Removing limescale from chrome taps

Oldskoolskater

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Oct 8, 2003, 10:39:45 AM10/8/03

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What's the best way to remove encrusted limescale from old chrome bath taps?
Having a quick google, I couldn't really find any good answers!

There must be a way.....?

Cheers

Steve

S Viemeister

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Oct 8, 2003, 10:46:44 AM10/8/03

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Oldskoolskater wrote:
>
> What's the best way to remove encrusted limescale from old chrome bath taps?
> Having a quick google, I couldn't really find any good answers!
>

If you're doing them in situ - soak a rag in vinegar, and wrap around the
tap, then wrap cling film over the rag. Leave in place overnight, scrub
with old toothbrush, repeat if necessary.
If they aren't installed, put them in a container, cover with straight
vinegar, cover, leave overnight, etc.

Dee

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Oct 8, 2003, 10:44:04 AM10/8/03

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"Oldskoolskater" <oldskoo...@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:e41f0780.03100...@posting.google.com...

I get a small piece of kitchen towel soaked in vinegar wrapped around the
scaled area. Leave over night and then brush with toothbrush or scrape with
finger nail. If the scale is very heavy this may need to be repeated several
times.

AndyP

BillR

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Oct 8, 2003, 12:08:30 PM10/8/03

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KilRock-K or Gel_Kilrock if on enamel bath

Andrew Gabriel

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Oct 8, 2003, 12:45:00 PM10/8/03

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In article <YDWgb.5360$kA.15...@wards.force9.net>,

"BillR" <send.s...@hotmail.com> writes:
> Oldskoolskater wrote:
>> What's the best way to remove encrusted limescale from old chrome
>> bath taps? Having a quick google, I couldn't really find any good
>> answers!
>>
>> There must be a way.....?
>

> KilRock-K or Gel_Kilrock if on enamel bath

Be very careful about getting descaling agents onto enamel surfaces,
or you can discover to your cost that they are not as robust as you
might have imagined against chemical attack.

--
Andrew Gabriel

PoP

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Oct 8, 2003, 1:49:51 PM10/8/03

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On 8 Oct 2003 07:39:45 -0700, oldskoo...@mailinator.com
(Oldskoolskater) wrote:

>What's the best way to remove encrusted limescale from old chrome bath taps?
>Having a quick google, I couldn't really find any good answers!

I was advised that lemon juice can do the business - and from a small
experiment I carried out that would seem to be the case.

So if you've got a leftover plastic lemon from pancake day.....

PoP

BillR

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Oct 8, 2003, 3:10:44 PM10/8/03

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The water here in north Hampshire is incredibly hard and I have to use
Kilrock on the chrome kitchen mixer tap once per month. It does say on the
bottle not to use it on/near enamel but to use the gel version instead. I've
never used it in a bathroom because the rest of my house runs from a
water-softener, a proper ion-exchange one not the magic coil ones :-)

Peter Parry

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Oct 8, 2003, 6:46:02 PM10/8/03

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On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 18:49:51 +0100, PoP
<E-62647F66737B7...@anyoldtripe.co.uk> wrote:

>So if you've got a leftover plastic lemon from pancake day.....

Sir,

I followed your instructions to the letter and wrapped a pancake left
over from pancake day on my taps. The cat (or some other piece of
wildlife) ate it some time during the seventh night and either died
or the pancake was regurgitated onto the floor (the effluvium has
legs and the cat is missing so I am not sure which it is). The scale
on the taps is still there but there is now a foul odour in the room
and tiles have started to peel off the walls.

I really cannot recommend this treatment.

--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

Oldskoolskater

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Oct 9, 2003, 3:11:11 AM10/9/03

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Thanks all for your replies.

The taps are off the bath, so there is no problem with possible enamel
damage.

Kilrock?
I've not heard of that......Is it widely available?
I think I have used Viakal in the past, but it was a long time ago and
can't remember how effective it was.

Cheers

Steve

stuart noble

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Oct 8, 2003, 1:02:05 PM10/8/03

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S Viemeister wrote in message <3F842354...@which.net>...

Citric acid is a good deal stronger and available at most chemists.

BillR

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Oct 9, 2003, 6:00:18 AM10/9/03

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Oldskoolskater wrote:
> Thanks all for your replies.
>
> The taps are off the bath, so there is no problem with possible enamel
> damage.
>
> Kilrock?
> I've not heard of that......Is it widely available?

Yes it is. I got mine in either Boots or Richard Dyas.
I apply it with an old toothbrush. Usually takes only a few minutes.

Andrew Gabriel

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Oct 9, 2003, 6:38:47 AM10/9/03

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In article <0lahb.5643$kA.16...@wards.force9.net>,

Most descallers are sulphamic acid (except those for use on enamel).
Cheapest way to buy it is probably a tub of Furnox DS-3 for descaling
heating systems. (Actually, it lists several other things you shouldn't
use it on, most of which I do without any problems.)

--
Andrew Gabriel

PoP

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Oct 9, 2003, 8:06:49 AM10/9/03

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On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 23:46:02 +0100, Peter Parry <pe...@wpp.ltd.uk>
wrote:

>I followed your instructions to the letter and wrapped a pancake left
>over from pancake day on my taps. The cat (or some other piece of
>wildlife) ate it some time during the seventh night and either died
>or the pancake was regurgitated onto the floor (the effluvium has
>legs and the cat is missing so I am not sure which it is). The scale
>on the taps is still there but there is now a foul odour in the room
>and tiles have started to peel off the walls.
>
>I really cannot recommend this treatment.

You are taking the p!ss and I claim my five pounds ;)

PoP

S Viemeister

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Oct 9, 2003, 10:52:58 AM10/9/03

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stuart noble wrote:

> Citric acid is a good deal stronger and available at most chemists.
>

Yes. But I prefer to start with something I already have, and only move up
to stronger, purpose-bought stuff, if my first attempt doesn't work.

Sheila