Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site hplabsb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!hplabsb!bl
From: bl@hplabsb.UUCP (Bruce T. Lowerre)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Gas Tank Corrosion
Message-ID: <3330@hplabsb.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 8-Mar-86 00:18:47 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsb.3330
Posted: Sat Mar  8 00:18:47 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Mar-86 09:17:13 EST
References: <1684@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> <82800012@convex> <567@hoptoad.uucp>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 30

> In article <82800012@convex> wilson@convex.UUCP writes:
> >I would get some Muriatic acid (HCl) from a swimming pool supply house
> >and give the (inside only, hopefully) tank a rinse with that.  
> 
> HCl is Hydrochloric acid.  I don't know whether he really wants
> Muriatic Acid -- (I don't even know what it *is* -- and my
> Rubber Bible didn't move with me -- curses, another thing to
> replace!!)  but if you go to the drug store and ask for HCl you
> will get a solution about as strong as vinegar.  Ot at least
> that is what you got when I still played with chemistry sets.
> 
> I have no idea what HCl (or muriatic acid, for that matter :-) )
> will do to your gas tank.  
> 
> Laura
> 
> ps -- there is alway the chance that Muriatic acid is another name for
> HCl that I am unaware of.  Remember how much I know about Muriatic Acid.
> If so -- yet another reason I hate chemical nomenclature!!!
> 
> -- 
> Laura Creighton		

Muriatic acid is a common name for HCl (hydorchloric acid), usually industrial
strength and not very pure.  I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR ANY FERROUS METALS!
If you have corrosion in a metal tank, I would recommend something more benign
like phosphoric acid (i.e., Naval Jelly).  This will eat the oxide without
eating the metal.  The bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an excellet
neutralizer of acids.  The use of Na(CO3)2, sodium bicarbonate, is much safer
than HaOH (sodium hydroxide, also called drain cleaner) or ammonia.