Rear screen marks
Discussion
I'm trying to get rid of some marks on my plastic rear screen that I think have been caused by water settling at the bottom of the screen (near the stitching).
I've tried some of Revono's Plastic Window Polish and it made a great job of the rest of the screen but the marks at the bottom won't budge.
See picture for what I'm on about:
www.fotango.com/cgi-bin/public_gallery_item.cgi?id=316653&index=0&key=
Anyone else had these marks/stains on their rear screen and managed to get them off?
It looks like calcium carbonate build up (lime scale to you and me!) You could try a VERY WEAK solution of Viakal on a non conspicuous area or try wiping (can't remember the name) the 'clear' vinegar (not distilled) over it as I find that makes an effective de-scaler.
Whatever you use - try it somewhere non noticeable first and certainly be careful of the fabric. If you do splash this stuff anywhere - use plenty of water to wash it away as soon as possible (was that OK as a disclaimer?)
Whatever you use - try it somewhere non noticeable first and certainly be careful of the fabric. If you do splash this stuff anywhere - use plenty of water to wash it away as soon as possible (was that OK as a disclaimer?)
Can't you use the same stuff they use in kitchens/bathroom? There is a product called Lime Light in a green container similar in size to washing up liquid. You'll find it on the household cleaning aisle at the supermarket. The best one is more of a jelly than liquid.
Usual disclaimer applies WRT testing an inconspicuous area first.
Why do I know this? Well we live in a high lime scale area and have stainless steel eveywhere, and I've not installed my water softner in the new house (costly pipework).
Usual disclaimer applies WRT testing an inconspicuous area first.
Why do I know this? Well we live in a high lime scale area and have stainless steel eveywhere, and I've not installed my water softner in the new house (costly pipework).
trefor said:
Well we live in a high lime scale area and have stainless steel eveywhere, and I've not installed my water softner in the new house (costly pipework).
AIUI you can get a bit of kit that wraps around a regular pipe and uses electirc current to do the job for very little money.
simpo two said:
AIUI you can get a bit of kit that wraps around a regular pipe and uses electirc current to do the job for very little money.
I'd like to know the science behind that. Current in a coil wil make a magnet - but calcium carbonate is not magnetic...
Don't know the science (and it may well be rubbish!) but it certainly removes the 'white cloud' that occurs in the water first coming out of the taps in our area ... note that I don't have this system, a friend does.
simpo two said:
AIUI you can get a bit of kit that wraps around a regular pipe and uses electirc current to do the job for very little money.
I'd like to know the science behind that. Current in a coil wil make a magnet - but calcium carbonate is not magnetic...
Those electronic things might make a small amount of difference to the water, but they have 1% of the impact a proper water softner does. I had a nice system installed at the last house which I brought with me when we moved - thing is the mains comes into the house in the garage and I'd need to lift tons of tiled floor to get a 'fresh water' tap to the kitchen sink so I've not installed it. Pity, I love shaving with soft water. People who live in Devon/other soft water areas are lucky!
This is the nuclear option and is therefore one I would perform carefully, with a capitol F.
You can get "Spirit of Salts" from some hardware stores ... Robert Dyas, to my amazement, included. It is 32% hydrochloric acid. If you poor a little into a plastic container, you could apply it neat to the limescale using a cotton wool bud. (ONLY DO THIS IF THE REAR SCREEN IS QUITE DRY. If it runs onto the fabric it might well attack it. Also, if the concentrated acid mixes with a small amount of water, it may boil it producing very unpleasant fumes and possibly spitting.) At 32% it quite thick and will not run. It is so strong it will dissolve the limescale on contact (and fizz quite a bit). Once you've treated the area, rinse it off thoroughly with lots of cold water. Health warning: the neat acid produces nasty fumes that will irritate your nose. Unless you are wearing quite serious eye protection, I'd do everything at arm's length.
Ediited to say, Spirit of Salts really is the daddy of descalers, and is fine to use if treated with due respect.
>> Edited by ATG on Friday 15th August 10:48
You can get "Spirit of Salts" from some hardware stores ... Robert Dyas, to my amazement, included. It is 32% hydrochloric acid. If you poor a little into a plastic container, you could apply it neat to the limescale using a cotton wool bud. (ONLY DO THIS IF THE REAR SCREEN IS QUITE DRY. If it runs onto the fabric it might well attack it. Also, if the concentrated acid mixes with a small amount of water, it may boil it producing very unpleasant fumes and possibly spitting.) At 32% it quite thick and will not run. It is so strong it will dissolve the limescale on contact (and fizz quite a bit). Once you've treated the area, rinse it off thoroughly with lots of cold water. Health warning: the neat acid produces nasty fumes that will irritate your nose. Unless you are wearing quite serious eye protection, I'd do everything at arm's length.
Ediited to say, Spirit of Salts really is the daddy of descalers, and is fine to use if treated with due respect.
>> Edited by ATG on Friday 15th August 10:48
Update - I got it off with a household product called Shiny Sinks. It did a good job of removing the limescale, then I just went over the whole screen again with Renovo's plastic screen polish. It all came up a treat so I'm happy!
So anything that claims to remove limescale is probably a good bet.
So anything that claims to remove limescale is probably a good bet.
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