Cleaning used meter boxes (mortar and some other film)

[Dan-Ark]

Bought some used meter boxes off ebay and getting ready to install them. there is mortar where they were bricked in before, and a yellow film (wax maybe, like my walls have). My research indicates muriatic acid, my first thought, might damage the stainless so looking for alternatives. Anybody have a success story to share?

 

[Dan-Ark]

I mixed some white vinegar and water in a spray bottle seemed to do OK with a scotch brite pad, and some elbow grease.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Oven cleaner?

 

[MEP001]

Muriatic acid won't hurt stainless as long as you don't let it dry, but if you do it will turn it black. Toilet bowl cleaner works well, Sno Bol is cheap and works well. I've cleaned mortar off stainless by scraping the bulk off with a razor and cleaning with Klean Wall, and it looks like new. I don't recommend Scotch Brite since it will scratch - you can get away with it if you're careful and scrub exactly with the brushed finish, otherwise it will be obvious. A teflon safe scouring pad will work if you use a strong enough cleaner.