PARTS ETCHING WITH ACID-

[nitrofarm]

Anyone ever "Acid Etch" parts instead of sandblasting & then painting? I have access to hydrochloric acid concentrate. I've seen it done with muratic acid.And it looks amazing, the parts are shiny black and wont corrode anymore. Its good for small brackets and misc parts. Just wondering if anyone out there is a chemist that knows what I'm talking about.The nice thing about it is it saves a lot of time on parts that you dont need have paint on them.

[zoom zoom]

Hey isn't that what Heisenburg used in breaking bad?

[Pu241]

Hydrochloric acid and muratic acid are the same thing.

The link shows preping for etching, to remove material, to produce a pattern in the metal.
BUt could still be useful.

http://www.wikihow.com/Acid-Etch-Steel

Haven't ever seen these acids used to produce a surface resistant to further oxidation or passivate the surface.
But, have seen it used to clean the surface to prep it for the application of a series of pimer and paint or even glass.

[Pu241]

Hey isn't that what Heisenburg used in breaking bad?

This is a base chemical, it is used in a large number chemical synthesis from drugs to paint.

[bravekozak]

The goal is to remove the minimum possible. I believe that dry ice blasting is the best.

[jjk1224]

PARTS ETCHING WITH ACID-

When I worked in a shop we wiped a thin layer of acid on our aluminum panels and frames before we sprayed them with enamel. We used a 25:75 dilution of acid to water and if you left the stuff sit for too long it would literally eat the metal away. It worked very well though and made a great surface for the paint to cure on.

[jawbraeka]

What about simple Soda-blasting?

It not only does what you want to do as your describing, it's actually a lot safer than chemicals, and as an added bonus, leaves a rustproof coating that lasts upto 6 weeks.. according to some sourcces, it has many applications, such as cleaning engine parts as well and isn't as abbrasive as acids.

[nitrofarm]

Hey guys I also found this forum sounds like what I've always heard "Body Men" call "Rust Cure" is actually just a form of acid. As far as "Dry Ice" & "Soda Blasting" is concerened I'm just trying to keep it simple. A perfect example of what I want to do is brake parts for the our rear drums. You know, like the pieces for the "Self Adjuster" & "Parking Brake assembly". And PU241 is correct the part will still need to be painted.But now all the rust is neutralized and you can paint directly over the etching. At least thats how it sounds. I could have swore that my friend wasnt even painting his etched parts. But I guess I'm wrong-anywho here is the link I found

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147468

[Larry Hampton]

A buddy owns a chassis shop. He used a Muratic Acid dilution to mop the floors in his shop. Accidently left it in the mop bucket overnight. Every piece of bare steel in his shop had surface rust on it. Probably a 50x100 building.