Found a substitute for Muriactic acid at my local hardware. The
label says its suitable for pool cleaning, metal cleaning, steel
cleaning, without the same risks as muriactic acid. Acid Magic is
made by Certol International. Is this product suitable as a pickle
for copper, brass and silver? I have been using
Sodium Bisulfate for cleaning (“pickling” ) in a crock pot. What do
you think?
“Acid Magic” is Hcl (Hydrochloric acid or commonly muratic acid) with
some additives. It does take calcium off sinks and stains off
swimming pools. BUT you don’t want it !! Its vapors are bad for you
and especially for steel and even stainless steel tools. It is bad
for silver. You really don’t want it.
Lots of ways to mix a HCl acid bath. Concentrated HCl added to water
(full safety gear), muriatic added to water (gloves and goggles), or
white vinegar and table salt (kitchen hazmat costume
Different concentrations possible from downright evil to a bad salad
dressing. Still all are a HCl mix, not generally used as a pickle for
copper, brass and silver. Sulphuric, sparex, or best yet Ph down work
well.
Sparex was a real messy product leaving an brown oily scummy residue
on everything. I have since switched to PH-down, and am just
delighted. It is clean, more effective than sparex and no oily
residue. It is easily available at most hardware stores, and is very
inexpensive.