Phosphoric acid
08-16-10, 12:06 PM
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Phosphoric acid
Has anyone used it? I've used it in the past for converting rusty BARE steel to a black paintable surface and it works fine but, I've never used it on a painted rusty surface (frame w/ a few rusty nicks). Thoughts?
08-16-10, 12:24 PM
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Its the active ingredient in naval jelly. But I prefer oxalic acid.
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08-16-10, 12:44 PM
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08-16-10, 01:16 PM
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I purchase a 7oz tub of "wood bleach" from Ace Hardware whenever the need arises and mix it in a 35 gallon tub, but I think that generally yields a stronger solution than necessary. You can find better deals online if you are buying larger amounts. Search the forums and you will find detailed threads about oxalic acid, many with before and after pictures.
-Brian
-Brian
08-16-10, 02:49 PM
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Any reason not to use it on a painted surface? I have 3 liters (approx) of the stuff and I'm feeling cheap....
08-16-10, 04:13 PM
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Since I buy the pure chemical, brand is meaningless. I buy in five pound lots from Van ****s. The five pounds cost me about what I was paying for 12 ounces from Sherwin Williams.
By the way, I currently have an oxalic acid bath going at my Waynesville, NC house. If you are close by, you are welcome to bring some stuff by and treating it. Nothing cheaper than free.
Last edited by wrk101; 08-16-10 at 04:24 PM.
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08-16-10, 04:55 PM
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Phosphoric acid is "Naval Jelly". It's marketed to be a rust remover. Not a rust converter IIRC.
And you should always wear gloves handling this stuff. It can be absorbed through the skin and attack bone.
I've used rust converters, ie Permatex, POR; they act as a primer and can be sanded and painted over. It won't adhere to a painted surface.
And you should always wear gloves handling this stuff. It can be absorbed through the skin and attack bone.
I've used rust converters, ie Permatex, POR; they act as a primer and can be sanded and painted over. It won't adhere to a painted surface.
12-06-21, 06:22 PM
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- Is it safe to clean chromed surfaces with phosphoric acid ? my thought was that it would serve as a lubricant while cleaning the chrome with steel wool or aluminium and in the same time penetrate the cracks in the plating and remove rust and create a protective layer. But i don't know if it reacts with the plating (once i bathed some campy hub axles in phosphoric acid and it removed a thin black coating)
- Is it safe (and enough) to pour some phosphoric acid inside the tubes to clean and protect them from rust ?
- should i paint some bare steel with it even if it's not rusty ?
12-06-21, 08:52 PM
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In case you care to preserve what’s already there, acids like ‘metal ready’ from por-15 will almost certainly etch into your existing paint.
12-06-21, 09:03 PM
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- Is it safe to clean chromed surfaces with phosphoric acid ? my thought was that it would serve as a lubricant while cleaning the chrome with steel wool or aluminium and in the same time penetrate the cracks in the plating and remove rust and create a protective layer. But i don't know if it reacts with the plating (once i bathed some campy hub axles in phosphoric acid and it removed a thin black coating)
- Is it safe (and enough) to pour some phosphoric acid inside the tubes to clean and protect them from rust ?
- should i paint some bare steel with it even if it's not rusty ?
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12-06-21, 10:17 PM
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Thanks panzerwagon and Mad Honk for your recommendations, i've checked both of them and i understand por-15 contains phosphoric acid in some form whereas quick glow fills the cracks with lanolin to prevent further rust formation.
As i'm unable to buy these products in the country i live in, i have to deal with what i can find in local supply stores, and one of these products is phosphoric acid
As i'm unable to buy these products in the country i live in, i have to deal with what i can find in local supply stores, and one of these products is phosphoric acid
12-06-21, 11:06 PM
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Literally Actually Answering The Asked Questions Everyday
- Is it safe to clean chromed surfaces with phosphoric acid ? my thought was that it would serve as a lubricant while cleaning the chrome with steel wool or aluminium and in the same time penetrate the cracks in the plating and remove rust and create a protective layer. But i don't know if it reacts with the plating (once i bathed some campy hub axles in phosphoric acid and it removed a thin black coating)
- Is it safe (and enough) to pour some phosphoric acid inside the tubes to clean and protect them from rust ?
- should i paint some bare steel with it even if it's not rusty ?
2. Yes, I have personally done this, and it "works' to an extent. However, do not allow Phosphoric Acid to dry on a painted surface Because it will stain the paint permanently. And do not rinse out the tubes or you will remove the protective phosphate oxidation. Best kluge is to apply oil on top of "dried phosphoric acid". That can be "enough."
3. You can "paint some bare steel with (phosphoric acid) even if it's not rusty" but that is only a rough approximation of a "proper" Pickling or Parker or Bonderizing operation. (The sites to which I've linked are not exhaustive, but only a starting point and somewhat accessible to the non-chemist. Google and Science are your friends.)
Good luck.
12-07-21, 12:35 AM
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Last edited by gaucho777; 12-07-21 at 12:39 AM.
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12-07-21, 04:23 PM
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1. No, it is not safe (for the chrome) to use phosphoric acid on chromed steel surfaces. You can watch the chrome bubble away. Try it on a small piece, say a chromed steel cable guide and you will see what I have seen. If you apply it as your "thought" suggests and neutralize it, you've removed any "protection" you may have hoped to achieve. If you don't neutralize it, your chrome is compromised. So, No, think again.
2. Yes, I have personally done this, and it "works' to an extent. However, do not allow Phosphoric Acid to dry on a painted surface Because it will stain the paint permanently. And do not rinse out the tubes or you will remove the protective phosphate oxidation. Best kluge is to apply oil on top of "dried phosphoric acid". That can be "enough."
3. You can "paint some bare steel with (phosphoric acid) even if it's not rusty" but that is only a rough approximation of a "proper" Pickling or Parker or Bonderizing operation. (The sites to which I've linked are not exhaustive, but only a starting point and somewhat accessible to the non-chemist. Google and Science are your friends.)
Good luck.
2. Yes, I have personally done this, and it "works' to an extent. However, do not allow Phosphoric Acid to dry on a painted surface Because it will stain the paint permanently. And do not rinse out the tubes or you will remove the protective phosphate oxidation. Best kluge is to apply oil on top of "dried phosphoric acid". That can be "enough."
3. You can "paint some bare steel with (phosphoric acid) even if it's not rusty" but that is only a rough approximation of a "proper" Pickling or Parker or Bonderizing operation. (The sites to which I've linked are not exhaustive, but only a starting point and somewhat accessible to the non-chemist. Google and Science are your friends.)
Good luck.
