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C-Nile
Joined: 09 May 2008
Posts: 638
City/Region: Connecticut
State or Province: CT
C-Dory Year: 2012
Vessel Name: Betty Ann
Photos: C-Nile
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 Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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| rogerbum wrote: | | C-Nile wrote: | | C-Hawk wrote: | | I bought the Salt-Away for the applicator, now that the Salt-Away is gone I use white vinager- works just as good and a lot cheaper. |
When you mix salt with vinegar and water, it creates a salt: sodium acetate. Also, spraying a mild solution of Acetic acid on metal surfaces such as copper wires could cause corrosion. Salt Away, or just plane water will yield good results without negative consequences.
Rich |
Rinsing salt out with Salt Away also creates a salt - Sodium Sulfamate. In fact any acid will contain a counter ion that will make a salt with sodium. What matters is whether or not the solution increases the solubility of the various compound (including NaCl) that create a scale on the metal surfaces. Sulfamic acid (the primary active component of saltaway) is a weak acid but is a much strong acid than acetic acid. Either, if left in contact with metal at high enough concentrations for long enough will cause corrosion and both should be followed with additional fresh water. Sulfamic acid (being a stronger acid) is much better at removing the deposits that attach themselves to surfaces. It should be noted that "salt" - e.g. NaCl is probably not the only concern in terms of what clogs up engine components or creates the films we see on many things. Magnesium and calcium carbonates are also in sea water and they are responsible for the "scale" or "lime" deposits we see in many things. Weak acids are particularly good at removing these other types deposits. |
One of the benefits of this website is for all of us to learn from one another's diverse knowledge and experience, and I am truly grateful to participate. So in that spirit, I ask how did you determine that the primary component of Salt-Away was sulfamic acid, when the manufacurer has not released that information and consider it to be proprietary? I did a search and saw one obscure reference to your claim in an internet forum that I don't consider to be credible. The below link is from Salt-Away's website, and while they don't list their "secret" ingredient, they claim it is safe for many metals including aluminum. If they truly were using sulfamic acid, it would be corrosive to aluminum and other metals, yet in their literature, they explicitly stated it was safe for aluminum.
I'm not a chemist, and I do realize that acetic acid is weaker then sulfamic acid, but would choose not to apply either solution, weak or not, to the surface of my boat for fear of causing corrosion in wiring, wire contacts and other metallic surfaces. So if your assertion is correct, I would choose to use it only as an engine flush. That's why I would like to know how you came upon your information.
Salt-Away website:
[url] http://www.salt-away.com/formula.asp
Rich
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Marinaut 215 - "Betty Ann" Sept-2011
CD 16 Cruiser "C-Nile" Sold 06/2011 |
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beermanPDX
Joined: 01 Feb 2012
Posts: 261
City/Region: Portland
State or Province: OR
Photos: Jean Marie
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Salt-Away MSDS
It states a pH of 6.2. Far less acidic than vinegar. It's about the same pH as milk.
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Cheers 
Rob
2008 25 Cruiser - Sold
2002 Nordic Tug 32/4 - Sold
1989 40 Tollycraft Sport Sedan |
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C-Nile
Joined: 09 May 2008
Posts: 638
City/Region: Connecticut
State or Province: CT
C-Dory Year: 2012
Vessel Name: Betty Ann
Photos: C-Nile
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| beermanPDX wrote: | Salt-Away MSDS
It states a pH of 6.2. Far less acidic than vinegar. It's about the same pH as milk. |
You are right Rob, I did not see that in the literature. PH neutral is 7.0. This would certainly be safe for metallic surfaces. This tends to refute the presence of sulfamic acid, albeit not necessarily if it is present in minuscule amounts. In comparison, as you stated, it is near the PH of milk. In this new light, I see no problem with applying this to my boat's exterior surface.
Thanks!
Rich |
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dread
Joined: 06 Apr 2012
Posts: 89
City/Region: Berkeley
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Tessa
Photos: Tessa
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:56 am Post subject: Salt-Away |
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| Salt-Away directions say not to rinse engines with water after flushing with Salt Away because Salt Away leaves a protective coating. Is this wrong? |
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C-Nile
Joined: 09 May 2008
Posts: 638
City/Region: Connecticut
State or Province: CT
C-Dory Year: 2012
Vessel Name: Betty Ann
Photos: C-Nile
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Salt-Away |
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| dread wrote: | | Salt-Away directions say not to rinse engines with water after flushing with Salt Away because Salt Away leaves a protective coating. Is this wrong? |
I think you are right about the coating, but don't remember. However, when I flush the engine with Salt-Away, I don't follow up with fresh water. The exception to this is that after I use the product to wash down the exterior of my boat and its canvas, I follow up with fresh water, because I don't want any residue to build up ( if indeed that is possible.)
Rich |
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