Thread: Hydrofluoric Acid

Nasty, nasty stuff.
Burns the skin, decays the bones.

Look up a MSDS for 'stainless steel picking gel' and you'll get the full run down of what PPE you NEED to wear.

General rule of thumb is acid + active metal = metal salt + hydrogen

Nasty stuff.
I'd be using thick chemical gloves over the surgical ones.

Ian, use Phosphoric acid.

i wouldnt be using it on mags

Not sure if it is the same stuff...but it sounds like it...that our man on the washbay of our truck company used on the alloy wheels on our B-Doubles etc, when the wheels were stained and dark, which no normal steam cleaning would remove....he would spray the acid on and they would come up like new....but it had to be steam cleaned off immediately after being applied. He always wore industrial rubber gloves etc, so yeah, like the others have said, be careful!

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Sounds like pretty horrific stuff if you make skin contact or inhale the vapours but, what does it do to mag wheels?

Is it likely to compromise their integrity? - No.
Will it streak on the wheel if allowed to run? - Yes if it runs to where you don't want it.
If suitable, what is the best way to apply? - Don't.
Seriously Don't.

If I use it I intend to wear two pairs of surgical gloves, glasses, long sleeves and pants. - Try Chemsuit with B.A.

Answers at the end of your questions.

I thought you couldn't buy it anymore, it used to be in some buffing pastes but became blacklisted. I've heard rumors that if you got it on any skin, it goes straight to your bones and travels along them killing the bone tissue. Amputation at the earliest stage may even be too late, seriously nasty even if those rumors are half true
As with lots of things that work first time, they're either for other classified reason or cause cancer/pulmonary odeama.

Hydrofluoric acid can lead to reduced bone density amongst other nasty issues through skin contact. Lots of PPE if you insist on using it.

I have checked the MSDS for the specific product. I may be reading it wrong, but it seems to contradict itself.

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Sensitization of
Product None of the components of this product is considered to be a skin or respiratory sensitiser.
Teratogenicity None of the components of this product is considered to be a teratogen.
Reproductive
Toxicity None of the components of this product is considered to be toxic to the unborn foetus.
Mutagenicity None of the components of this product is considered to be a mutagen.
Carcinogenicity None of the components of this product is considered to be a carcinogen.
Chronic Effects Chronic exposure to excessive quantities of gaseous hydrogen fluoride results in nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea or constipation. Fluorosis and other chronic effects may result from significant acute exposures. Systemic fluoride poisoning can cause hypocalcaemia, which may lead to cardiac arrythmias and death.
Inhalation Spray mists are corrosive to the nose and respiratory tract.
Ingestion Corrosive to the mouth and digestive tract. May cause severe internal damage.
Skin Corrosive to skin tissue and may cause severe chemical burns which are extremely painful. Injuries caused by contact with this product may not become apparent for several hours.
Eye Corrosive and may cause severe and permanent damage to the eyes.

The blue and red appear at odds.

http://www.septone.com.au/msds/ATA1.htm

I would like to know what the outcome of using it on my motorbike wheels is going to be. The product is specifically for stainless steel and aluminium but the blurb states any cleanable surface. I have seen aluminium cleaners state that the product is NOT suitable for mag wheels.
I am assuming that my wheels are a magnesium and aluminium alloy. Does sulfuric or hydrofluoric acid react with corrode magnesium?