Hi all, figured I'd enter Ebay's contest just for kicks (and a shot at the $$ 8+D ! )

Did you guys know you can buy a cheap, over-the-counter, easily obtainable (Home Depot)

cleaner that will do amazing things? 

It will eliminate all kinds of nasty stains, hard water deposits, restore tile & grout in tilework, rust from steel & rusty stains on cement, clean all kinds of metals, on & on, too much too list.

The real secret that folks (cleaning products manufacturers) don't want you to know is that most cleaning products (Ajax, Comet, etc) contain abrasives.

Think of toothpaste for instance. Did you know that many toothpastes used to contain contain Diatomaceous earth? That is, they (manufacurers) had put little tiny shells of prehistoric animals that acted as the scrubber particles in the toothpaste! I know, sounds far out, but it's true (most now use hydrated Silica, which isn't good either, because it wears on your tooth enamel too -think silica sand! ( my sis is an endodontist-& she recommends toothpastes containing Baking Soda-seriously) 

So OK, what does this have to do with my bathroom for instance?

If you are happy with hosing down your shower stall, sink, toilet, & tile with a little water, sprinkling Comet over everything, whipping out the biggest scrub brush you can find, then furiously attacking them all til you're blue in the face, read no further.

If you are tired of doing it that way, like I was, read on!

The problem lies with this abrasion deal. Scrubbing powders scratch stuff, for one thing. Think of that brand-new $ 200. faucet you just put into your kitchen a few months back. It's starting to get that white crusty stuff around it, right? It IS tough to get off. No doubt about it. It's  mineral deposits from the water that comes out of our taps. Specifically, Calcium deposits. I don't care how many filters you have under the sink, it will show up sooner or later, guaranteed.

Now, mixed in with the Calcium crusties is soap scum, oils, bits of food, old toothpaste (I know YUK but bear with me :) dirt, grime, & other unmentionable stuff, STUCK to your brand-new beautifully polished & chromed faucet & shiney porcelain fixures. &*%$!! Bad word Bad word...

So the LAST thing we want to do is sand off the grunge with powdered cleaners! Yep it's true. Use that stuff ONE time on a new faucet, then wipe off & look close...

It's SCRATCHED!!! AAAARRRRRGGGG!! And guess what? It's permanent. Especially chrome stuff. Yep, no way to make them go away. Ever. Oh you can take your stainless steel to a professional polisher & he will make it look like new again, but how many times are you going to pull that kitchen  sink out of the counter top & take it downtown with you?? I think not.

So, the only way to clean them properly & effectively is to dissolve the deposits.

Yes dissolve. That is, this mystery substance actually melts the grime & grunge down into a liquid that is easily washed away, using only an old paint brush.

OK OK what is it?

Anyone who's ever had a Coke or Pepsi (or lots of other carbonated drinks) feels it's effects every time they take a swig!

Ok Chuck COME ON!!

Alright It's called Phosphoric Acid.Yep it's in Coke, Pepsi, & all those drinks. It gives them that tart taste. Really- go look on the ingredients.

Get out! I'm not having ANYTHING to do with any ACID you're saying to me now. And yes I know the amount of it in them is low. (It's higher than you might think)

OK I know it's scary. But it is & it isn't. Yes you need to wear gloves. And a pair of goggles. And you try not to get it on your skin. And yes a thicker style dust/particle mask if it's in a confined area that your working in..

It's not like it's going to dissolve your finger the moment it touches it. Really. As packaged for the public, it is a moderately strong acid, but nowhere near the concentration of Muriatic (Hydrochloric)  PH balancing acids (also found at Depot) that folks use in their swimming pools. That acid is fairly nasty.

The product is labelled as driveway cleaner. Yep driveway cleaner. Meant for cleaning stains from concrete (not blacktop drives though) Made by Behr (the paint folks)

Pick up at your local Home Depot for around $11. a gallon.

The real nice part about this product is that it contains a soap type compound in conjuction with the phosphoric acid which liquifies (called a surfactant) oils and greases  along with dissolving the hard mineral residues.

When diluted approximately 1:1 with water, that is, one part driveway cleaner and one part water mixed together, this makes an amazingly effective cleaner for many places in the home, office or workshop. For chrome fixtures it's incredible. I've used it for about 10 years on my bathroom faucets & to this day they look like the day I installed them!

The beauty of this is that it cannot scratch surfaces. Can even be applied with a sponge & rinsed down with a sponge. You will probably never have to use a brush again. Really, it's incredible.

I do a test on a small area to see if it will work on a particular application. Some metals will start to dissolve, like aluminum, so be cautious. Also some clear-coated metals like lacquered polished brass need a test to be safe.

As with any and all chemicals, do not let your kids come in contact with them.

Always remember to pour the acid into water. Never add water into any undiluted acid.(it can cause a reaction) Wear goggles to protect eyes. Really important.Wash out your working containers completely & only use them for the same cleaning solution. Don't use the tupperware your going top eat out of ! I know, common sense right. Right. (yep plastic is OKto store working solution in-remember it comes in a plastic bottle)

And yes I do speak with some authority on the subject, I currently own & operate a small vintage automotive restoration shop here in North San Diego County. Received my Bachelors in Industrial/Scientific Photography from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, have an Associates Degree in metal finishing technology, and 20+ years work experience  in the electroplating/polishing/automotive painting industries.

So in conclusion, if you're willing to try a new way of cleaning things by utilizing the principals of  simple chemical reaction processes, you WILL be out doing other productive (or relaxing) things instead... Remember that old DuPont saying? Better living through chemistry. Totally applies here. Be not afraid my fellow Ebanites!

Cheers & Happy Cleaning!

Chuck S.

Chazpix6vvo

PS, I forgot to mention that your surface is now effectively sterilized to a high degree (not many little bugs can handle a good acid pickling)

PSS It's also the same stuff they show you on those late-night TV ads! Restoration this, that, the other ting...ya right