Found a great cleaning method for attys

[brandon555]

Phosphoric acid. I have access to it at work so Im not sure how easy it is for others to obtain.

I had two 901s that were barely working after some heavy use. I tried dry burning them but no matter what only one tiny part of the coil would glow orange. I soaked them in 50% phosphoric for an hour then diluted it down with water and continued to let it soak for another two hours to ensure the acid had time to work. Rinsed them out real well and blew out with air.

After that they literally worked like new. All of the gunk was off the coil... which sometimes is difficult to do especially since I was vaping a lot of TV Tastyfinger on it.

 

[spider362]

Per Wikipedia:

Phosphoric acid may be used as a "rust converter", by direct application to rusted iron, steel tools, or surfaces. The phosphoric acid converts reddish-brown iron(III) oxide (rust) to black ferric phosphate, FePO4.

"Rust converter" is sometimes a greenish liquid suitable for dipping (in the same sort of acid bath as is used for pickling metal), but it is more often formulated as a gel, commonly called naval jelly. It is sometimes sold under other names, such as "rust remover" or "rust killer". As a thick gel, it may be applied to sloping, vertical, or even overhead surfaces.

Phosphoric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apparently Phosphoric acid can also be found in cola soft drinks, which may be why the Diet Cola cleaning may work.

Some more information about Phosphoric acid: 11 Quick Facts about Phosphoric Acid (Yes, that Chemical in Coca Cola)

 

[k3vin]

Phosphoric acid is used in PH DOWN for aquariums..not sure about concentration though..will look around today at the pet stores..pretty inexpensive also.

 

[Anglo]

I have bought it in gallon jugs at Home Depot, but they didn't have it the last couple of times I looked. One of its uses is to remove the hazy residue sometimes remaining on tile after grouting (if it wasn't thoroughly cleaned off with a damp sponge before the job was done).

 

[Curlygirl27]

Gosh, I wonder if it would work to just soak the atty in some coca cola?

 

[spider362]

I think it's Diet Coke. You don't want the sugar from regular Coke to gum up the heating element.

 

[bombastinator]

cola is one of the standard suggested cleaning methods. I understand its not nearly as effective a smoker's polident though. Makes me wonder what all is in smoker's polident.

 

[2mitts]

Geesh, I thought i had hit the holy grail with the Coke method! Worked like a charm cleaning mine up, but now I'll have to invest in some polident . . .go figure!