Anyone used Star Brite Salt Off compared to Salt Away?

[haknslash]

I'm at the beach and i swing by the local bait and tackle shop to pick up some Salt Away but they didn't carry it. They did carry Star Brite Salt Off which looks to be pretty much the same thing. Anyone used it with their boat?

 

[2nazt]

I have not but any product like that salt away, or salt Termintor will be okay. I use salt Termintor with good results I think @ClemsonTiger uses Salt Away. He may be able to chime in on Salt Off

 

[haknslash]

I just got back to the condo only to find that my father-in-law has gone to Walmart so I asked him to look for Salt Away while he's there. I'd rather use what everyone else is using but I guess they all work the same. I just like the fact that Salt Away specifically states jet engines and the Salt Off just says inboard and outboards. If he finds Salt Away I'll see if I can take the Salt Off back for a refund otherwise I'll just use it since it cost $40.

 

[haknslash]

Well the Walmart here doesn't carry salt away so I'm just going to use the salt off. I'm sure it'll do the job fine. I'm only here for the week and then will be back to fresh water lakes.

 

[2nazt]

If you try a dealer/marina they probably carry a product.

 

[swatski]

I looked it all up before the Bimini trip earlier this year...

The MSDS on Salt Away lists the active ingredient as sulfamic acid. For those of us who home brew (or used to) - that is what you use as primary cleaner for all the equipment, tanks and hoses. There is nothing else there in Salt Away but dye, so if you want to make your own, you could save some money. I would use a 3% solution.

Here's what Wikipedia says about it:

Sulfamic acid is used as an acidic cleaning agent, sometimes pure or as a component of proprietary mixtures, typically for metals and ceramics. It is frequently used for removing rust and limescale, replacing the more volatile and irritating hydrochloric acid, which is however cheaper. It is often a component of household descaling agents, for example, Lime-A-Way Thick Gel contains up to 8% sulfamic acid and pH 2 - 2.2,or detergents used for removal of limescale. When compared to most of the common strong mineral acids, Sulfamic acid has desirable water descaling properties, low volatility, low toxicity and is a water soluble solid forming soluble calcium and iron-III salts.

Some other brands, like Salt Terminator, use sodium nitrite. Also found in pickling/brine salts and meat cures (like Prague 2 - along with sodium nitrate).
Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it in relation to corrosion:

Sodium Nitrite is an effective corrosion inhibitor and is used as an additive in industrial greases, as an aqueous solution in closed loop cooling systems, and in a molten state as a heat transfer medium

--

 

[haknslash]

Picked up some Salt Away and T9 from West Marine. Of course now it looks like rain is trying to set in lol.

 

[Bennie]

@haknslash don't forget that @JetBoatPilot is right around the corner in Panama City Beach. I believe that they should have Salt-Away in stock. As well as Boat Bling products!!

 

[haknslash]

Just finished my flush and wash down of the boat using Salt Away. Man this stuff really works wonders removing all the crusty salt crystals. I feel better knowing I used it.

BTW I ran a full adapter cup of it through the engine until I saw the cup was clear and I made sure no more foam mix was coming out of the exhaust or owe holes. That's what you guys do right?

 

[OCMD]

I run in brackish water, but still flush. First, with plain hose water for about 8 minutes. Then, the Salt Away but as soon as it fades out of the dark blue color, I stop. No sense running more plain old water through the system, and flushing out the Salt Away chemicals that you do want to leave behind - over time it builds a protective layer and continued flushing only washes the salt away, away. You want to leave it in there, after it has coursed through the system. Any excess you can use to spray down the trailer and the underside of your tow vehicle. Then, repeat on other side. Yes, anal. But that's why my sh&t still looks and runs like new.

 

[ruztew]

I live in PCB and use Salt Away, I flush with fresh water for 10mims, then then Salt Away until I get foam out of the engine exhaust and then turn off the hose, then turn off the engine. I proceed to use the remaining salt away on my trailer.

 

[Britboater]

I use salt away but lately I've used West Marines own brand, with no noticeable negative results.
As for the acid content, yes beware, I spilt a little on my rear deck hydro turf on my 190 and it reacted making it go hard and shrink.