Muriatic acid? HELP!

T.Saslow

T.Saslow

Periodic Thinker
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
479
This weekend, My father and i have been demolishing the better part of our shed because it was riddled with rotten 2x4's, water damage, and really-it hasn't had a door for 4 years....
Getting to the point, when i tore back a sheet of OSB, i was being stared in the fact by about 3/4 gallons of Muriatic Acid. Now, i have seen the Grimsmo Brothers use it for etching Damascus blades but i didn't know if it was okay for doing the acid washes on some of my blades? Ita pears to be about 20 years old or so so i didn't know if it would be as acidic as when it was purchased. Please let me know what you use Muriatic acid for and if age has any affect on its acidity.

Here are some pictures just for fun ;)





 
Don't know about the age, but I use muriatic acid to etch stainless damascus.
 
Okay, i don't think i'll be using stainless Damascus. any time soon as it is so expensive but i suppose it wouldn't hurt to run some experiments....
 
I couldn't tell you, It would be interesting to see results and information though. :thumbup:
 
I'm thinking about doing it. If I get around to it, I'll post some pictures and details about what I find out!
 
Muriatic is Hydrochloric acid used for etching concrete and also altering ph of swimming pool water. You can pour a few drops on concrete or any limestone and if it fizzes its still active. Usually it turns yellow with age and after it becomes neutralized. No fizz=no good. Its cheap and easy to get at any pool supply store.
 
When handling HCl do it outside !! Inside it will rust everything made of steel ! For safety a neutralizing solution of baking soda should be nearby.
 
Thank you all for the help. I tried it outside on a piece of 1080 carbon steel. The acid WAS yellow and it took a long time to etch (make it relatively dark).
 
Great information.
I tried to use muriatic last summer. The bottle was newly bought but it didn't work very fast. And that stuff was yellow too like straight from a horse.
Will try again and now know to look for the color of the liquid.
Thanks guys.
 
It may still be usable if its yellow depending on what your doing with it. You have to test it to know. Ive just notices after use and with age it turns yellow and becomes less effective. Anything "carbonate" (antacid tablet), chalk, will fizz when in contact with it. Dont throw it in the bottle though or violent reaction could occur. Always pour the acid on the carbonate. Same as adding water. Never add water to concentrated acid. Always add acid to water.
Jens:eek: What are you doing out of the Khukri subforum? Im telling Aunti Y;)
 
ndoghouse said:
It may still be usable if its yellow depending on what your doing with it. You have to test it to know. Ive just notices after use and with age it turns yellow and becomes less effective. Anything "carbonate" (antacid tablet), chalk, will fizz when in contact with it. Dont throw it in the bottle though or violent reaction could occur. Always pour the acid on the carbonate. Same as adding water. Never add water to concentrated acid. Always add acid to water.
Jens:eek: What are you doing out of the Khukri subforum? Im telling Aunti Y;)
Click to expand...

Auntie will forgive me. She is nice
And after all there is a little Kukri in every knife.
:cool:
 
Ooooh, that sounds interesting :) i wonder how much trouble i can get into......
Haha! just kidding but seriously, i'm gonna have to try adding chalk to it and seeing what happens...
 
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