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Posted by: orthobiz Jul 27 2008, 06:15 PM

A coworker cleaned the heck out of his wife's Jeep wheels with this stuff. Man, they look sweet!

I did a search here, found Muriatic acid but didn't hear about anybody putting them on wheels. My Fuchs 2.0 alloys have discoloration...brake dust, balancing weight stickers, etc.

Is this the stuff they use to totally ruin/remove the anodization or could it possibly spiff up my wheels?

Paul

Posted by: thomasotten Jul 27 2008, 06:30 PM

I don't know, but EZOFF will remove the anodizing.

Posted by: james2 Jul 27 2008, 06:31 PM

Muriatic Acid dissolves aluminum. slowly, but completely.

Muriatic acid is used to clean aluminum, but it leaves a smooth matte finish. never put it on a polished surface . It will quickly remove any shine and also will instantly remove anodization.

I was using a very weak solution to clean the cooling fins on a head, and a small amount splashed on my mag lite, which is anodized bright blue. The acid left the flash light colorless and with a matte finish where it hit it.

Posted by: james2 Jul 27 2008, 06:32 PM

It will also remove the ceramic coating on headers....bad stuff. keep it away from your car. LOL

Posted by: carr914 Jul 27 2008, 07:17 PM

And keep it away from other cleaners, especially bleach, unless you want mustard gas and want to off yourself

Posted by: SGB Jul 27 2008, 07:23 PM

Except rust. Muratic acid is also "rust converter".

Posted by: orthobiz Jul 27 2008, 07:34 PM

Thanks.
Sounds like I'll stay away!

biz

Posted by: Gint Jul 27 2008, 07:38 PM

I might do exactly the opposite. Tell me more. Where do you get it? Precautions using it? Nitrile gloves? Heavier? Respirator? Dilute it in general or just for some specific uses?

Posted by: KG1500S Jul 27 2008, 07:54 PM

FYI, Muriatic Acid is consumer name for hydrochloric acid (HCl). Echo previous comments about keeping it away from caustic cleaners, as the reaction releases intense heat (which will spit this nasty concoction all over you) and chlorine gas.

Found a random MSDS on google for you.

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/h3883.htm

Good luck!

Posted by: Pat Garvey Jul 27 2008, 08:16 PM

You can get it from comercial chemical companies, but expect to sign your life away. Take it from experience (mine) - stay away from it. Muriatic Acid is a diluted form or Hydrochloric Acid (HCL). Anyone notice the CL in HCL? When it reacts with many items, it releases Chlorine ions - read death, or near so.

I was subjected to Chlorine gas accidentally in the early 70's - in a laboratory environment & by mistake. When your lips & skin under you nailes become blue, you are near death. The chlorine ions block your body from absorbing oxygen, even in dilute forms.

Back in the old days, people used Muriatic acid (dilute HCL) to clean concrete - wonder why none of those old guys are still around!

Stay away from this stuff! It has no useful purpose, except to create chemical reaction in controlled environments. It's very similar to Sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Has a singular purpose outside of commercial uses, and will KILL you at the drop of a hat. Both eat the crap out of aluminum - and I mean EAT, so don't even think about it.

Now, let's say you pay no attention to what I'm saying. Yep, you could use a respirator, gloves (not nitrile). What do you do with the leftovers? Can't put it in the trash, because it will destroy the garbage truck (guess who pays for that?). Can't pour it doen the storm drain, because...the same. They WILL trace it back!.

You COULD dilute it enough (know how to do that) to make it safe to pour down your kitchen sink, but that would take about 40 gallons of water to one gallon of HCL. and there are no promises there.

Look, these compounds are created for chemical reaction in controlled environment. You CAN be killed, or terribly burned by these. Leave these to professionals!

And, if you must use HCL, never, ever add water to the acid! Add the acid (very, very slowly) to water. If it starts bubbling, get the hell out! Open all windows & doors; Stay away for at least 20 minutes.

Jeez guys - don't mess with things you don't appreciate or understand!
Pat

Posted by: Richard Casto Jul 27 2008, 08:58 PM

You can buy Muriatic acid at stored like Lowes/Home Depot. It is sold at these stores for the purpose of cleaning concrete floors.

Acid will brighten up aluminum and magnesium for sure because It is not cleaning it (removing dirt, etc.), but rather eating away the metal under the dirt.

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Jul 28 2008, 08:45 AM

It is also used for changing the PH in swimming pools. Will rust steel pretty fast. My customers use it to de-oxidize the copper cylinders. Anything steel laying around will corrode. They use rubber gloves for protection. No Idea what it would do to Fuch wheels.

Posted by: rhodyguy Jul 28 2008, 08:55 AM

it will "eat" mortar off of masonry. it will "eat" your clothing. it will "eat" your eyes. it will "eat" your skin. the fumes will "eat" the lining of your lungs. prob ruin your wheels. why bother with it?

k

Posted by: r_towle Jul 28 2008, 09:32 AM

proper protection and muriatic acid is safe (outdoors)

Its very fumey...toxic, and is burns your skin...

When doing a pool or patio use tyvex outer suit, hat, rubber gloves (thick ones) and a respirator...

It works wonders, but it hurts.
I am one of those guys that used to clean concrete with it. I never wore any protection...I am still here.

I would never do it like that again...

Rich

Posted by: carr914 Jul 28 2008, 09:51 AM

If you go into a Mom & Pop hardware or Paint store and see rusted paint can tops, it's because they have Muriactic Acid nearby. The fumes escape, react with the humidity in the air, settle on the can-tops, reaction starts, same result as a Hell-Hole with a battery over it.

T.C.

Posted by: SLITS Jul 28 2008, 10:25 AM

As I remember, concentrated HCl is about 36 Baume. Muratic is <5% solution of HCl.

For purposes of brightening aluminum, phosphoric acid is used. Much less reactive than HCl or H2SO4. Commercially available from an HVAC Wholesaler as "Ice Machine Cleaner".

Aluminum brightners used to clean A/C condenser coils was phosphoric with a hydroflouric acid kicker.

Coke, Pepsi, etc all contain phosphoric acid. Try pouring one on your wheels ... very slow reacting.

Easy Off is NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) ..... it will eat aluminum rapidly in it's concentrated form .... Also used to dissolve bodies (Lye).

Grease and oils will not be affected by acids ... it takes hydroxides to affect them.

Posted by: zymurgist Jul 28 2008, 11:54 AM

That's what I love about this place... I find useful information here every day.

Posted by: Cevan Jul 28 2008, 01:56 PM

I used it as one of the steps in refurbishing my gastank. I used the system from Eastwood. I used heavy rubber gloves, a fullface shield, and did it outdoors. No problems. Just don't be stupid.

Posted by: Smitty911 Jul 28 2008, 02:03 PM

If it was only that easy, How do you not be stupid?

I'd find a different solution (no pun intended).

Smitty

Posted by: balljoint Jul 29 2008, 06:29 AM

Phosphoric acid is also commercially available in Coca Cola. Ever sit a corroded old penny in a glass of Coke? It will be bright and new in a few hours. Coke is relatively cheap and might be worth experimenting with. You just need a big rubber tub and a few big bottles of the stuff...and maybe some rum to make the time pass.

Posted by: Cevan Jul 29 2008, 07:05 AM

Ahhh, don't let it make contact with your skin and use it in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Gee, it's really not that difficult.

Posted by: Smitty911 Jul 29 2008, 09:37 AM

Heck man I knew that one. Seems that all the stupid people I've ever met always stayed that way, the worst is this guy I keep seeing in the mirror. LOL

Smitty

Posted by: zymurgist Jul 29 2008, 09:49 AM

Off topic, but wort (unfermented beer) is acidic too. I have a 50 foot coil of copper tubing that I use for chilling the wort after the boil. I put it in the boil for 5 minutes to sanitize it... the acid and the heat always leave me with a nice shiny coil of copper when it comes out of the brew kettle.