Best way to clean really dirty coil.

[Simeonx1]

The air conditioning units im trying to clean are really dirty from coil dust . there so black after using the strongest viper coil cleaning product , the air on is still black in colour , these coils are copper . they still look black after cleaning..

Is this the best its ever going to get . or it there a product that will get them looking copperish again.

The viper product is similar to this http://www.refrigtech.com/Product/Coil_Cleaners/Viper_E_Plus/vipereplus.html ,

It cleans the copper pipe really nice but can get it of the coil . need some kinda copper cleaning product ?

[stufus]

Never come across a totally copper coil ,as in both passes and fins are copper.....
If you have the required airflow across the coil the colour is irrelavant.
Fin coatings come in many colours including black
Aggressive coil cleaners and chemicals should be avoided as some have the potential to eat through the poly driptrays ,plus they have to be deemed safe for use in inhabited spaces.
Try steam if you feel you have to persist.
Cheers
Stu

[install monkey]

dean and wood used to do an orange smelling aerosol of coil cleaner-smelt nice-sprayed it on a daikin underceiling- 2wk later got a call to leaking water-walked on site with a condensate pump to find the polystyrene drip tray melted-took 16week to get a replacement as its not a recognised spare part- for cleaning dirt coils-i just use a garden sprayer with evap or cond coil cleaner with warm water and repeatedly blast it - not the best idea for a fridge condenser-but effective

[moondawn]

hi install monkey was that cleaner called grease gobbler? if so that stuff is lethal.

[install monkey]

it was similar to that- bout 15yr ago- probably banned as it was good stuff-gave me bro some grease gobbler to get his back wheel clean on his bike- the oil stains fell off- but so did the blue powder coating!-
tip- dont use grease gobbler on fridge condensers in kitchens- gets the aluminium fins sparkly but it will clear the kitchen-and it makes u cry too!!! haha

hi install monkey was that cleaner called grease gobbler? if so that stuff is lethal.

[Magoo]

By interprutation, are you talking coal dust and reaction with copper coils. The black colouring is from the hydrogen sulphide in the coal dust, It is a real problem in volcanic regions here, disolves the phosphorus in silfos weld rods, and leaks at every weld. 50% silver soldering rods required. The black looking copper wont go away and eventually the copper will pit corrode. definitly reduces the life span of a/c equipement.

[Simeonx1]

Thanks for you replys , the grease gobbler sounds as strong as the **** im using ha there like $4500 copper coils or something . The coil im talking about are the condenser coils then have a stainless steel drip tray , and are washed of sight.
We are charging 500 bucks for a coil clean so just trying to make it look as good as new as possible. If the black colouring is from hydrogen sulphide coil reaction thats fine then. none of the solder joins have been stuff from this , more from vibratio

isnt hydrogen sulphide a gas and wouldnt it be out of the coal dust before it gets to the coil ?

[Magoo]

Hello Simeonx.
The discolouring you have previosly discribed certainly would indicate the down stream effects of
hydrogen sulpdide, it comes out of the coal after open cast digging and conveyoring what ever/ ing and is in the atmosphere. It comes from the yellowy streaks in the coal. Cannot remember if it is from high grade coking coal or low grade general coal. We are talking parts per million. PPM. Nasty stuff

[SeanB]

Do as I do and give the new coils a thin coating of aluminium paint ( a thin coat with a spray can for small coils, a spray gun with paint for a big one) and this will reduce corrosion on the coils. Any coating that prevents the actual metal of the coil or fins getting exposed helps. I generally sprat the coil with the fan running to draw the spray into the core. Not perfect but the coils take longer to rot from salt spray here on the coast.

[Simeonx1]

We dont gets to see the coils when there new. And there copper . we do clean them and spray them with anti corrosion KOIL KOTE spray.

Salt is a big problem for units that are made cheap and not to battle to coast conditions .

Just out of interest what can you put on a new air con condenser to stop it rusting so fast . The condenser bottoms seem to rust after a few years due to the water and salt .

[SeanB]

Strip it and give it a coat of bitumenous aluminium roofing paint with a brush. Paint inside the panels, a thick coat on bottom tray and underneath. Then reassemble, dipping the threads of each screw in the paint before assembly, and then dab them again when done - very messy, do it over a big cardboard sheet like the one the outdoor unit came in, then leave to dry. Do another coat on outside after you have it up and it will last a little longer. The goal is to keep the bare metal from getting exposed, that is why you have to coat everything and assemble wet.