"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
chuck h wrote:

Muratic acid (hydrochloric acid) will remove the husks and is commonly
used
for the purpose.
For the DIYer a garden sprayer works well for application; be careful to
adjust for a spray, not a mist which would drift in wind. Using on a
calm
day is simply common sense of course, as is not applying it to your
metal
gear (plastic masking works to prevent that). Wear rubber gloves,
throw-away clothes and definitely goggles since no matter how carefull
you
are there will always be a little bit that gets on you, and as with
anything
accidents can happen. However it's not going to be a major problem if
some
gets on your skin, keep a water hose running to wash it off. This is
not
the same as something like sulphuric acid. Wearing a mask would be a
good
idea, since the fumes are noxious; but I don't and am just carefull to
stay
out of range of any fumes.

Neither "super dangerous" as knee-jerk alarmists would have you believe
nor
an environmental problem in the quantities we're talking about (yes if a
tanker truck spilled, but very limited in scope). Widely used for many
purposes such as etching concrete to prepare for painting or other
surface
treatments, for adjusting ph balance of swimming pool water, etc. It's
the
active ingredient, in dilute form, in many household chemicals for drain
cleaning, lime removal, etc. Sold at the hardware store in gallon jugs.
Cheap. If you dump a gallon on the ground the worst that would happen
is
that it would kill the vegetation in a limited area and raise the ph
value
of the soil a little bit for a short while. Other forms of acid work
better
for adjusting soil ph value longer term and are commonly used to do so.

Chuck H

"Leroytjr3" wrote in message
...
does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove barnacles and husks from
a
fiberglass hull. have already scrapped barnacles but husks remain. any
suggestions on the best way to remove?





While it is a good cleaner, I disagree with your downplaying of the
dangers of muriatic acid. It is the reactive power of the acid that
makes it a useful, if dangerous, tool

Current practice in the masonry trades advises against the casual use of
muriatic acid because of the possibility of damage to the eyes, skin,
and to the masonry itself. That's right...the stuff will eat mortar.

If you do use muriatic acid, do not mix anything else with it. It
sometimes reacts violently to additives.



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Email sent to is never read.


I agree with all your statements Harry. My intent was not to downplay
dangers, but to point out that muratic acid is a common (perhaps most
common) and effective way to remove barnicle husks and is safe when taking
reasonable and relatively simple safety precautions. It's not necessarily
something that "only a professional" can safely do, assuming an intelligent
user.

As Harry points out, never mix chemicals, even household chemicals, unless
you know exactly what is going to happen and that it's safe.

All acids are not equal (as other types of chemicals are not). For example
sulphuric acid (ie: battery acid) and nitric acid are extremely corrosive
and dangerous, severe burns if it gets on your skin, especially in the case
of nitric acid. Don't mess with them except under very controlled
conditions. Muratic (hydrochloric) acid is classified a "strong" acid,
although not as corrosive as those. Be careful.

At the other end of the scale orange juice (citric acid component) vinegar
(acetic acid) or coca-cola (carbonic acid component) could probably be used
to remove barnicle husks give enough time and money :-).

As far as "the stuff will eat mortar" that's exactly the effect you want to
remove barnicle husks.

Chuck H.