Sulphuric Acid for anodising

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

HCl is easy to get as brick cleaner round here, but I can't see H2SO4 listed at Halfords. No luck with local motro factors so far

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

**LINK**

[Brian Baker 2Participant @brianbaker2]

Most likely source is a small independent battery maker, who may be persuaded to sell you some.

They use it at 24% concentration I think.

regards

Brian

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Neil,

I bought a couple of bottles a while back from a motor cycle factor I think it was these people. None of the high street motor factors would sell me it which I found rather odd considering I could buy online and have it delivered!

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

One Shot Drain Cleaner is 91% Sulphuric Acid. I got mine from B&Q, but I've seen it under various trade names in various plumbing type emporia.

When I wanted some battery acid to top up a damaged car battery, it was unobtainium. Even from my local agricultural garage/tyre/battery place don't keep it. The young chap made me feel like "Grandad trying to buy a gramophone needle for his smartphone" – apparently there isn't much call for loose battery acid these days.

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 13/06/2016 12:59:31:

One Shot Drain Cleaner is 91% Sulphuric Acid. I got mine from B&Q, but I've seen it under various trade names in various plumbing type emporia.

I saw it yesterday in Wilko in Warrington.

Mike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

EEk! I hope I can do better than £47 for 2.5 litres,!

The bike people say "Please Note:- The maximum amount of acid we are able to supply per person is 2 Litres. We are unable to process any orders for battery acid unless accompanied by a Battery. "

Looks like drain cleaner will do – I thought they all used caustic soda.

Thanks,

Neil

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Blackgates list it (callers only). Reeves used to sell it to callers, don't know if they still do so – I've still got my winchester bought 30 years ago. I investigated this recently with some trepidation and a lot of ppe but it was fine and I have newly invigorated pickle bucket ready for some boiler making. As usual, ebay is your friend for hard to get chemicals e.g. **LINK**

HTH,

Rod

[RichardNParticipant @richardn]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 13/06/2016 13:27:29:

EEk! I hope I can do better than £47 for 2.5 litres,!

The bike people say "Please Note:- The maximum amount of acid we are able to supply per person is 2 Litres. We are unable to process any orders for battery acid unless accompanied by a Battery. "

Looks like drain cleaner will do – I thought they all used caustic soda.

Thanks,

Neil

I tried to buy H2SO4 a few years ago for anodising parts- found a local supplier to me (Poole, Dorset) but they needed to check my unloading facilities were up to scratch… turns out they sold almost anything you could dream of in the way of nasty chemicals by the cubic metre… I suspected SWMBO would have feelings about that delivery on the doorstep…

If you find a good supply let us know how you get on and I'll restart my anodising plans!

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I would have thought that any specialist car/truck/motorcycle battery supplier would be able to come up with the goods.

Many batteries are supplied dry and filled before they sell you one.

[VicParticipant @vic]

One shot drain cleaner is handy stuff to have around but is it just sulphuric acid because it has a slight purple hue to it?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Vic on 13/06/2016 13:44:19:

One shot drain cleaner is handy stuff to have around but is it just sulphuric acid because it has a slight purple hue to it?

I'm pretty sure it's not just Sulphuric Acid and water – that purple colour isn't normal! I doubt One Shot would be suitable for any purpose needing uncontaminated acid. The Safety Data Sheet doesn't identify anything other than Sulphuric Acid but that doesn't mean it's pure.

We shouldn't expect too much, it's for unblocking drains.

Cheers,

Dave

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 13/06/2016 13:27:29:

EEk! I hope I can do better than £47 for 2.5 litres,!

…

Thanks,

Neil

Good link from KWIL if you need the real thing. I notice it's a lot cheaper to buy it in bulk – 25 litres is only £70. You could keep it in the bath – what could possibly go wrong?

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Probably dissolve the outlet!

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

I have had to buy new car batteries in the past. Have drained acid for copper pickling (stored in demi-john with label) and lead terminals recovered for melting down for weights. Thats my idea of recycling!
I try to ensure that all containers of mystery liquids are labelled so if/when I peg it, others will know what they are dealing with – safety.

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

"One shot drain cleaner is handy stuff to have around but is it just sulphuric acid because it has a slight purple hue to it?"

I presume it's just a simple colouring to show it's not drinkable, much like the colour they put in methylated spirit. I don't imagine it would interfere with the action of the acid.

George

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Is it actually for anodising? If so then it needs to be uncontaminated!

APC Pure and Atom Scientific deliver it (same company, different prices).

It's reccomended you use distilled water, but depending on your area tap water may be ok.

Ratio is generally 160-200 mol for anodising  

 

Edited By Chris Denton on 13/06/2016 15:53:06

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by DMB on 13/06/2016 15:08:09:
I have had to buy new car batteries in the past. Have drained acid for copper pickling (stored in demi-john with label) and lead terminals recovered for melting down for weights. Thats my idea of recycling!
I try to ensure that all containers of mystery liquids are labelled so if/when I peg it, others will know what they are dealing with – safety.

That's the most useful advice so far

Purple drain cleaner might not be a good idea – it might turn my anodising the wrong colour! OK for pickle though.

Found some at a specialist factors, but they only hold one bottle at a time so they say let them know before coming over, £9.99 a litre inc. vat

Neil

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

If you happen to be in B'ham you can buy 5l of it from Cousin's in the jewelry quarter, nitric too. They don't sell much else – mostly a display of what the company sells. Hydrochloric can sometimes be bought from some where nearby – if they have stock. They know where.

If you do buy any and it's kept long term best transfer it to a demi john – home brew shop is a good source for those.

What I thought you actually need is weak nitric and caustic soda. Pretty sure that's what I used.

John

–

Edited By Ajohnw on 13/06/2016 16:09:11

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Neill,
I seem to remember that various dyes are used for colouring, in a separate bath after anodising.

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

I have seen half empty beer glasses topped up with meths. Liquid looked like “Aladdin pink” paraffin!
“The Brewery Gates” pub, Brighton.
Boots, chemist did blue tins of meths in those days.

Edited By DMB on 13/06/2016 16:16:52

[Dave Smith the 16thParticipant @davesmiththe16th]

I have used the one shot drain cleaner with no issues. Off the shelf at B&Q or Wilkinsons.

Yep the purple dye is added to prevent you thinking its water and drinking it. Not had to match a colour exactly though. I know not to use stainless screws even if they are out of the liquid. My bracket moved slightly and it touched the acid and got eaten away.

My Dad told me a little rhyme from his schooldays, Something like.

Little Jonny is no more he drank what he thought was H2O but it was H2S04.

[Chris DentonParticipant @chrisdenton53037]

Caustic soda isn't used for anodising, sometimes etching prior to anodising.

Nitric acid solution is used as desmut.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Chris Denton on 13/06/2016 15:52:52:

Is it actually for anodising? If so then it needs to be uncontaminated!

APC Pure and Atom Scientific deliver it (same company, different prices).

It's reccomended you use distilled water, but depending on your area tap water may be ok.

Ratio is generally 160-200 mol for anodising

Edited By Chris Denton on 13/06/2016 15:53:06

Who advertise on ebay **LINK**

though I got mine, for electro/acid sharpening files from South Yorkshire Battery Services

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