[Roland S]

hi

i've got to clean a load of railings near to the sea that have salt crusted onto them (so i'm told although it looks like corrosion from the pic). the railings i'm told are plastic coated rather than painted. i've been asked to pressure wash them to remove it, but if it is just crusted on salt i think the pressure washer may be overkill. i'm guessing hot water should shift it if it is just salt, but has anyone got any other suggestions - maybe a chemical i can wipe on - other than that.

i'm going to have a look at it in person and do a test clean next week but wanted to go along prearmed with some ideas.

anyone done anything like this before?

[chris scott]

Tel 01704 880 800 ask for John. Tell him you have spoke to me....this will get you a discount!  I ....think...... the product is Salt neutraliser he makes it in his shed.

[BDCS]

Just because its by the sea it does not mean its salt. They could well be powder coated aluminium and the white powder is oxidation. Galvanised steel can also look like this when it starts to corrode. You need to start by finding out what material it is - so get a magnet and its steel if it sticks or if not its  -----. the grey post next to the black rail looks like galvanised steel

[chris scott]

It is oxidation ...it will look like a white chalky powder. I think you will find the the coating has failed .
Rub it down  , neutralize it , paint it . We tend to us rustoleum ... http://www.rustoleum.com/ . I  have in the past cleaned and painted a lot of cast iron (Southport is a seaside resort ....cast iron rusts as soon as you look at it!) with Rustoleum products. You need to use there whole process for best results ie primer ,undercoat etc

[BDCS]

Make your mind up !

[Kev Martin]

Go and look at it first and decide how it got there!!!  Look for tell tale signs because if it's on the railings then it will ddefinately be on the tile and grout below.  It could be caused through several different reasons i.e.it could be airborne and just salts drying on the surface or it could be through oxidisation.  Establish firstly what it is and how it is being caused then decide on the solution.   It could mean anything from a warm wash with a diluted mild phosphoric acid to a full rub down, undercoat and repaint.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics ltd

[chris scott]

Make your mind up !

Did not know i had changed it . I would hazard a guess that the "salt" is Zinc carbonate ....it needs neutralising before you could repaint. I would reiterate that if inspected the protective coating  has failed.

[BDCS]

Not if the metal is aluminium. Magnet test first then advise from this result - without your just guessing -- oh you did and that guess was the galv had corroded and you previously guessed your mates shed mixed salt remover would rectify the issue. Do you really get salt near the sea  I must have forgot I can see the sea from my house 

[chris scott]

Not if the metal is aluminium. Magnet test first then advise from this result - without your just guessing -- oh you did and that guess was the galv had corroded and you previously guessed your mates shed mixed salt remover would rectify the issue. Do you really get salt near the sea   I must have forgot I can see the sea from my house  

Ally on a domestic property...I doubt it due to manufacturing/material cost. I could be wrong....i have been before but thats how I learn. Sticking with corroding mild steel ...Carl would you care for a wager on the outcome? Maybe £20 or £50

[BDCS]

I don't gamble especially old folks pensions.  Powder coated aluminium is getting very common especially where automated closers are used. You know as well as I do when the OP finds out what the material is then the type of oxidation and hence a form of remedy can be suggested. Aluminuim is specified on new buildings to comply with manual handling regs,  RAMS and if being plastic coated, resistance to corrosion. Powder coated does this after time.
Why are you always being a smart arspe

[Roland S]

well i had a look and it seems to rub off with a wet rag and lots of elbow grease leaving the underneath coating unaffected so maybe it is salt. i didn;t have a magnet with me so i'll check that for you when i go back. with that in mind i'm thinking just some very hot soapy water and lots of scrubbing may be enough what do you think?

[BDCS]

If its steel paint the areas with galvafroid or smooth hammerite after cleaning. Keep your magnet on the roof of the van - I have a strip of fridge door which is also handy to post notices on steel doors, fire escapes and even railings should they not be wood aluminium or other non ferrous materials ( small print for those nit pickers ).

[chris scott]

I am wrong again!
Is there " sea salt" stuck to any other surface near to it...lamp post ,hand rails etc. I would assume that the "sea salt" would be stuck to everything and not just the black powder coated balustrade.

[B Bailey]

Are you going to clean that wall and path aswell 

[BDCS]

Salt obviously only sticks to vertical surfaces and would never settle on a horizontal one

[Kev Martin]

I am wrong again!
Is there " sea salt" stuck to any other surface near to it...lamp post ,hand rails etc. I would assume that the "sea salt" would be stuck to everything and not just the black powder coated balustrade.

Chris

Sea salt doesn't dissovle.  When sea spray is picked by high winds and rain which travels miles depending on the force of the wind.  It hits surfaces, the rain and sea water evaporates and you are left with mineral salt which in that form mixed with chloride ions is a perfect fast acting corrosive on all surfaces Horizontal, Vertical, moving or stationary.

Kev Martin
Tiliong Logistics Ltd

[chris scott]

I am wrong again!
Is there " sea salt" stuck to any other surface near to it...lamp post ,hand rails etc. I would assume that the "sea salt" would be stuck to everything and not just the black powder coated balustrade.

Chris

Sea salt doesn't dissovle.  When sea spray is picked by high winds and rain which travels miles depending on the force of the wind.  It hits surfaces, the rain and sea water evaporates and you are left with mineral salt which in that form mixed with chloride ions is a perfect fast acting corrosive on all surfaces Horizontal, Vertical, moving or stationary.

Kev Martin
Tiliong Logistics Ltd

Actually sea salt does dissolve in water to a point of saturation although no true chemical transformation takes place. Hence the sea salt is recovered in its original form when evaporation of the solvent takes place...in this instance water.
This was not my point in the post. I suggested that it was corrosion that was taking place. Given the fact that the "sea salt " was only to be found on the handrail. If it was in fact "sea salt " i would assume that it would be found on other objects in the area. Hence i asked the question "Is there " sea salt" stuck to any other surface near to it...lamp post ,hand rails etc. I would assume that the "sea salt" would be stuck to everything and not just the black powder coated balustrade."

[Kev Martin]

Chris

What is it with you?  Why do you have to be so pedantic?  My post is a general post for all to read!  If I had wanted to make it technical for a forensic chemist to read I could have but whats the point?  So I will say it again sea salt doesn't dissolve (Or for Chris it dissolves and then hardens again).  So there will be Mineral Salts everywhere, pavements, curbs, bushes , tiles, cars, windows, walls and roofs to name a few.  It is just more evident and visible on the black railings.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[chris scott]

Chris

What is it with you?  Why do you have to be so pedantic?  My post is a general post for all to read!  If I had wanted to make it technical for a forensic chemist to read I could have but whats the point?  So I will say it again sea salt doesn't dissolve (Or for Chris it dissolves and then hardens again).  So there will be Mineral Salts everywhere, pavements, curbs, bushes , tiles, cars, windows, walls and roofs to name a few.  It is just more evident and visible on the black railings.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

Ok
Sorry for being pedantic...I just think most of your post is crap.

[Kev Martin]

Chris

I am really hurt by your comments!  I won't sleep tonight now knowing what you reaslly think of me

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Limited