similar over there.
I cannot comment of whether vinegar will help.

30 Closed Cab PU · 05-30-2019, 06:15 PM

Other info - Best to treat with Washing Soda (not baking soda) or Dawn dishwashing detergent to initially get grease/oil out of it 1st.

If treating with vinegar while in the car and running the motor/cooling system, if leaks occur it most likely will ruin any paint it gets on. I am not sure what happens with CLR, may want to do a spot test somewhere 1st.

When using White Vinegar or anything acidic always do a final fill/flush with baking soda/water to neutralize the acidic content that has permeated within the cooling system.

eagle · 05-30-2019, 07:25 PM

Oxalic acid should work, available at Walmart.

Cool Hand Lurker · 05-30-2019, 08:12 PM

I don't know if I would use Dawn or any other like product. It is concentrated so you could easily get too many suds. You would have to rinse it out with cold water a few times.
It is great stuff with hot water for cleaning out grease though.

Synchro909 · 05-30-2019, 08:16 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

I don't know if I would use Dawn or any other like product. It is concentrated so you could easily get too many suds. You would have to rinse it out with cold water a few times.
it is great stuff with hot water for cleaning out grease though.

Suds can be an issue of you're driving any distance. The suds mean the coolant doesn't work properly an the engine overheats. I use a tablet from the dish washer. Removes the grease and no foam.

30 Closed Cab PU · 05-30-2019, 10:04 PM

Oxalic acid works great, downside not very environmentally safe, get it on paint etc not good. Have to be very careful wearing gloves and do not get any on you or your cloths. Plus might be harsh on an original 29 round tube radiator, might cause it to leak.

I've used the dawn, works well, do not remember how much but yes do not overdo it. Did not leave it in long, performed the cleaning with the car sitting still at fast idle and kept an eye on the temp. Then used a hose/adapter/garden hose to back flush for an extended period. CLR or vinegar or what ever else used should flush out the dawn and should have no continuing suds issues.

I've also heard teh dishwasher tablet works well, but have not personally tried it.

30 Closed Cab PU · 05-30-2019, 10:06 PM

And we still have not answered the OPs original question. Does White Vinegar remove scale?

Hopefully someone knows and will post the answer.

PalAl · 05-30-2019, 11:20 PM

Yes, it will clean scale. I use it to clean my coffee pot, but have never had the need for my "A". Google it........... lots of info

Ray64 · 05-31-2019, 06:09 AM

I worked for ford 43 yrs. and used oxalic yearly on my cars to remove foundry fallout. Had no problems with paint. Just use some gloves to keep the burn down if you have a scratch or small cut Just my 2 cents RAY

juke joint johnny · 05-31-2019, 06:27 AM

Thanks for all the good advice !!!

Most Rad shops here would put a new core in it, but they wont rod one out anymore

Terry, NJ · 05-31-2019, 07:41 AM

Vinegar will work. But be careful about about starting leaks. Vinegar usually is 5% ascetic acid and it can start a pinhole leak. Don't ask me how I know !
Terry

abachman3 · 06-01-2019, 11:32 AM

Yes Vinegar will work. Somewhat slowly. CLR is a bit quicker. Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is much quicker, but don't leave it in too long... use it at about a 4:1 dilution. (4 parts water.)

Tom Wesenberg · 06-01-2019, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abachman3

Yes Vinegar will work. Somewhat slowly. CLR is a bit quicker. Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is much quicker, but don't leave it in too long... use it at about a 4:1 dilution. (4 parts water.)

Now, there is a safe way, and a dangerous way to mix an acid and water.
Which is the safe way?

Brian in Wheeling · 06-01-2019, 09:43 PM

add the acid to the water...not the opposite.
Brian W.

05-30-2019, 12:20 PM	#1
juke joint johnny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London England Posts: 908	lime scale removal Whats the best way to clean lime scale from a radiator? Will the Vinegar treatment work or is that just for rust? It's an original 29 Round tube rad that doesn't leak so anything is worth a try John Cochran

05-30-2019, 05:43 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: lime scale removal There is a product available here for the removal of Calcium, Lime and Rust deposits. It's called CLR and is available from hardware stores and some groceries. Ask around - I'd be surprised if there is not something similar over there. I cannot comment of whether vinegar will help. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

05-30-2019, 06:15 PM	#3
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: lime scale removal Other info - Best to treat with Washing Soda (not baking soda) or Dawn dishwashing detergent to initially get grease/oil out of it 1st. If treating with vinegar while in the car and running the motor/cooling system, if leaks occur it most likely will ruin any paint it gets on. I am not sure what happens with CLR, may want to do a spot test somewhere 1st. When using White Vinegar or anything acidic always do a final fill/flush with baking soda/water to neutralize the acidic content that has permeated within the cooling system.

05-30-2019, 07:25 PM	#4
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: lime scale removal Oxalic acid should work, available at Walmart. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

05-30-2019, 08:12 PM	#5
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: lime scale removal I don't know if I would use Dawn or any other like product. It is concentrated so you could easily get too many suds. You would have to rinse it out with cold water a few times. It is great stuff with hot water for cleaning out grease though. Last edited by Cool Hand Lurker; 05-30-2019 at 08:36 PM. Reason: Sp

05-30-2019, 10:04 PM	#7
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: lime scale removal Oxalic acid works great, downside not very environmentally safe, get it on paint etc not good. Have to be very careful wearing gloves and do not get any on you or your cloths. Plus might be harsh on an original 29 round tube radiator, might cause it to leak. I've used the dawn, works well, do not remember how much but yes do not overdo it. Did not leave it in long, performed the cleaning with the car sitting still at fast idle and kept an eye on the temp. Then used a hose/adapter/garden hose to back flush for an extended period. CLR or vinegar or what ever else used should flush out the dawn and should have no continuing suds issues. I've also heard teh dishwasher tablet works well, but have not personally tried it.

05-30-2019, 10:06 PM	#8
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: lime scale removal And we still have not answered the OPs original question. Does White Vinegar remove scale? Hopefully someone knows and will post the answer.

05-30-2019, 11:20 PM	#9
PalAl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Orangeville Illinois Posts: 461	Re: lime scale removal Yes, it will clean scale. I use it to clean my coffee pot, but have never had the need for my "A". Google it........... lots of info

05-31-2019, 06:09 AM	#10
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 727	Re: lime scale removal I worked for ford 43 yrs. and used oxalic yearly on my cars to remove foundry fallout. Had no problems with paint. Just use some gloves to keep the burn down if you have a scratch or small cut Just my 2 cents RAY

05-31-2019, 06:27 AM	#11
juke joint johnny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London England Posts: 908	Re: lime scale removal Thanks for all the good advice !!! Most Rad shops here would put a new core in it, but they wont rod one out anymore

05-31-2019, 07:41 AM	#12
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: lime scale removal Vinegar will work. But be careful about about starting leaks. Vinegar usually is 5% ascetic acid and it can start a pinhole leak. Don't ask me how I know ! Terry

06-01-2019, 11:32 AM	#13
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: lime scale removal Yes Vinegar will work. Somewhat slowly. CLR is a bit quicker. Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is much quicker, but don't leave it in too long... use it at about a 4:1 dilution. (4 parts water.)

06-01-2019, 09:43 PM	#15
Brian in Wheeling Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheeling, WV - U.S.A. Posts: 241	Re: lime scale removal add the acid to the water...not the opposite. Brian W.