Used Rubbermaids

[lilredwuck]

I just got a couple 100 gallon rubbermaids. They are not clean and have a lot of build up in them. What is the best way to go about cleaning them? I have heard of vinegar and water, but that is a ton of vinegar to buy. Power washer wasn't working the greatest either. Suggestions? Easiest way possible?

 

[shifty51008]

vinegar and water is going t be your best option. you don't have to fill the tub with it just a couple gal. will work enough just use 3 parts hot water to 1 part vinegar and wipe it on the area and let it soak before scrubbing it off.

 

[lilredwuck]

I got 1 "clean" with the powerwasher last night. The other one wasn't coming clean even with the powerwasher. There is still a little staining of red and a few places that aren't perfect. How clean does clean have to be. Also while powerwashing the bulkheads had silicone around them. Is this typical in a rubbermaid, or did the previous owner do this as an added precaution? The bulkheads have the gasket on them, and it seems like they just ran silicone around it after it was installed. Should I rerun the silicone?

 

[shifty51008]

if it is just cal. build up it should be fine to leave it.

as for the bulkheads, if it is the standard bulkhead that comes with it then they are known to leak even with the gasket. most people will replace it with a better quality one or you can just put the silicone back around it.

 

[lilredwuck]

There is the small bulkhead in the bottom, but whoever had it before me, put 2" bulkheads in them up top. He had 7 of them lined up, with the bulkheads up top. As for the calcium, that is mostly what it is, along with red coraline, which left a faint stain, and the other is maybe where he had sand in the bottom? It's sort of a red copper color. It seems more of a stain, than anything I can scrub. Tried to scrub it and a little came off, but it mostly just looks stained.

 

[shifty51008]

I would stay it is fine to use as is.

If they already replaced the standard bulkheads then I am not sure why he used silicone if they were put in properly.

 

[rwessels]

Muriatic Acid. I used almost a full bottle on mine and cleaned it up really well.

 

[lilredwuck]

And I would get the acid where? How much is it? How much would I use? etc.