Cleaning concrete splashes

[CaptLimey]

Anyone know an easy way to clean concrete splashes from painted metal? My newly acquired 2003 Benford PS 3000 dumper needs a new paint job but, like a lot of dumpers, the front axle and wheels are covered in concrete from splashes when tipping. Is there a more efficient way of removing the concrete than the 'chippy chippy bang bang' hammer method? For example is there an acid (hydrochloric?) or other chemical that will soften or remove it? Any advice gratefully received.
Rgds CL

[cncfabs]

Anyone know an easy way to clean concrete splashes from painted metal? My newly acquired 2003 Benford PS 3000 dumper needs a new paint job but, like a lot of dumpers, the front axle and wheels are covered in concrete from splashes when tipping. Is there a more efficient way of removing the concrete than the 'chippy chippy bang bang' hammer method? For example is there an acid (hydrochloric?) or other chemical that will soften or remove it? Any advice gratefully received.
Rgds CL

Looks pretty tidy to me :thumbs

[makeitfit]

Shot/bead blast it :sly

[clivvy]

im with MakeItFit, shot blast it! especially if you are repainting anyway!

[Lazy-Ferret]

Wickes sell a "Brick & Mortar Cleaner", it is an acid in a 5 litre plastic container.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/153779

Worked a dream for cleaning up my dodgy brick work. Use a stiff brush to put it on and work it in, and it leaves just the sand. The Jet wash got that off. In one or two places I had to re-do it, as it was to thick, but basically it works well.

[makeitfit]

It's ok for cement stains but it won't cut that lot off the dumper. It's also diluted big time so it can be sold over the counter.
You can however get proper acid from a chemist :sly but that causes issues with wash off and pollution and skin disappears bla bla :o
Blast it :naughty

[solarman216]

makeitfit is not wrong, acid will do nothing other than fizz and splutter, and when you wash it off the concrete is cleaner!! no, grit blasting is the answer and if you are going that far, paint it before it starts to show rust haze with 2 part epoxy, never need to paint it again, Rick

[CaptLimey]

Thanks for all the input/interest guys. Shot blasting sounds like the ideal solution but here in darkest France shot blasters are few and far between. Another suggestion received is to use a needle gun, I have a beefy compressor so that may be my preferred option - anyone know a good source for needle guns? Hydrochloric acid is also an option, I can buy it locally, combined they may do the trick. Thanks for the advice.
Rgds CL

[briggie]

is this any help ? :nenau

http://www.ehow.com/how_4881579_clean-concrete-off-car.html

[solarman216]

A needle gun is an option, nothing like as effective as blasting and will not get into nooks a crannies, the hydrochloric acid is what brick cleaner is, if you can get high strength then it will bubble and fizz more but not a lot else except attack other items you would it rather not, braiding on hoses for instance will rust soon after, and some forms of rubber seals will not like it, oh and needle guns are very noisy wear good ear muffs, Rick

[rayf3262]

hydrofluoric acid is the stuff for concrete, just check what it does to other materials though.

[solarman216]

hydrofluoric acid is the stuff for concrete, just check what it does to other materials though.

Are you sure you got that right Hydrofluoric acid if I remember correctly is the stuff that if it contacts your hand it eats into it and the only cure is amputation, Rick

[rayf3262]

Are you sure you got that right Hydrofluoric acid if I remember correctly is the stuff that if it contacts your hand it eats into it and the only cure is amputation, Rick
Yup that's the stuff, attacks the silica in the concrete, also why you will never see it stored in glass vessels, they dissolve too.
Read the MSD before going near it!
Probably cost a fortune for the PPE to use it safely.
I believe there are more user friendly alternatives available now though.

[solarman216]

Think you and I think the same way, I can be a bit extreme as well, Rick

[(RIP) PLANK]

It sounds, to me, like a needle gun, chisel and wire brush are the only practical solutions. other than leaving it as it is :

machine mart might be a good starting point :thumb2

[CaptLimey]

Thanks again guys, all good stuff much appreciated. I think I'll avoid the extreme acid and go down the needle gun route, after all it's not as though I want it in 'showroom condition'! I just want to tidy it up and cover up the rust patches and there's quite a few of those.
Rgds CL