Can I clean the painted aluminium van with vinegar?
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 17:14
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swampy66
Hey all,
My jayco has a calcium build-up on its paint work - much like the cars and house (thanks to the
Pilbara bore water).
I know I can clean windows with diluted vinegar, does anyone know if I can clean the paint work with it? Does the vinegar damage the paint?
or if I cant - what would be able to remove the calcium?
thanx in advance
swampy
Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 17:55
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 17:55
Hello Swampy, I can't answer your question ref the vinegar, but I think it to be a highly Alkaline chemical, so if that is the case I wouldn't use it. But I would be happy to be corrected!!
We use common truck wash on our Jayco & when dry we dampen a cloth with Shellite and wipe it over the surface & it brings up the gloss the same as an automotive polish does on duco.
I got onto the Shellite when I asked our local Jayco dealer what they used to make all their second vans for sale look so good & shiny. Cheers
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Follow Up By: DIO - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 18:36
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 18:36
So if you use Shellite to wipe over the paintwork, what does it do to any wax that might be used to protect the paintwork etc?
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008 at 07:31
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008 at 07:31
removes it
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Reply By: swampy66 - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 18:40
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 18:40
Thanx for the responses so far, here's an update,
I just tried Jif (figuring its similar to gumption) correct me if I'm wrong. It removed the calcium - with a fair bit of effort.
I've just tried the truck wash too - and - like my enjo glove - it cleaned the van nicely - but could not remove the calcium - which appears etched into paint.
Some wax on wax off
turtle polish didn't remove the calcium.
Vinegar does an extremely good job of removing the calcium - easy to apply and wipe off - but at what cost to the paintwork or aluminium.
Any more ideas !!!
Thanx in advance again
swampy
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - DickyBeach - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 19:38
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 19:38
Swampy,
I can't offer any solution (pun intended) and, being pedantic, vinegar is acidic not alkaline (acetic acid) - I have no idea whether it would be worse for aluminium than a simlar strength alkali.
Hope this little helps.
DB
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 20:26
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 20:26
Vinegar won't affect paintwork - just wash it off so it won't dry on the surface and deposit solids.
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Reply By: Ted G - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 19:41
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 at 19:41
Hi Swampy
Vinegar is acidic PH of about 2 from memory.
Calcium is alkaline approximately Ph 12.
Basically at the right dilution the vinegar will needled the calcium, for each 1 point above or below 7 equals 10x so vinegar is 5 below and calcium 5 above so it should neutralise.
Make sure you wash any residue off with neutral water, wipe down with a micro fibre cloth.
Hope this helps
Regards
Ted
Ps I taught cleaning at TAFE.
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