Alternative to Mayhems Blitz for rad cleaning?

Sir Beregond · Nov 21, 2022

Astral85 said:
Sorry if I've missed something but what is recommended to use to clean the loop components, radiators and system as a whole? Would a cycle of dish soap work? I'll actually be putting a brand new LGA 1700 CPU block in so the only existing components will be my GPU water block and pump/res. I know Mayhems Blitz is trusted but it's far too expensive to order from the UK these days.

Really? Mayhems is a UK based company, where are you ordering from?

Astral85 · Nov 24, 2022

Sir Beregond said:
Really? Mayhems is a UK based company, where are you ordering from?

I know they're UK based. There was store here in NZ that used to stock Mayhems products but they've since gone out of business. The only place I can get it is directly from Mayhems in the UK...

Astral85 · Nov 24, 2022

RiffageGalore said:
For blitz pt 1, you can use distilled white vinegar. It is already diluted as it comes (5% acid), so I just pour it in to the rads straight up. Never use in the loop, it will damage nickel and possibly other stuff like acrylic.

For blitz pt 2, you can use liquid soap. A few drops and you will get the surfactants of blitz pt 2. Might want to just ensure the soap you are using doesn't also have nasty stuff in it, although I think Dawn is fine to use (even the kind with a bit of bleach in it...there isn't enough bleach in it to damage anything).

I have also seen people recommend using bleach to clean as an "in-between" of these two methods -- kills growth and cleans dirt out of there if you follow it up with a little soap. Just do not mix bleach and vinegar (chlorine gas, I think). I have not tried using bleach, but I've seen 25/75 bleach and distilled water recommended. I want to do some more research on that, because I'd love to have the option of a full-system cleaning agent that you can use on other parts aside from radiators.

Someone on an older thread suggested you need to follow up with baking soda to remove all of the distilled vinegar. Is that true?

For pt 2: we don't have Dawn down here, is that like a household dishwash liquid?

Astral85 · Nov 24, 2022

Someone on another thread also mentioned CLR. Does anyone know anything about that?

Shawnb99 · Nov 24, 2022

Astral85 said:
Someone on an older thread suggested you need to follow up with baking soda to remove all of the distilled vinegar. Is that true?

For pt 2: we don't have Dawn down here, is that like a household dishwash liquid?

Yes you need something to counteract the acid from the Blitz Part 1. Baking soda mixed with distilled will do that.
Yes Dawn is brand of dishwashing soap.

Astral85 said:
Someone on another thread also mentioned CLR. Does anyone know anything about that?

CLR would be used to clean the radiators. Do NOT use it your whole loop. Nickel plating is very sensitive. You do not want any harsh liquids coming into contact with it

Astral85 · Nov 24, 2022

Shawnb99 said:
Yes you need something to counteract the acid from the Blitz Part 1. Baking soda mixed with distilled will do that.
Yes Dawn is brand of dishwashing soap.

CLR would be used to clean the radiators. Do NOT use it your whole loop. Nickel plating is very sensitive. You do not want any harsh liquids coming into contact with it

Do you mean counteract the acid from the distilled vinegar? Can CLR be used instead of the distilled vinegar and baking soda (for rads)?

Shawnb99 · Nov 24, 2022

Astral85 said:
Do you mean counteract the acid from the distilled vinegar? Can CLR be used instead of the distilled vinegar and baking soda (for rads)?

No CLR is not safe for a radiator. Least not the normal kind. They do sell a Radiator flush version that MAY be compatible.

Sir Beregond · Nov 24, 2022

Astral85 said:
I know they're UK based. There was store here in NZ that used to stock Mayhems products but they've since gone out of business. The only place I can get it is directly from Mayhems in the UK...

Ah, I missed that the flag symbol on your profile was New Zealand. My mistake.

Astral85 · Nov 26, 2022

Shawnb99 said:
No CLR is not safe for a radiator. Least not the normal kind. They do sell a Radiator flush version that MAY be compatible.

Post #25 you said: "CLR would be used to clean the radiators."

Astral85 · Nov 26, 2022

How much distilled vinegar should I use to flush the radiator and how much baking soda to counteract the acid?

Astral85 · Nov 29, 2022

RiffageGalore said:
For blitz pt 1, you can use distilled white vinegar. It is already diluted as it comes (5% acid), so I just pour it in to the rads straight up. Never use in the loop, it will damage nickel and possibly other stuff like acrylic.

For blitz pt 2, you can use liquid soap. A few drops and you will get the surfactants of blitz pt 2. Might want to just ensure the soap you are using doesn't also have nasty stuff in it, although I think Dawn is fine to use (even the kind with a bit of bleach in it...there isn't enough bleach in it to damage anything).

I have also seen people recommend using bleach to clean as an "in-between" of these two methods -- kills growth and cleans dirt out of there if you follow it up with a little soap. Just do not mix bleach and vinegar (chlorine gas, I think). I have not tried using bleach, but I've seen 25/75 bleach and distilled water recommended. I want to do some more research on that, because I'd love to have the option of a full-system cleaning agent that you can use on other parts aside from radiators.

So the distilled vinegar doesn't need to be diluted any further? You haven't mentioned the use of baking soda to neutralize the acid afterwards as others have...

Astral85 · Nov 30, 2022

acoustic said:
https://www.keurig.com/Keurig®-Descaling-Solution/p/Keurig-Descaling-Solutionefault_color?&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shoppingfeed-ecomm&utm_campaign=shopping_google_brand_accessories&gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW68TQMwSYFlVFZTxVFBpHLl2Imvnt-IdIe9xZ0AVencmFjOnsPOdhRoC4SwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Is this an alternative to Blitz pt 1 or 2?

Astral85 · Nov 30, 2022

I may be overthinking this. Going to go with a vinegar flush of the rads and a dish soap flush of the loop. Hopefully Mayhems new owner will get some stock down here to NZ!

Bridgekeeper · Dec 4, 2022

If you email Mayhems direct ask for Daniel, they may be able to or contact a local NZ company and ask them to contact Mayhems direct.

White Vinegar is good, but buy at least 90 to 95% pure white vinegar and you need about 10% to 20% to water mix ratio. Keep it in the rad for at least 6 to 8 hours and slosh it about every now and then (every 2 hours).

Bicarb is needed after this and use 1 to 2 Tablespoons to 1 Ltrs of pure water. Leave it in an Uncapped radiator for 2 to 4 hours and slosh around every hour (just keep your finger over openings). DO NOT CAP THE RADIATOR WHILE USING BICARB. It creates gases that will expand when using bicarb.
When completed flush the rad with pure water 3 to 4 times to get everything out and you are ready to go.

I did this in a video a long time ago but now removed it from youtube and have no interest unless paid in reproducing such videos (to me the hobby has lost its appeal now)..

Astral85 · Dec 4, 2022

@Bridgekeeper I have spoken to Daniel (the new owner) and suggested some retail stores he could reach out to here in NZ.

Zfast4y0u · Dec 4, 2022

Bridgekeeper said:
If you email Mayhems direct ask for Daniel, they may be able to or contact a local NZ company and ask them to contact Mayhems direct.

White Vinegar is good, but buy at least 90 to 95% pure white vinegar and you need about 10% to 20% to water mix ratio. Keep it in the rad for at least 6 to 8 hours and slosh it about every now and then (every 2 hours).

Bicarb is needed after this and use 1 to 2 Tablespoons to 1 Ltrs of pure water. Leave it in an Uncapped radiator for 2 to 4 hours and slosh around every hour (just keep your finger over openings). DO NOT CAP THE RADIATOR WHILE USING BICARB. It creates gases that will expand when using bicarb.
When completed flush the rad with pure water 3 to 4 times to get everything out and you are ready to go.

I did this in a video a long time ago but now removed it from youtube and have no interest unless paid in reproducing such videos (to me the hobby has lost its appeal now)..

And what does this actually do? I had mayhems stain my rads inside, they are red. Could vinegar remove coolant stain?

vf- · Dec 4, 2022

Bridgekeeper said:
If you email Mayhems direct ask for Daniel, they may be able to or contact a local NZ company and ask them to contact Mayhems direct.

White Vinegar is good, but buy at least 90 to 95% pure white vinegar and you need about 10% to 20% to water mix ratio. Keep it in the rad for at least 6 to 8 hours and slosh it about every now and then (every 2 hours).

Bicarb is needed after this and use 1 to 2 Tablespoons to 1 Ltrs of pure water. Leave it in an Uncapped radiator for 2 to 4 hours and slosh around every hour (just keep your finger over openings). DO NOT CAP THE RADIATOR WHILE USING BICARB. It creates gases that will expand when using bicarb.
When completed flush the rad with pure water 3 to 4 times to get everything out and you are ready to go.

I did this in a video a long time ago but now removed it from youtube and have no interest unless paid in reproducing such videos (to me the hobby has lost its appeal now)..

The maintenance aspect or some other reason?

Sir Beregond · Dec 5, 2022

Astral85 said:
I know they're UK based. There was store here in NZ that used to stock Mayhems products but they've since gone out of business. The only place I can get it is directly from Mayhems in the UK...

Ah, I totally missed that was a New Zealand flag and not a UK one. My bad.

Sir Beregond · Dec 5, 2022

Zfast4y0u said:
And what does this actually do? I had mayhems stain my rads inside, they are red. Could vinegar remove coolant stain?

Same concept of a Blitz kit. The vinegar solution as an acidic cleaner. Do what Mick said, flush, and then follow-up with the bicarbonate solution to neutralize any vinegar left behind, followed by multiple flushes to clean it all out.

In a Blitz kit its the same concept. Part 1 is acidic and acts as the rad cleaner (similar to the vinegar solution). Finish and flush. Then do Part 2 which finishes the cleaning and neutralizes any potential Part 1 left in the rad. Then flush it all out and test pH.

Bridgekeeper · Dec 19, 2022

As above, Sorry not on here much anymore! got my ass buried in retro repairs and arcade boards.

Alternative to Mayhems Blitz for rad cleaning?

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vf-

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