Grey/black solder after cleaning

[newbiboozer]

I've run a vinegar run through my new bubbler and the solder itself is still an oxidised greyish black colour. Is this normal. I have used Cigweld brand Com weld 965 solder that is lead free and says its food and medical safe. Is this just how solder goes or will it clean up on the ethanol cleaning run.

[dogbreath vodka]

Yes NB it is normal
I use Aquasafe and get the same result.
As far as I can tell it will stay that colour from now on.
It should be mostly tin and it is just oxidised.

So when is the first spirit run? :D

DBV

[newbiboozer]

Just pulled it apart and as you can see in the photos there is some black shit built up at the bottom of each SG and a distinct darkening of the solder. is this normal will the ethanol clean it is my solder shit. FARK :angry-banghead: :crying-blue:

[newbiboozer]

Yes NB it is normal
I use Aquasafe and get the same result.
As far as I can tell it will stay that colour from now on.
It should be mostly tin and it is just oxidised.

So when is the first spirit run? :D

DBV

Thanks mate. What about the black build up of shit you can see in the pic that wiped off on my finger. Should I just wash it in dish washing liquid n do the ethanol run n see what happens. I'm really concerned about the safety side of this but don't see if it says food safe why its done this. I guess it could be from anywhere as the boiler is new too.

[dogbreath vodka]

Not seen that in mine but you are using stainless with the copper.... might be something to do with that reacting with the vinegar.

Clean it off and do the sacrificial run.... that seasons the still and you will be reeeeadyyyyy to ruuuuumble. :D :D

If you are really worried about the solder you used, look it up on the net and get the safety sheet for it.

DBV

[newbiboozer]

Thanks DBV. I did see back a few months ago there was someone with the same drama but I can't find it now. Anyone with similar problems I would love to hear from you.

[Bushy]

Whats the ring of black shit around the downcomer? Does it wipe of on yr finger as well ? Doesn't look right mate :handgestures-thumbdown: But i can't think what the problem may be. Did ya clean all the joins up (wire brush or similar) after the welding?

[newbiboozer]

Yeah Bushy everything was shiny clean when I started. I washed everything in soapy water then 5 minute soak in citric acid and Scotch Brite scrub. just finished the ethanol cleaning run and no black shit now so dunno what I was.

[MacStill]

First time I've seen anything quite like that, but then it's also the first time I ever heard of anyone using Cigweld brand Com weld 965 :think:

Personally I would give it an alcohol cleaning run after wire brushing as bushy says, then see what happens as it's possible it's just flux residue reacting with vinegar ;-)

edit: posted same time as NB

[newbiboozer]

I think you may be right Mac with the reaction between the flux and vinegar. It done some funny shit when soaking in vinegar with big glutinous stringy shit on it.

[Gas on]

I use comweld 965 for copper to s/s. :handgestures-thumbupleft: I think its good shit.

First time I've seen anything quite like that, but then it's also the first time I ever heard of anyone using Cigweld brand Com weld 965 :think:

Personally I would give it an alcohol cleaning run after wire brushing as bushy says, then see what happens as it's possible it's just flux residue reacting with vinegar ;-)

edit: posted same time as NB

:text-+1:

[CH3CH2OH]

Great example of why cleaning runs are important. The high temp vinegar vapour and subsequent alcohol vapour cleans away junk that scrubbing alone can't get