Hello all, After much lurking and research here I've purchased my first LQ trailer, used from a private party. There are a couple of issues which I knew about, and about which I will be consulting you all later. Today I need to solve the problem I didn't forsee!The person I bought the trailer from put a liberal amount of powdered lime down in between the mats and the floor - claimed it would neutralize horse urine etc etc, had done it with all his trailers. I scraped it away with my fingernail in several spots when looking at the trailer, and the floor didn't seem all that worse for the wear. My plan was to scrape it all out, acid wash the floor and either have a bedliner sprayed in or do it myself depending on how much budget was left. So about 1/2 of it is off but the other half is stubborn - have tried blasting it off with a pressure washer, poured some vinegar down and let it sit for about 10 minutes and pressure washed again, a little more came off and it seemed to soften things up a bit for scraping, but I'm wondering if the acid would take it off anyway, maybe I should just skip all the scraping and go straight to the acid? I've been using a plastic putty knife type thing and a very stiff scrub brush, sort of afraid I'll gouge the floor with a metal scraper so it's not super efficient. If anyone has any more mechanical type ideas for removal I'd be interested in those too. Thanks!
Posted 2012-03-14 7:25 PM (#142112 - in reply to #142104) Subject: RE: Alum Floor/Muriatic Acid
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The previous owner apparantly didn't realise that powdered lime, when commonly wetted by moisture, becomes hydrated lime, which is an alkaline solution that etches aluminum.
Muriatic acid is a weaker version of hydrochloric acid, which will clean lime deposits. Unfortunately it is very strong when used around aluminum, and has a strong odor which necessitates the use of a chemical respirator in any inclosed space. It is a definate health hazzard to use, especially in large volumes.
Muriatic acid is now available with a less smelly formula, but still should be a concern when used within inclosed areas. It may take several applications to break the lime free from the flooring, but it is probably the best way to clean the floor and treat any present corrosion.
There are mechanical means to abrade and clean the flooring, but with an active acid coating, not creating a spray or mist becomes a problem. A random orbit sander with a coarse non woven pad, cleans very well. A drill chucked with a brass brush wheel, normally polishes aluminum without destroying the base metal.
You might try the acid wash a few times to see how effective it is. Use an especially stiff roofing brush to agitate the acid onto the flooring. Let the acid then sit for at least 15 minutes or until you see no further chemical reaction. Well rinse the floor and examine the results. Anything remaining can then be safetly abraded without spreading the acid.
The flooring will then be ready for a coating, whether it is a single part cold applied DIY bed liner, or a two part commercial hot application. Never use lime around aluminum. With a liner applied, your only maintenance will be occassionaly to roll the mats and flush out the pax (butt) side. Normally you will not have to completely pull the mats again.
Posted 2012-03-15 4:59 PM (#142163 - in reply to #142143) Subject: RE: Alum Floor/Muriatic Acid
Expert
Posts: 2615
Yeah,I can't believe that,either.I'm certainly no Madame marie Curie,but,I have enough sense to know that putting powdered lime down on an aluminum floor could have some not so pleasant results.
Incidentally,lime is considered to be carcinogenic.
Alum Floor/Muriatic Acid
