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muriatic acid bath!
#1668707
09/07/14 11:15 PM
09/07/14 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
Adam71Charger
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
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After watching Breaking Bad I got an idea. For years I've been cleaning parts like control arms, frames, brackets etc etc with brake cleaner and lacquer thinner, then using a wire brush and wire wheel on an angle grinder to get the remaining rust off. Today, I experimented and put a couple gallons of muriatic acid (from local hardware store) in a plastic 55 gallon drum. I pulled the control arms off my girlfriends nova earlier, and they were caked in grime, oil, dirt and rust. I put them in the drum. They started sizzlin. The fumes were intense so I got a respirator. After 10 minutes, I pulled them out and they were bare bright metal were they had been dipped. Im going to get more and completely submerse them. I cant believe how great it worked.
Is this common knowledge? Does anyone else do this or a similar technique? I had never heard of doing this before. I know that you can get your car acid dipped, but I didnt know there was similar chemical available for over the counter purchase.
It's saved me a lot of time cleaning and grinding.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: Adam71Charger]
#1668708
09/07/14 11:22 PM
09/07/14 11:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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A bit of advice, do not put a nut and bolt threaded together in the bath and let it sit over night. You will have no threads left, BTDT. Happened to a set of shock plates I had.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: burdar]
#1668711
09/08/14 12:25 AM
09/08/14 12:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Don't buy the stronger 31.45% solution of Muratic Acid (31.45% Hydrochloric Acid) and mess with it straight. I just went through that ordeal.  It's nasty and chokes you out just pouring it out of the bottle. Get the 15% "low odor" stuff. It does flash rust uber fast. I dunked it in straight water immediately and directly to neutralize it. While gagging from momentarily opening and closing the ice chest with 3 gallons of 30% Muratic Acid. After dunking it while still wet I sprayed rust Justice Brother Chain Lube oil (thicker consistency with rust preventative). Kept spraying it to displace the water. Day later I rubbed off the excess oil. The manifold on top I just brushed on straight 30% muratic acid with a steel brush and washed with water. IMHO, I have seen NOS manifolds look like both of them. One on top if the packing oil has evaporated/worn off of it. BTW these were very nice So Cal manifolds that were recently on a car. No pitting to start with. The heat riser weight was not submerged in the solution as it was just above the Muriatic Acid level.
Last edited by autoxcuda; 09/08/14 12:47 AM.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: cudaman1969]
#1668713
09/08/14 01:00 AM
09/08/14 01:00 AM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
Adam71Charger
OP
pro stock
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
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Quote:
I just put my e-body frame rail in my bath, i make forms to fit, been doing this for many years. I mix one gallon acid with 4 gal. vinegar and 4 gal. water. Cheaper this way but takes a little longer. Make sure you use a neutralizer to keep fron rusting back fast.
Do you mean your bathroom Bath-tub?
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: Adam71Charger]
#1668714
09/08/14 01:06 AM
09/08/14 01:06 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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Vinegar is acetic acid, I don't think it'll neutralize muriatic. Baking soda will.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: Adam71Charger]
#1668717
09/08/14 10:22 AM
09/08/14 10:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Say no to acid, there are better ways but takes more costly equipment but is more environmentally friendly to do it.imo. Acid makes it too hard to refinish before rust reappears and can harm some parts if not all of them, your forced to rinse with water and hope you get it all neutralized and your trying to get rust off in some cases and your using water to get rust off during the rinse?? Not for me... 
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: Commando1]
#1668720
09/08/14 11:50 AM
09/08/14 11:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
the real issue is, how do you get rid of the stuff when you are done?
What came from the Earth, returns to the Earth... 
We used to get some kind of acid in a 55 gallon drum and soak aluminum bbq grill half's in them to restore the grill. It was a freaken mess and we spent some big bucks to get rid of the half full drum of acid and slug when we gave up on the acid.
A steam pressure washer is the best tool for restorations of anything. The most environmentally friendly, safest solution for the operator and the part.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: Commando1]
#1668721
09/08/14 12:01 PM
09/08/14 12:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
the real issue is, how do you get rid of the stuff when you are done?
What came from the Earth, returns to the Earth...
Acid does not come from the earth, it is a chemical and man made, unlike petroleum is what your thinking.
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Re: muriatic acid bath!
[Re: ahy]
#1668726
09/08/14 01:15 PM
09/08/14 01:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
Adam71Charger
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,521
Tacoma, Washington USA
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Quote:
One thing to watch out for (in addition to safety!) is "hydrogen embitttlement". The acid leaves hydrogen in the metal which reduces strength, especially with repeated cyclic loading. Baking the part afterwards can get the hydrogen out... which is what a good plating house will do.
Slower methods like de-greaser, pressure wash, wire wheel do not introduce hydrogen. Hot tank is good for suspension parts also. Hot tank followed by abrasive blast is really nice.
Good point.. I will bake the parts too
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