I want to disolve iron deposits built up from bore water, left on various surfaces. What can I use ? ?

Question

The surfaces to be cleaned are mostly of a metal nature, such as hardened steel, stainless steel or the like. I know oxalic acid in solution can help with rust stains, but I think that might not be strong enough to disolve the deposits.

Answer 1

Phosphoric acid is also used, but if the deposits contain any calcium (usually as calcite), phosphoric and oxalic acids should not be used due to the formation of insoluble precipitates with calcium.  Because it sounds like some of your deposits formed by precipitation from water rather than corrosion of metal, calcium may be present.

Sodium dithionite (available as a product called "Super Iron Out") can remove iron oxide deposits and will not form insoluble deposits with calcium.

Hydrochloric acid will dissolve the deposits if nothing else will, but will also corrode the steel, so it is not a good choice.

Answer 2

Oxalic acid is the best for rust but sulfamic acid will dissolve scale and no attack the base metal.