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\"Green Stuff\"

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Bill NTSG
Bill NTSG Member Posts: 321
For removing the green corrosion from flux on soldered joints. We had a new guy start at work and I guess he does not wipe his joints. He also has the annoying habit of painting the joint with the flux brush after he solders. I went back to installation we did last week to fix a leak today and all the pipes were green as grass.I wiped 'em with a rag as best as I could. Any chemical solution or "tricks" ?????

Comments

  • We work with one guy

    who sprays WD-40 on all the solder joints after they cool off , then wipes it away with a rag . I know what youre talking about - alot of the guys I work with turn the brush into a flux stub . Point out to the kid that it says right on the can to use it sparingly . I think I know what hes doing though - hes using the extra flux to cool off the fitting .

    I dont know of any tricks to get the green out except steel wool , a rag and elbow grease . Good luck .
  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
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    I have found...........

    that fine steel wool works best for cleaning up the copper piping before I seal them up. Takes off all of that stuff as well leaves a great shine!

    Warm Regards,

    heatboy

    "Expert in Silent Warmth"™

    610.250.9885

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    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
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    clean up the joint

    also works great for your hands and tools. Get the ones with the grit (pumice) and citrus cleaner. Make sure the joint is cooled off first :)

    hot rod

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  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
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    Try Noxon metal cleaner. It will take it off. Only other way is to re-heat the joint to get it truly clean.

    Mark H

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  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
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    Some light machine oil

    on the steel wool seems to speed the process a bit.
  • Bill NTSG
    Bill NTSG Member Posts: 321
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    Thanks

    For the response. I am hesitant to use any "oil" type stuff. Being an oil man I know oil and soldered joints don't mix so well. Like when your fittings or tubing get oily and you try to solder 'em. ?? I was looking for a soap and water type suggestion. Or some old kitchen remedy like vinegar or lime juice or hocus pocus ??????? Well thanks. I think the best thing is to wipe with a damp rag while the tubing is still warm after soldering. Bill {not the science guy}Nye.
  • Paul_6
    Paul_6 Member Posts: 88
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    > For the response. I am hesitant to use any "oil"

    > type stuff. Being an oil man I know oil and

    > soldered joints don't mix so well. Like when your

    > fittings or tubing get oily and you try to solder

    > 'em. ?? I was looking for a soap and water type

    > suggestion. Or some old kitchen remedy like

    > vinegar or lime juice or hocus pocus ??????? Well

    > thanks. I think the best thing is to wipe with a

    > damp rag while the tubing is still warm after

    > soldering. Bill {not the science guy}Nye.



  • Paul_6
    Paul_6 Member Posts: 88
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    > For the response. I am hesitant to use any "oil"

    > type stuff. Being an oil man I know oil and

    > soldered joints don't mix so well. Like when your

    > fittings or tubing get oily and you try to solder

    > 'em. ?? I was looking for a soap and water type

    > suggestion. Or some old kitchen remedy like

    > vinegar or lime juice or hocus pocus ??????? Well

    > thanks. I think the best thing is to wipe with a

    > damp rag while the tubing is still warm after

    > soldering. Bill {not the science guy}Nye.



  • Paul_6
    Paul_6 Member Posts: 88
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    the pipe turns green

    because the acid in the flux is still working on the joint. you need to nuetralize the acid with some baking soda in water,and a scotch brite pad. good luck breaking this guy of this habit Paul.
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