Whats the best way to clean a first stage

[that]

Just bought 30 old regulators from a dive shop that was closing out and want to try and refurbish the regs, mostly scuba pro and full of salt and some kinda green stuff.

Thinking of taking them apart and putting in new rings and filters but there in pretty bad shape. I've removed all the rubber parts and soap and water isn't doing it. Does anyone know of some kind of acid or strong but not hazordous material thats available on the market to do this?

 

[FredT]

The white stuff is normally carbonate salts. Those require an acidic solution to remove them. Easily available options are:

1. Vinegar(can be hard on chrome if heated or immersed for considerable time)
2. Orange juice (easier on chrome, but normally slower and more expensive)
3. Coke (can be hard on plating unless watched and/or constantly worked with a toothbrush)
4. Tomato sauce if heated slightly

Most SP first stages are economically toast if the piston seal area is corroded. Green stuff is corrosion from the copper after the plating has deteriorated. Those can be good "dry" air tool regulators and service regs for other things. Generally if you can see copper inside the cap, it's not long for the salt water world.

BTW parts for some Oceanic, Beauchat, SeaElite, and other piston regs will intrchange with some SP Mark V parts.

FT

 

[Tm530]

One of the best things I've found to clean regs is Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner. Comes in a white plastic bottle and is a blue liquid. Works great on corrosion. I'm not kidding. Second choice would be Vinegar, diluted with some water. Third, and only in extreme cases, is Muriatic Acid diluted with water (can be had at any decent pool supply store). Kepp an eye on them, and use a toothbrush or some other implement to work on the threads and hard to reach places.
Good luck.

If you decide to part with any of them, post some pics and they'll probably sell.
Tom

 

[Conch]

Vinegar in a ultrasonic cleaner works great.

Better yet, sent it to the dive shop and let them rebuild it professionally for you.