metallic scourer removing limescale

[jim stone]

That metallic pan scourer you can buy that looks like thick shiny wire wool
works a treat for getting off limescale from glass vases without scratching
up the glass.

But when I tried to use it clean off thick limescale on the bottom of the
toilet bowl it leaves a grey kind of mark on the enamel.

Any suggestions for scraping off the limescale without damaging the enamel ?
I've tried liquid limescale remover and it does not do the job.

[Andrew Gabriel]

In article <kof646$bmr$1...@dont-email.me>,

You need to find a liquid which works. You might want to mix in some
detergent too (but never mix in any proprietary cleaners - just some
washing up liquid, as it's normally limescale mixed with organic matter.
Leave it in there overnight to give it time to act, and then the deposit
should easily wipe off with a toilet brush.

Good kettle descalers work (dissolve crystals in warm water before
pouring in).
Furnox DS-3 works (but may leave the pan stained light blue for a few
days afterwards, as the indicator dye in it is quite potent). Again,
dissolve in hot water before using.
Brick acid (conc Hydrochloric acid from a builder's merchant) is the
strongest option (just need a tiny amount), but I wouldn't use it
regularly, and make sure it's well flushed from all the pipework
afterwards (otherwise it will eventually dissolve cast iron pipes and
the mortar in underground pipe joints).

Big warning: Never mix different cleaners, or cleaners and bleach -
some combinations quickly give off toxic gasses. Always make sure
one cleaner is well flushed from the pan and the pipework after use
(can damage some sewer pipework if left there) when you've finished,
or when you are going to try another cleaner.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

[meow...@care2.com]

Copper scourer. Steel damages most things. But why do it the hard way when you can just pour conc H2SO4 onto it?


NT

[The Natural Philosopher]

use brick acid.




--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

[The Natural Philosopher]

HCl is better IMHO.

>
> NT

[harry]

> I've tried liquid limescale remover and it does not do the job.Ads not by this site

WD40 and a plastic scouring pad. Doesn't abrade the finish.

[harry]

On Jun 2, 11:22 am, "jim stone" <1975629...@mail.invalid> wrote:

> I've tried liquid limescale remover and it does not do the job.Ads not by this site

You will likely find the enamel (glass) finish on the bowl has been
etched by the use of aggressive toilet cleaners. (Eg Harpic and
the like) If you leave them on too long it has this effect. If you
read the destructions now it recommends flushing the toilet
after only a short period of time.

The dark mark is limescale/manganese dioxide (common in
many areas) in the pitting/etching.
Limescale where I live is almost black due to this.

[alan]

On 02/06/2013 11:22, jim stone wrote:

>
> Any suggestions for scraping off the limescale without damaging the enamel ?
> I've tried liquid limescale remover and it does not do the job.
>
>

Get rid of the water first. Use a mop with the head wrapped up in a
plastic dustbin liner bag as a plunger.

Then use any of the limescale removers - Lidl do a relatively cheap one
that works well.

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

[PeterC]

The thick, shiny wire wool is stainless steel; it is so-called
"free-cutting".
As most of us in here know, st. st. ain't free-cutting. To make it so, lead
is included to 'lubricate' the cutter.
Lead, strangely, 'writes' to glaze especially, as already mentioned, if
there's damage from chemicals and abrasion.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

[polygonum]

Have you got anything to back up your assertion that such pan scrubs
contain lead? It is a bit surprising to me if something that is intended
for use directly on surfaces used for food preparation would include lead.

--
Rod

[harry]

I can't believe there's lead in a pan scrubber either.

[PeterC]

No - sorry. Years ago, before such things were in shops, I saw somewhere in
some blurb about the free-cutting st. st. from which the thing was made.
Looked it up (in a book!) and found out about the lead. Could well be
different now, of course.

[Tim Lamb]

In message <kofm4n$mfc$3...@news.albasani.net>, The Natural Philosopher
<t...@invalid.invalid> writes

>On 02/06/13 14:27, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>> On Sunday, June 2, 2013 11:22:07 AM UTC+1, jim stone wrote:
>>
>>> That metallic pan scourer you can buy that looks like thick shiny wire wool
>>> works a treat for getting off limescale from glass vases without scratching
>>> up the glass.
>>>
>>> But when I tried to use it clean off thick limescale on the bottom of the
>>> toilet bowl it leaves a grey kind of mark on the enamel.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions for scraping off the limescale without damaging the enamel ?
>>> I've tried liquid limescale remover and it does not do the job.
>> Copper scourer. Steel damages most things. But why do it the hard way
>>when you can just pour conc H2SO4 onto it?
>HCl is better IMHO.

Slightly sideways, is there any chance the toilet is fed *softened*
water. One of ours is for various reasons/excuses from the builder's
plumber.

Scaling is grey and impervious to conventional lime scale removers.
>
>>
>> NT
>
>

--
Tim Lamb

[polygonum]

Thanks for explaining - I understand why your post now. :-)

--
Rod