Porta Potti
Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 14:11
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Ray
Hi I have a Porta Potti that has been in regular use over the past ten years. During this time it has been regularly emptied and recharged with chemicals but a scale (I believe
limestone) has built up inside the holding
tank.
I have been thinking of putting in a solution of hydrochloric acid. Does anybody think that that is a good idea or is there any alternatives??????
Reply By: Notso - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 14:29
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 14:29
As long as there are no metal fittings, particularly brass, inside it should work OK.
AnswerID:
321283
Reply By: SPRINT-GTO - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 15:36
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 15:36
Before you try the Hydrochloric acid try a 50/50 solution of vinegar and
water and leave soak for an hour or so. Removes
limestone scale from kettles so no reason to doubt it wouldnt work on your pota-potti. Much cheaper and less corrosive/dangerous than the acid!!!.
Goodluck.
Gary
AnswerID:
321286
Follow Up By: Vince NSW - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:55
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:55
Vinegar is acetic acid. Amild organic acid. If it wount do the trick. Try CRL from the cleaning section of the
supermarket before you try the HCl
Vince
FollowupID:
588108
Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:55
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:55
G'day Ray,
Have a look at a product called CLR. I believe that it is designed
to clean that type of scale....not 100% sure on plastic tho'.
Have a read of the label first, should find it in most supermarkets and hardware shops.
Dunno about the hdrochloric acid, some might get left and get on your dangly bits.....lol
Cheers
Michael
AnswerID:
321293
Follow Up By: Vince NSW - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:57
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 16:57
We must have been typing at the same time Michael.
Good point about the dangly bits.
Another thought, if you have any dairy farmers near you. Get some milk stone remover.
Vince
FollowupID:
588109
Follow Up By: Waynepd (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 18:00
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 18:00
I remember the ads for clr or crl and i thought they said it stood for calcium, lime and rust. Never tried it but always meant to. It has to be safer than acid....
FollowupID:
588129
Follow Up By: TD100 - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:32
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:32
i have used it for various things and it shouldnt harm the plastic.a very good product
FollowupID:
588149
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:32
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:32
CLR is more or less 80%
water, ~20% lactic acid, and several other minor ingredients. pH is listed as 1.3-1.5 so may still be dangerous to the dangly bits. :-)
Andrew
FollowupID:
588150
Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:56
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 19:56
yah silly goose's CLR is sulphuric acid in a mild form!!!!
so do watch the tackle and try da vinegar with hot
water or just buy a 2l bottle of vinegar from franklins for a couple of bucks and that will do the trick!!!
FollowupID:
588152
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:00
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:00
That's not what the MSDS states that i looked at Christopher.....hmmm, i wouldnt think that they would be lying on the sheet. The MSDS is available here ==>
http://www.jelmar.com/msds/CLR_MSDS_eng.doc
I'm not sure where the sulphuric acid comes into it....
Andrew
FollowupID:
588168
Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:21
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:21
i used it recently at the sister in laws place, and was reading the bottle, i'm quite sure it stated on the bottle it had sulphuric acid at a 30% level, i had two bottles of it!
My trades pest control and i tend to be analll about what stuff i handle and what is in it after being poisioned a couple of times, hence i don't do my trade anymore!!!
But i do apologise if i am wrong!!!
FollowupID:
588174
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:51
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 21:51
That's ok, it's only what i read as
well...so am probably no wiser than you :-)
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 21:42
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 21:42
Hey Andrew, it's all good, worth a try anyway!!!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Max - Sydney - Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 20:13
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 at 20:13
Ray
A plastic after 10 years use and subject to a strong acid like HCl might show you what stress corrosion cracking is.
I'd try the vinegar trick, then if that does not work get some Bio Magic, dilute it and let it soak for a few days.
Max
AnswerID:
321324
Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:09
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:09
CLR is the answer..its a very weak solution It is not sulfuric, it's Sulphamic acid and its very safe if you rinse thoroughly. They use sulphamic acid in the Dairy industry to dissolve,,,,,,, guess what?? calcium !!! Michael
AnswerID:
321407
Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:11
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:11
Forgot to mention that you can also try citric acid, buy from
supermarket,, cheap!! Michael
FollowupID:
588255
Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:13
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 at 14:13
OOOPS!! I meant to spell......Sulphuric not as i did.. Michael
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588256