Forum Discussion
super_camper
Aug 24, 2014Explorer
ron.dittmer wrote:Muriatic acid is not safe to drain with running water!!! Please do not do this!!!super_camper wrote:Good Point.ron.dittmer wrote:Just be sure to dispose of it properly, large quantities can take some effort to neutralize.
First I want to say "Thanks" for all the replies. You have provided me some options of which I will Google-research.
I have used naval jelly 35 years ago on a car as a rust conversion, and in more recent years I have used CLR, Lime Away, ZEP, and muriatic acid for actual rust removal. It is best to knock off all loose rust beforehand for best results. Muriatic acid is most aggressive, quite the miracle product in removing rust fast and completely, but extreme caution is required in handling and ventilation. This product dissolves concrete. It disoloves bad rust in an hour or two. Some wire brushing might be needed along the way pending. I bought a huge light weight plastic pan for mixing concrete as a means to submerge large metal parts in muriatic acid. The beauty of muriatic acid is that you can dilute the acid with water to get gallons of effective solution. The acid is very cheap per gallon as well. When done, simply rinse with cold water and dry for perfect stripped-down metal, ready for priming. But in this case of mine today, I am limited to brush-on given I am working on the vehicle from below.
Muriatic acid is sold in hardware and home improvement stores. It must be used outdoors. Not even in an open garage unless you have a huge fan blowing in fresh air.
Thanks Again!
I believe it is safe enough to put down a drain with plenty of running water, but given we live with a septic tank and an active sewage treatment system at home (called a Multi-flo), I just spill it on the lawn and spray it down with water afterward. It doesn't take that much extra water to neutralize it in the lawn. Just basically wash it into the soil. Time with exposure to air neutralizes it too. As powerful as it is, it sure seems to be environmentally friendly. It seems to be a very strong version of the kitchen product called CLR.
You can neutralize it with sodium bicarbonate but the best way to dispose of it is to drop it off at a licensed facility that can deal with it properly.
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