Thread: Hydrofluoric Acid

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I didn't think it would be at all possible for the public to get their hands on any HF..

It's certainly no longer available through the channels I used to obtain it from. Originally I got it from carpet steam cleaning suppliers, it works wonders on rust stains. They don't sell it any more. There are ways though... ;-)

Originally Posted by p38arover

I recently bought this stuff. It seems to work well.

WHEELY CLEAN, EASY CLEANING FOR HEAVY BRAKE DUST & GRIME | BOWDEN'S OWN

I didn't know HF was used in cleaning agents. I had better check anything I have.

Thanks Ron, I bought some today. I'll try it tomorrow when everything's cold. I've gone as far as I can, scrubbing and scouring with phos. acid, so if this doesn't work I'll revert to plan A.
If it does work, look out for an unopened bottle Ali Brite HF, in the market section.

Chemtech also makes a product called Mag Shine. It is Oxalic Acid based according to MSDS. Flyer states that it does not contain hydrofluoric acid or sodium biflouride.



I have an almost empty 2.5 litre bottle sitting on the bench in front of me. Have found it to work well - but I have never tried to clean any really dirty or tarnished wheels with it.

So the summary is:

HF acid = seriously scary stuff that can destroy your body and may kill you, but gives clean mags.

Other products = safe to use, gives clean mags.

I know which one I wouldn't use

( - is a picture of you after spilling HF on your skin)

I thought you may be disposing of bodies
This is the stuff they used on the "Breaking Bad" series to take care of unwanted folks.

Not quite correct. Not easy to get anymore but not that hard either, just less places stock and now only usually available from specialist suppliers. Used widely in laboratories (not so much any more, but a lot of labs still have some for certain tasks), widely used by private gold miners and prospectors to dissolve rock and quartz from gold, give the gold a great shine. They don't have specialist response units on standby for this purpose only, but do have trained personnel at the hospitals to deal with an event, same as any other chemical exposure. Generally you will have a medic available, but not always. Depending on volume used you may have a Hazmat Kit or purpose kit available and someone trained in containment and clean up. When used by our lab techs in the past they would have to carry a tube of Calcium Gluconate on them at all times when in use. Not generally used in large quantities. What does irk me is you can buy the stuff without any real reason and no real information on it. IMHO this stuff is so dangerous anyone that buys it should be given a copy of the MSDS, medical treatment should exposure occur, PPE use and have to sign off with it before leaving. Included should be a tube of Calcium Gluconate and express instructions how to use. I generally keep some in the shed for use with any acid exposure. Diphoterine is another good neutralising agent to have on hand for exposures to acid or alkaline products as it neutralises both. Have to carry this when in Caustic areas such as Alcoa or Acid plants.
As said is getting rarer to see, but still see it from time to time in mine site labs, regularly at some car detailers in either pure form or diluted as another cleaner.
Most have now changed to phosphoric acid I think and some Oxalic acid (which IMHO is next to useless).
There are always more labour intensive ways to get the same result, such as steel wool of a fine grade and/or wet and dry sand paper.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

You are correct.

I think it may be the most potentially dangerous substance known to man.

Used in petrochemical plants.

It is considered to be so dangerous there is always a special response unit on standby in the nearest hospital to each of Australia's petrol refineries.

I didn't think it would be at all possible for the public to get their hands on any HF.

After doing safety inductions on this stuff at the local refinery I would warn anyone to stay away from it.

If you need to question it, call the refinery and ask them about safety precautions for handling HF......but be prepared for what might follow.

Look, it is like any other substance, if used correctly with the right precautions is not a big deal. But without precautions and used incorrectly can be a danger. The biggest issue is it being available without ensuring people are aware of the precautions, risks and use.
I hear it all the time from people when at various places we have hydrofluoric, sulphuric, hydrochloric acids, Caustic, Cyanide, Molten metals, hot aluminium or superheated and pressurized acids or Caustic.
All fairly safe if treated with respect.
An aluminium refinery is an experience to walk through. Caustic everywhere, dripping and running on floors. Hose down water contains caustic etc

Originally Posted by carjunkieanon

So the summary is:

HF acid = seriously scary stuff that can destroy your body and may kill you, but gives clean mags.

Other products = safe to use, gives clean mags.

I know which one I wouldn't use

( - is a picture of you after spilling HF on your skin)

Originally Posted by strangy

I thought you may be disposing of bodies
This is the stuff they used on the "Breaking Bad" series to take care of unwanted folks.

You've caught me on the hop, I'm fresh out of bodies for disposal.