rust removal with muratic acid?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Sulphur, LA
rust removal with muratic acid?
has anyone ever used this acid to remove rust or paint? my 54 has alot of surface rust on frame, suspension, etc... is it too harsh a chemical for the trucks metal?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by 54effie
has anyone ever used this acid to remove rust or paint? my 54 has alot of surface rust on frame, suspension, etc... is it too harsh a chemical for the trucks metal?
Vern
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: San Mateo, CA
Almost all the rust treatment products out there use some kind of phosphoric acid based solution. I'm no chemist, but I do know that muriatic acid is actually slightly watered down hydrochloric acid, which is about as strong an acid as you can find. You risk nasty chemical burns working with the stuff and you may end up dissolving more than just the rust. Muriatic will severely etch and discolor stainless steel, for example.
Phosphoric acid based products are much more gentle and combined with some elbow grease, do the job, although you still should wear gloves and glasses. If using muriatic acid was a good solution to cutting down on the elbow grease required to fight rust, I'm pretty sure somebody would be selling a rust remover product based on it.
Just that alone would discourage me from trying it.
ROB
Phosphoric acid based products are much more gentle and combined with some elbow grease, do the job, although you still should wear gloves and glasses. If using muriatic acid was a good solution to cutting down on the elbow grease required to fight rust, I'm pretty sure somebody would be selling a rust remover product based on it.
Just that alone would discourage me from trying it.
ROB
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I have used muratic acid to derust small parts. Nuts, bolts, brackets etc. I keep a 5 gallon pail handy and soak parts in a plastic container inside the 5 gallon pail. Clean the parts as best you can and soak them. The more detailed or delicate the part, the more often you need to check on it. I usually use it full strength, but you can mix it with water. It is very nasty stuff and great care is needed to avoid splashing on your skin or in your eyes, or inhaling the vapors. I do not disagree with others who caution against using it or their reasoning, but I believe it has some good applications. Buy a gallon and experiment with some sacrifical parts and see what you think.
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From: Agua Dulce, So. Calif.
Originally Posted by oldfordtrucker
I have used muratic acid to derust small parts. Nuts, bolts, brackets etc. I keep a 5 gallon pail handy and soak parts in a plastic container inside the 5 gallon pail. Clean the parts as best you can and soak them. The more detailed or delicate the part, the more often you need to check on it. I usually use it full strength, but you can mix it with water. It is very nasty stuff and great care is needed to avoid splashing on your skin or in your eyes, or inhaling the vapors. I do not disagree with others who caution against using it or their reasoning, but I believe it has some good applications. Buy a gallon and experiment with some sacrifical parts and see what you think.
Don't leave it in the garage it will rust everything of metal from the fumes. Ed ke6bnl
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You are correct. After reading your comment about the vapors rusting things, I think I should expand a little on the safey aspects I use,since I posted positive commets on using the stuff. Keep the Muratic acid in a tighly covered plastic container. Store in a secure place preferably outside. When using, consider where the fumes may go and what would happen if the container spilled. Wear eye protection and rubber or plastic gloves. Do not inhale vapors, get it in your eyes or on your skin or clothing. There may be other safety aspects I am not aware of. Regarding actual effectiveness: I have had good results when I submerged the parts and let them soak. I have not had good results when parts are wetted, brushed, or merely coated with the acid.
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