How do you clean reflector with salt creep

bsk997 · 01/25/2006, 10:09 AM

I was given two sls t-5 reflectors from a friend but it had a lot of salt creep on it. I tried to clean off all the salt creep the best I can but there's still a lot of residue or "stains" still on it. Kind of like water spots on a car when you wash it. The stuff is in there pretty good and won't come out.
I tried to clean it with some windex but that didn't help. Is there anything out there that'll buff out the salt water stains in the reflector?
Thanks

areze · 01/25/2006, 10:12 AM

tagging along, its on my halide UV glass as well.

Ive been meaning to try vinegar.

SeanT · 01/25/2006, 10:14 AM

I have found that if you don't clean them regularly (monthly or so) that the stains become permanent.

bsk997 · 01/25/2006, 10:15 AM

Doh!
I was hoping that wasn't true.
I've wanted to try out vinegar as well but scared it will mess it up.

SeanT · 01/25/2006, 10:27 AM

YEah me too.

I tried vinegar, windex, the works.
If someone has a way to get off puh-lease let us know.

Sean

masterswimmer · 01/25/2006, 10:31 AM

I have an idea..........for someone else to try though

How about a Dremel tool with a soft tip wire bristle wheel on it?

I know it would work, but done carefully it might not be damaging to the polished finish. Or, some other kind of Dremel attachment.

Russ

SeanT · 01/25/2006, 10:35 AM

Ahhh when in doubt...DREMEL IT!

You are my kind of guy.

masterswimmer · 01/25/2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Ahhh when in doubt...DREMEL IT!

You are my kind of guy.

LMAO Sean. Keep that quiet though, we each have reputations to uphold!

bigfoot610 · 01/25/2006, 11:52 AM

you could try a little C L R cause marine tanks have all 3

david8956 · 01/25/2006, 11:57 AM

Try "Nevr Dull" made by Eagle One automotive products. It's a soft flannel type of material with some type of chemical added to it made specifically for polishing metals. (Also does a great job of removing stains from metal) Available most places that sell car cleaning / care products.

badpacket · 01/25/2006, 11:37 PM

Why not just try some Brasso on a small edge first? If it works, I would then do a full cleaning or two with vinegar and finish with RO maybe.

JR719 · 01/26/2006, 12:08 AM

For aluminum reflectors, you could try DuPont 606S. You can get it at your local auto paint shop. You mix it with water and buff. Takes a lot of elbow grease or a polishing wheel. I've used the stuff on aluminum and makes it shine like a mirror. I am not just saying that, it does look like a mirror. All the residue is used as compound. You will have to wipe accasionally with a rag soaked in water. whenever you start seeing black residue starting, clean off with water and a rag.
If you want to go another way, a dremel will work but takes time due to the low surface area of the cotton wheel. You can either use 606S or use jewelers rouge. The rouge is a stick paste and comes in a variety of grits. The dremel with the little wheel makes it look choppy. A larger wheel, around 6 to 8" works best. Just be sure on both the rouge and 606S to clean the wheel frequently. Meaning, taking a fork, flat piece of clean metal and shoving it into the wheel. This takes off the residue and buildup of compound.
Works great but is a little work. Good luck.

cerreta · 01/26/2006, 12:17 AM

You guys are killin me. Baking soda and warm water will remove staining on uv glass. Scrub it in with appropriate glass scrubber. I use it to clean cruddy looking tanks with calcium stains. It will probably work on reflectors, but I have never tried it. However, try using a softer acrylic scrubber pad on the reflector.

Let me know if this works.

masterswimmer · 01/26/2006, 12:38 AM

JR719, sounds real good. I like the choices. My biggest advantage (one of the ONLY ones with my acrylic tank) is the euro bracing. It protects the endcaps and a lot of the splashing in general. Most of my creep is on the center of the reflector.

Thanks again JR719. I'll be trying it.

Russ

JR719 · 01/26/2006, 12:41 AM

I'll warn you, the stuff is not "cheap". If you have a drill (as about everyone does) just find a cotton wheel around 6" with a mandril (to connect) and get to it. Don't spend too much time in one area. The more you heat the more material you take off. Not good. Hit it a little, wipe, then come back to it.
Good luck and it'l look new,
JR

masterswimmer · 01/26/2006, 12:47 AM

DuPont 606S.....how much could it be? $20? Just guessing.

Russ

snulma1 · 01/26/2006, 12:14 PM

Its metal, so you just need to polish it. So try some rubbing compound!

roons · 01/26/2006, 12:29 PM

blue magic, i havent tried it myself but this post made me think, this stuff is the best i have ever used on chrome in a paint shop, it even takes small scratches out of paint and overspray off of base coat without leaving scratches...........it will even take scratches out of clear plastic..................amazing stuff

http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p239172...er?sourceid=13

robmacy · 01/26/2006, 01:30 PM

i like the dremel with a buffing wheel. also maybe try vinegar baking soda water mixture with a green pad. not sure you want to try all kinds of chemicals.

speckled trout · 01/26/2006, 01:56 PM

Would Mother's metal polish that people use on chrome and rims work?

brentp · 01/26/2006, 01:58 PM

I tried the dremel with a buffing wheel and Brasso. The Brasso didn't do anything and the dremel was too much effort. A buffing wheel on a grinder would probably get the job done.

01/25/2006, 10:09 AM	#1
bsk997 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: OC Posts: 635	How do you clean reflector with salt creep I was given two sls t-5 reflectors from a friend but it had a lot of salt creep on it. I tried to clean off all the salt creep the best I can but there's still a lot of residue or "stains" still on it. Kind of like water spots on a car when you wash it. The stuff is in there pretty good and won't come out. I tried to clean it with some windex but that didn't help. Is there anything out there that'll buff out the salt water stains in the reflector? Thanks

01/25/2006, 10:12 AM	#2
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	tagging along, its on my halide UV glass as well. Ive been meaning to try vinegar. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

01/25/2006, 10:14 AM	#3
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I have found that if you don't clean them regularly (monthly or so) that the stains become permanent. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

01/25/2006, 10:27 AM	#5
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	YEah me too. I tried vinegar, windex, the works. If someone has a way to get off puh-lease let us know. Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

01/25/2006, 10:31 AM	#6
masterswimmer Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East of the Mississippi, north of the mason dixon line Posts: 3,255	I have an idea..........for someone else to try though How about a Dremel tool with a soft tip wire bristle wheel on it? I know it would work, but done carefully it might not be damaging to the polished finish. Or, some other kind of Dremel attachment. Russ __________________ I said, "look honey, we paid the mortgage and we have all this money left over for the tank." Her response confused me. She said we still needed to buy food and pay the utilities. Current Tank Info: 75 10ecor, SLS TEK 6 x 54w T-5, Lifereef sump & VS2-24" skimmer, 15 gal. AGA fuge

01/25/2006, 10:15 AM	#4
bsk997 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: OC Posts: 635	Doh! I was hoping that wasn't true. I've wanted to try out vinegar as well but scared it will mess it up.

01/25/2006, 10:35 AM	#7
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Ahhh when in doubt...DREMEL IT! You are my kind of guy. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

01/25/2006, 11:52 AM	#9
bigfoot610 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: coloradosprings , CO Posts: 449	you could try a little C L R cause marine tanks have all 3 __________________ Luke Yarrr internet space ships is serious bussiness Br1cksquad best squad Current Tank Info: i had 9 tanks but now i am startin up a 29 :) \o/ im back in the hobby

01/25/2006, 11:57 AM	#10
david8956 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Citrus Park, FL Posts: 1,133	Try "Nevr Dull" made by Eagle One automotive products. It's a soft flannel type of material with some type of chemical added to it made specifically for polishing metals. (Also does a great job of removing stains from metal) Available most places that sell car cleaning / care products. __________________ David Current Tank Info: 72 G Bowfront reef with custom Maple stand & canopy. 20 G sump, Eheim 1262 return pump, 2 MJ Stream mods. 2 - 250 watt SE 14K AquaConnects & 2 X 110 watt VHO. EuroReef ES 6-1 skimmer. 1/10hp Arctica chiller.

01/25/2006, 11:37 PM	#11
badpacket Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western NY Posts: 1,459	Why not just try some Brasso on a small edge first? If it works, I would then do a full cleaning or two with vinegar and finish with RO maybe.

01/26/2006, 12:08 AM	#12
JR719 Tang Cop Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: OK Posts: 2,240	For aluminum reflectors, you could try DuPont 606S. You can get it at your local auto paint shop. You mix it with water and buff. Takes a lot of elbow grease or a polishing wheel. I've used the stuff on aluminum and makes it shine like a mirror. I am not just saying that, it does look like a mirror. All the residue is used as compound. You will have to wipe accasionally with a rag soaked in water. whenever you start seeing black residue starting, clean off with water and a rag. If you want to go another way, a dremel will work but takes time due to the low surface area of the cotton wheel. You can either use 606S or use jewelers rouge. The rouge is a stick paste and comes in a variety of grits. The dremel with the little wheel makes it look choppy. A larger wheel, around 6 to 8" works best. Just be sure on both the rouge and 606S to clean the wheel frequently. Meaning, taking a fork, flat piece of clean metal and shoving it into the wheel. This takes off the residue and buildup of compound. Works great but is a little work. Good luck. __________________ Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success. Sigmund Freud Current Tank Info: 300 reef, Aqua controller, Deltec calcium reactor, Reeflo 250 skimmer, Icecap bla bla bla

01/26/2006, 12:17 AM	#13
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	You guys are killin me. Baking soda and warm water will remove staining on uv glass. Scrub it in with appropriate glass scrubber. I use it to clean cruddy looking tanks with calcium stains. It will probably work on reflectors, but I have never tried it. However, try using a softer acrylic scrubber pad on the reflector. Let me know if this works. __________________ Cheers, Scott

01/26/2006, 12:38 AM	#14
masterswimmer Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East of the Mississippi, north of the mason dixon line Posts: 3,255	JR719, sounds real good. I like the choices. My biggest advantage (one of the ONLY ones with my acrylic tank) is the euro bracing. It protects the endcaps and a lot of the splashing in general. Most of my creep is on the center of the reflector. Thanks again JR719. I'll be trying it. Russ __________________ I said, "look honey, we paid the mortgage and we have all this money left over for the tank." Her response confused me. She said we still needed to buy food and pay the utilities. Current Tank Info: 75 10ecor, SLS TEK 6 x 54w T-5, Lifereef sump & VS2-24" skimmer, 15 gal. AGA fuge

01/26/2006, 12:41 AM	#15
JR719 Tang Cop Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: OK Posts: 2,240	I'll warn you, the stuff is not "cheap". If you have a drill (as about everyone does) just find a cotton wheel around 6" with a mandril (to connect) and get to it. Don't spend too much time in one area. The more you heat the more material you take off. Not good. Hit it a little, wipe, then come back to it. Good luck and it'l look new, JR __________________ Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success. Sigmund Freud Current Tank Info: 300 reef, Aqua controller, Deltec calcium reactor, Reeflo 250 skimmer, Icecap bla bla bla

01/26/2006, 12:47 AM	#16
masterswimmer Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East of the Mississippi, north of the mason dixon line Posts: 3,255	DuPont 606S.....how much could it be? $20? Just guessing. Russ __________________ I said, "look honey, we paid the mortgage and we have all this money left over for the tank." Her response confused me. She said we still needed to buy food and pay the utilities. Current Tank Info: 75 10ecor, SLS TEK 6 x 54w T-5, Lifereef sump & VS2-24" skimmer, 15 gal. AGA fuge

01/26/2006, 12:14 PM	#17
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	Its metal, so you just need to polish it. So try some rubbing compound!

01/26/2006, 12:29 PM	#18
roons Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: saugerties ,ny Posts: 1,240	blue magic, i havent tried it myself but this post made me think, this stuff is the best i have ever used on chrome in a paint shop, it even takes small scratches out of paint and overspray off of base coat without leaving scratches...........it will even take scratches out of clear plastic..................amazing stuff http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p239172...er?sourceid=13

01/26/2006, 01:30 PM	#19
robmacy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Near Lk Michigan Posts: 74	i like the dremel with a buffing wheel. also maybe try vinegar baking soda water mixture with a green pad. not sure you want to try all kinds of chemicals.

01/26/2006, 01:56 PM	#20
speckled trout Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: South Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 696	Would Mother's metal polish that people use on chrome and rims work?

01/26/2006, 01:58 PM	#21
brentp Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sacramento Posts: 771	I tried the dremel with a buffing wheel and Brasso. The Brasso didn't do anything and the dremel was too much effort. A buffing wheel on a grinder would probably get the job done. __________________ Progress is made by lazy men looking for an easier way to do things. Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass.