Removing Silica Water Stains

A. The only product out there that removes silica rings is AMAZE ⇨
You must work very hard but it will remove most of it. Then you use Aquapel [on eBay or Amazon] or a similar water repellent treatment -- I use one for auto glass. Every week you use dishwashing or any other soap and re-apply the water repellent when it wears down.

A. Great thread - I have been researching silica removal since it's high (60 mg/L) in my well water. In answer to the question about removing silica deposits from surfaces, I haven't found any chemical product that will remove it. One method that works for me is physically scraping the deposits (with a knife blade for example).

A. SODIUM HYDROXIDE (LYE) [on bakieBay or Amazon] DISSOLVES SILICA.
I CLEAN MY ARTIFACTS THAT ARE COVERED WITH SANDSTONE IN A SOLUTION OF: 1 TBL SPOON SODIUM HYDROXIDE (LYE) and 2 CUPS WATER.
I UP THE RATIO PER GALLON OR BY DIFFICULTIES IN THE PIECE.
20X FASTER THEN WATER ALONE. SOAK TIMES VARY FROM A DAY TO A WEEK OR HOW STRONG YOU MIX. USE CAUTION AS IT BURNS!
MOST HARDWARE STORES.
REGARDS

A. I am in the food and beverage chemical business. Silicates are a real problem in our industry. The only product that will remove silicate stains is HYDROFLUORIC ACID ⇨
I would not suggest anyone using this chemical for it releases poison gas and could very easily cause respiratory issues. However I have seen the removal, through cold cleaning, of silicates from hard surfaces like stainless steel. The process is performed using dry ice, through a pressurized gun and the process was like sand blasting but with dry ice. It cleaned the silicates off the surfaces and left nothing but water on the floor. There are companies that do this and I believe it is call cold cleaning. It really works very well on hard surfaces like process equipment etc. I have witnessed it in one of my customers facilities.

A. My family was in the car body shop business along with the auto detail business.

There is a product we buy in case quantities called Bio-Clean water and stain remover ⇨
It's manufactured in California USA and works surprisingly well to remove silica stains on glass.

A. We have a high silica content in the water, black faucets and glass shower doors. Glass door was getting cloudy even after one use...

I tried everything, including razor. AMAZ works on glass, but it's so much work! And it did not work on faucets & shower heads, since it does not soften or dissolve the deposits, it only scrubs it off.

Today I found Bio Clean: Eco Friendly Hard Water Stain Remover by Bio Clean Products. It's a green gel/paste. Not only scrubs the glass, it softens/loosens the hard build up on faucets, shower heads and such, which then can be cleaned with a toothbrush. It's the only product that was able to do this. As always, follow directions and instructions on the bottle.

A. I live in Cowlitz County that has a high silica content in the water. After trying many products, I tried Barkeepers Friend [on eBay or Amazon] on my glass shower door and the tile in my shower. It's an abrasive cleanser that doesn't scratch the glass or tile but works very effectively. I just wet a rag and sprinkled the cleanser on it and used some elbow grease and it worked. I squeegee the door and walls every time I shower and it keeps everything nice and shiny. BTW you can use it on faucets and everything else ... I also use it in the kitchen sink. It can be purchased at any store where the cleaning products are shelved. I hope this helps someone.

A. Hi Chris. To remove silica stains (by chemical dissolution as opposed to abrasive action) a product needs hydrofluoric acid (HF) or at least fluoride salts of some sort, and is therefore very dangerous stuff. If you search Amazon or other sites you will find water stain removers that claim to remove silica; then you can look up their SDS and you will find the fluoride listed. I quickly found one called "Powerhouse Shooter from Dynamic Research" [affil suggestion on Amazon].

But HF is something you don't want a dog or child to get into, and you only want to use while wearing goggles [on eBay or Amazon] and rubber gloves [on eBay or Amazon] and with Hydrofluoric Acid antidote/burn cream on hand ⇨
With 50+ years in plating & metal finishing and its toxic chemicals, HF is the one that scares me).

Luck and Regards,

A. Hi, I stay in Belhar, in Cape Town. When we use municipal water to wash our cars we have no silver traces on our cars and its windows. Our groundwater we use is extremely clear but leaves silvery traces on our vehicles.
I attributed this to sulfur in the water, but according to the general comments on this forum it appears to be silica in the water. I have however used coconut oil [on eBay or Amazon] as a Polish and continue using the groundwater and the stripes disappears for quite a while ± 2 to 3 weeks. Refined coconut oil is cheaper than virgin and I use the refined version to polish and condition various metals and glassware. Try it, and best of all it's organic.

  Thanks, Nazmie. Anything that reduces or eliminates the use of hydrofluoric acid and fluoride salts is good news indeed!

Regards,