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How to clean a brick trowel.

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Hi all.
I have been given an old brick trowel, but unfortunately it's covered in old, solid mortar. Does anyone know the best way to clean it all off. A friend suggested brick acid.
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Comments

  • Jonboy_1984
    Jonboy_1984 Posts: 1,233 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I would try soaking it in white vinegar for a couple of days, then probably remember the last one I bought from toolstation was  about £5 and not worth investing in chemicals I don’t already own…
  • baser999
    baser999 Posts: 1,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Tried banging it with a hammer? Does the mortar not break off? 
  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,244 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd hit the mortar with a small hammer to break it up. Be ready with some oil to stop it from going rusty once you have it clean. 
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • Thanks, I will try with a hammer. I didn't know if it would damage it. Would brick acid help?
  • MikeJXE
    MikeJXE Posts: 3,856 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Agreed yes hit it with a hammer and the bits you can't break off use a sander for the rest util it shines then oil it 
  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,454 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'd just buy a new trowel, they're not dear.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • MACKEM99
    MACKEM99 Posts: 1,059 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    baser999 said:
    Tried banging it with a hammer? Does the mortar not break off? 
    When I did that the handle broke off😆
  • stuart45
    stuart45 Posts: 4,848 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Once it's clean, make sure you clean every time after use. Acid will clean it, but the next day it will be seriously rusted up.
  • plumb1_2
    plumb1_2 Posts: 4,395 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I'd just buy a new trowel, they're not dear.
    You have to ware a trowel in, personally I cut the sharp end off with a grinder to make it rounded.
  • stuart45
    stuart45 Posts: 4,848 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What's a plumber doing with a brick trowel?😉
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