Muiratic acid and cleaning

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I'm thinking about buying some of this stuff to clean my welding table off where I work. The alternative is a giant *** grinder with a 7 inch wheel. It takes forever and it does a worse job than it does good.  My question is, to make my surface more true and clean, would the acid work and if so how long do I have to let it set?
Reply:Use it only outdoors and don't breathe any fumes or let them drift onto anything.  It will hurt you and rust the crap out of anything it encounters.  You can use it to remove mill scale but follow up with a rinse containing baking soda or washing soda to neutralize the acid."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Whatever you do add acid to water. nEVER add water to full strength acids.Keep away from any bleach.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:No chemical process can replace grinding.Compare a depilatory to shaving.Same basic idea, but very different results.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumUse it only outdoors and don't breathe any fumes or let them drift onto anything.  It will hurt you and rust the crap out of anything it encounters.  You can use it to remove mill scale but follow up with a rinse containing baking soda or washing soda to neutralize the acid.
Reply:Muriatic acid won't really do anything to millscale. You need nitric ("pickling") acid for that, which is really nasty stuff.And as mentioned... the fumes rise up, condense, and rain down; they will etch and rust anything metal they land on including your tools.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Alright thanks for the info. Maybe I can con the bossman into getting a 7 inch flapdisc if they make them instead.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverMuriatic acid won't really do anything to millscale. You need nitric ("pickling") acid for that, which is really nasty.