[TheForge] RE: pickling solutions

[Andy Vida]

Bruce Freeman wrote:

> So, lacking a pH
> meter, the best measure might be how quickly the pickle works to clean
> the metal.

	Or plain old fashioned pH paper.
> 
> BTW, "battery acid" (sulfuric) and muriatic (hydrochloric) acid are
> stronger acids than sodium bisulfate and will undoubtedly work faster.
> But they are more hazardous as well.  Phosphoric acid is about the same
> "strength" (in terms of pH) as bisulfate.  Acetic acid (vinegar) is a
> good deal less "strong" but will clean metal overnight, in my limited
> experience.

	remember when Marshall had those plywood pickling tanks in
	the shop?  Didn't the metal sit there for a week or more?