Phosphoric acid again

[Jeffrey S.]

Hello all! Last week I asked for help in finding phosphoric acid and got several very helpful suggestions. Most said auto paint suppliers would have it. Well, I called every auto paint supplier in the Detroit area and not only did they not carry it, many didn't know what it was. So I'm asking for any other help I could get (especially from Michigan Chapter members?). I really appreciate the help I have gotten from you all. Thanks.
Jeff

[Dick W.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

What you need to ask for is a metal etching wash. Metal Prep is one brand name (DuPont? PPG?) that I have used. Explain that you need to wash bare metal prior to priming. Hope this works

[Dick W.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Hit the send button too quick. PPG # DX520

[steve wallach]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

What about Home Depot?

I get pool acid there, it works great, just don't spill it on anything.

Steve

[Jerry J.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Jeff; Approx. where are you. ?? I use "Dupont Metal Conditioner # 5717S".
it's a concentrate mixed one part 5717S to two parts water. After diluting I use a spray bottle to apply.. Use rubber gloves and a -GOOD- mask..

I get mine from Fergans auto parts on 9 mile in Eastpointe....

[Chuck S.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Jeff, I got a gallon at a local business that specialized in industrial chemicals and commercial janitorial cleaning supplies. It was straight concentrated phosphoric acid, and labeled as such...no rinses, no conditioning agents...they expected you to know how to use it. If you are live in urban Michigan, you should have no trouble finding such a business. Let your fingers do the walking...look under "C" for "Chemicals" or "Cleaning supplies".

[Werner R.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

anypalce that sells farm suppplies caries this as a material used to rinse milk tanks. in wisconsin i get all i want at "farm and fleet" for a few bucks per gallon. i use it to clean rusty bolts etc and it seems to work great. i store it in a small plastic sherbet container and just drop the parts in. they can be rinsed in a bicarbonate solution or just tap water, easily.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Jeff,

Check out Jasco Metal Etch at your local hardware store. I'm not sure it is phosphoric acid, but it is used for etching and minor rust removal on small parts. I've used it from a spray bottle in combination with naval jelly.

Also, muriatic acid cut 2 or 3 to 1 works pretty good as a pickling solution prior to replating. Don't leave the part in too long.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Joe L.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Jeff and Jerry-----

Jasco Metal Etch is mostly phosphoric acid. It's easy to obtain and works very well. I've used it for years.

[Gerard F.]

Jasco Metal Etch

Jeff,

I looked it up; Jasco Metal Etch is a 40% solution of 75% Orthophosphoric acid plus some other nasty ingredients. You cut it 2 to 1 for heavy rust removal.

If you spray it, don't breathe the vapor, and keep it out of your eyes. You might want to have a bucket of baking soda solution available just in case.

I'm sure that this stuff is not the industrial strength stuff and it's fairly expensive. I paid $5.50 for a quart but they say it comes in gallon jugs.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Phosphoric acid again

Dick, Steve, Jerry, Chuck, Werner, Joe, Jerry, et al:
Thanks again for your help! I did get a recommendation for PPG Metal Prep from 1 paint supplier that I have trusted and have dealt with for years. The price for a gallon was $28 which, after reading your responses, seemed quite high. I also found a product called "Alumin-nu" which is for cleaning aluminum siding. Its main active ingredient is phosphoric acid and when I called the manufacturer I was told that it is excellent for removing rust from steel as well and is used industrially for cleaning steel siding. It was $14 a gallon at the hardware store which is reasonable. I will still follow up on all of your suggestions because I do still want pure phosphoric acid that I can dilute to my needs. Thanks again.
Jeff