Muratic acid

Does anyone here have experience with using muratic acid? I have a few questions about it.
1. Will muratic acid remove the clear coating on coated aluminum wheels?
2. Would a fresh water rinse with a hose be sufficient to remove the muratic acid from the wheel If I would Strip the wheel with it?

I have these wheels to deal with that have corrosion under the clear over most of the wheel and wanted to strip the clear from them then polish the aluminum up and re clear them and found gallons of muratic acid for $4.95 at a local surplus store. Would a product like Kleen-Strip be a better choice?

I have some ten inch polishing wheels and all the grade of large compound sticks to polish the wheels back up.
 
Tuscarora Dave said:
Does anyone here have experience with using muratic acid? I have a few questions about it.
1. Will muratic acid remove the clear coating on coated aluminum wheels?
2. Would a fresh water rinse with a hose be sufficient to remove the muratic acid from the wheel If I would Strip the wheel with it?

I have these wheels to deal with that have corrosion under the clear over most of the wheel and wanted to strip the clear from them then polish the aluminum up and re clear them and found gallons of muratic acid for $4.95 at a local surplus store. Would a product like Kleen-Strip be a better choice?

I have some ten inch polishing wheels and all the grade of large compound sticks to polish the wheels back up.
Click to expand...

Dave,

This stuff is very dangerous to work with. It is used to etch concrete and i do not think you want to be dealing with it. i can cause serious chemical burns.
 
Tuscarora Dave said:
...Would a product like Kleen-Strip be a better choice?...
Click to expand...

Yes.

I have used aircraft paint stripper on clear coated aluminum parts such as the pickup truck diamond plate protectors that attach to the bed edges.
A lot of them were coated with some sort of clear paint that inevitably oxidized to the point of a milky white consistency.

Didn't damage the aluminum at ALL- all I did was hand polish the aluminum afterwards and they looked as good as new if not better.
If the wheels are powder coated it'll take longer to remove, and perhaps a second or third application.

The acid route? Not good. Not only will it damage the wheel, causing WAY more damage than is already there... I don't know how well it will dissolve the clear coating. If its like most acids... it won't do much. It's packaged in plastic containers for a reason! X_X
 
Tuscarora Dave said:
Does anyone here have experience with using muratic acid? I have a few questions about it.
1. Will muratic acid remove the clear coating on coated aluminum wheels?
2. Would a fresh water rinse with a hose be sufficient to remove the muratic acid from the wheel If I would Strip the wheel with it?

I have these wheels to deal with that have corrosion under the clear over most of the wheel and wanted to strip the clear from them then polish the aluminum up and re clear them and found gallons of muratic acid for $4.95 at a local surplus store. Would a product like Kleen-Strip be a better choice?

I have some ten inch polishing wheels and all the grade of large compound sticks to polish the wheels back up.
Click to expand...

Muratic acid is another name for hydrochloric acid - nasty stuff.

Kleen-Strip is also nasty but not an acid, it has powerful solvents including:
  • Methylene chloride
  • Methanol
  • Toluene
  • Acetone
  • Xylene

You MUST wear chemical resistant gloves - NOT latex gloves (they will be melted over your hands!). High flammability so be careful. Use only in a well ventilated area.

Regards,
GEWB
 
Like stated above, go for air craft stripper. get it at walmart for like $8-$9 and it will NOT harm the aluminum underneath. We have done that here at my dads shop plenty of times


and get the spray can version. it is easier to apply
 
aircraft stripper is also extremely dangerous though. Make sure not to get it on your skin, if you do rinse with soap and water asap. Working in body shops for 8yrs I had to strip lots of parts and even complete cars. I once stripped a coach bus!! Not fun. I cant remember for the life of me what we used in the truck shop to "cut" aluminmum. i want to say we did use acid, actually Im quite sure we did. But those were Semi's and just huge. If your doing just a few wheels, Id stick with the stripper. Just be safe.
 
Dave,

It goes without saying an appropriate for the chemical with new filters, OSHA approved respirator would also be a top priority.

Please take your time, and keep your working area well, well, ventilated, etc..

Dan F
 
We had to etch the floor of the new shop with this before we coated it. Being that it is a 60'x64' building, it wasn't any fun. It can be nasty stuff so be very careful with it.
 
Thanks to all of you for the replies. I think I'll pass on the muriatic acid. Aircraft stripper sounds like a better deal. I worked with straight acetic acid for years so I know what a severe acid burn looks and feels like so I will be extremely causious in whatever I do choose to use. Thanks again.
 
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