Hello, So I've read on here that vinegar kills rust. My question is will it harm the insides of a radiator. The inside being brass on the one I have. The radiator is old and needs to be cleaned out. Will the vinegar clean it out like it does parts? Thanks for your time and opinions. -Pete
Vinegar will strip rust, BUT it will also accelerate rust if any is left on a surface after submersion. X 2 on taking it to a radiator shop.
Another good thread on vinegar here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501717&highlight=vinegar
It won't hurt your radiator...neutralize the acid with baking soda + water, flush with a hose. Rinse, repeat...
Works GREAT to clean out a radiator!!! I put a 1/2 gallon in and drove around like normal for a couple days. What came out was disgusting! Worked really good for me!
Same here. Put in a gallon and drove around for a few days. Boiled vinegar cleaned out the gunk. I mean, people drink it. Smelled like a deli when it was emptied.
Finally checked back on this thread after letting it settle. Thanks RMR&C and Pir8Darryl, I am glad someone has done it. I'll clean it out and flush it after. Thanks for the info! -Pete
acid bath, Store bought vineager is a solution with 5% acetic acid. You can get some higher % at restaurant supply places sometimes. Lemon juice is a bit mor acidic but a lot more expensive, citric acid is also used to remove iron deposits from water softeners, it is availabe from most Hardware store packaged for that purpose. Stronger concentration but vinegar is about a buck a gallon. So its cheap and effective.
Liquid Vinegar will remove corrosion from a variety of metals, but the fumes will cause corrosion on those same metals.
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