Vinegar strength

[restorick]

Hey all...

For years I've used everything from naval jelly to electrolysis to wire/flap wheels to elbow grease to remove rust and mill scale. Even tried some muriatic acid (worked great but way too many fumes).

Recently, I've been using white vinegar with mixed results. First time I tried it in the frozen tundra, it worked OK. Took a couple of days but it freed up enough of the scale where a light wire wheel/brush got the rest of it.

I refreshed my bins a couple of weeks ago and got some fresh square tube to clean. Now, it's been around freezing here (mild winter so far), and when working in the garage shop I'll see my breath unless I kick the heater on. That said, the aforementioned tube has been sitting in 100% white vinegar for 8 days, with no discernable scale deposits on the bottom of the bin.

Now, I may have come across a particularly weak batch, but it still smells like vinegar to me.

Wondering if there are certain brands that are known to be more potent, or if some stronger vinegar is available in the wild. I've been buying vinegar from all over - grocery store, Menards, even at the dollar store in northern WI. Never had an issue until this batch.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[56Mark]

I think pickling vinegar may be another couple of % stronger. Vinegar is usually around 4-5% acetic acid. I have bought the pickling vinegar at walmart in the past.

 

[The Cobbler]

there's general vinegar , pickling vinegar & cleaning vinegar , acidic acid is higher concentration with each . something like 3%, 5% and 8% respectively

 

[Don1357]

There is 45% concentrated acetic acid You can buy and water down to whatever concentration you need.

 

[JRC3]

100% of Store bought "5% vinegar" is still 5% vinegar, the other 95% is water. HD does carry a 30% for $20/gallon. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-128-oz-30-Cleaning-Vinegar-Concentrate-100539895/313243838

 

[jonshonda]

Can you bring it inside to warm up? Some reactions are slower in cold temps, sounds like vinegar/rust might be one of them. Add some salt to speed up reactions.

I have only really used vinegar for small items, like hand files, and always got bubbling and other signs it was working.

You might have a lot more luck with electrolysis, as the process heats the water and as long as the water isn't frozen, should still be 100% effective.

 

[seber]

Wally world sells 10% cleaning vinegar, but acidic reaction is temperature dependent. I wouldn't take it inside unless you have a room where there is nothing that can rust. Good luck with that.

 

[CTyankee]

I've always used apple cider vinegar for remove rust. Usually makes quick work of even the most crustiest items in short order.

 

[alfazer]

Beekeepers use the vapor from acetic acid for sterilising brood frames and comb. It is usually about 80% strength but you need to be careful with storage and use, it's very corrosive and irritating if you catch the vapor. You could get a small quantity from a beekeeping supplier and dilute it to suit your needs.

 

[laser3kw]

I ordered a gallon of 30% off Ebay for cleaning. I think I paid around $25 or so. Very strong stuff.

 

[doctordirt]

When I do smaller parts, I heat the vinegar up, also agitation helps as well.

 

[Ralf11]

acetic acid was one of 3 chemicals used to develop camera film back in the Dark Ages - you can still buy it from a good photo shop

 

[The Cobbler]

...

You might have a lot more luck with electrolysis, as the process heats the water and as long as the water isn't frozen, should still be 100% effective.

electrolysis doesn't heat the water, but it is a good, inexpensive rust remover on ferrous metal

 

[Plump]

Agricultural vinegar comes in various higher strengths and can be found in big box stores or, of course, Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/agricultural-vinegar/s?k=agricultural+vinegar

 

[GForceJunky]

There is 45% concentrated acetic acid You can buy and water down to whatever concentration you need.

Just remember the golden rule of mixing acids with water- add acid to water, not the other way around, not that this is really a risky substance to mix at an already diluted 45% concentration.