Battery acid, Sulfuric acid?

[chromo]

I was reading something some where, maybe my old Caswell pdf manaul, that mentioned using a more pure sulfuric acid I think. Like buy straight acid and dilute to around 1.7SG, and it mentioned battery acid is normally 1.29SG I think.

Something like that anyway, I'll have to read eveything again a few more times.
So I checked with the local Napa here, very small town, they don't have sulfuric acid other than battery acid and when they looked it up they could not find it to be ordered either. I did not ask how much for the battery acid or if they had it, I should have.

Now I don't recall exactly what I was reading, but it's something I was planing to do! Either for a pickle, anodizing, plating, cleaner, or something but it was in the realm of metal finishing and the Specific Gravity was stronger than battery acid.

Is everyone just using battery acid? Or are you mixing straight acid and distilled water? If mixing the straight stuff, who sells it and about how much is it costing you?

Heck online I could not even find battery acid at Napa or Autozone just now!

I figure if I am going to set up all the polishing stuff, I might as well do all the finishes.

[PBInferno]

I'm using straight acid with distilled water. I don't remember how much it was exactly, but I got it at a Battery Wholesale store and it wasn't that expensive.

[sswee]

Most all are using battery acid. Sulfuric acid by itself can be gotten at chemical suppliers. The battery acid is usually easier to get and cheaper. There is no benefit to using straight sulfuric. You would have much more work to dilute down to the proper ratio. Lab grade acid is normally diluted by weight. The procedure for battery acid is diluted by volume.
SS

[acidrain]

PBInferno must be refering to battery acid.
I also use battery acid mixed 1:3 battery acid/water.
Try a battery supply store. I have a Budget Battery close to me, and 5 gal of battery acid is $12.

[PBInferno]

Acidrain, that's what I meant. Thanks for catching that, it was a little late when I wrote that post.

[chromo]

Thanks guys, big help, I'll check the battery store when I go to the big towns again.

I called around, Napa has battery acid $12 a barrel but they did not know how big a barrel is but they had 1 in stock
My geuss is either 1 gallon or 5 gallon

Autozone said they have the pure sulfuric acid for $10 pint. But they don't have battery acid they said

It's nice to live in a rural area sometimes but it does have it's problems allot also!

[Ready2Dye]

Go back to Napa and pick up that "barrel" for 12 bux (its probably a box with a 5 gallon bag in it). That is EXACTLY what you need and what everyone is talking about- your napa guy sounds pretty inept - there is no need for you to go outta town.

( if it is a bag, be careful when you open the tube, you'll have to cut it with scissors or a knife- it's a bitch. )

AND WEAR GOGGLES!!!!!!!!!

[chromo]

Thanks Ready2Dye
"your napa guy sounds pretty inept"
Yes they are, most places around here are.

"its probably a box with a 5 gallon bag in it"

Ok, been along time since I used those, but yes now I remember that box and 5gal bag, and bet that's what they have. I'll try to pick up one or more this week if it is.

[drayegon]

I just bought a five gallon box of it last Saturday at NAPA cost me $12 and some change with tax. yes it comes in a box that has a plastic bag inside and is filled with straight battery acid. You mix battery acid one to one with distilled water and get 19.8% sulphuric acid strength. Then to get down to the 15% I use I add one cup of distilled water extra to my gallon of water and gallon of acid so I have 264oz of fluid after I mix up or in the case of the size tank I use it is 528oz. in my bucket not a bucket but you get it right. take care dray

Originally Posted by chromo

I was reading something some where, maybe my old Caswell pdf manaul, that mentioned using a more pure sulfuric acid I think. Like buy straight acid and dilute to around 1.7SG, and it mentioned battery acid is normally 1.29SG I think.

Something like that anyway, I'll have to read eveything again a few more times.
So I checked with the local Napa here, very small town, they don't have sulfuric acid other than battery acid and when they looked it up they could not find it to be ordered either. I did not ask how much for the battery acid or if they had it, I should have.

Now I don't recall exactly what I was reading, but it's something I was planing to do! Either for a pickle, anodizing, plating, cleaner, or something but it was in the realm of metal finishing and the Specific Gravity was stronger than battery acid.

Is everyone just using battery acid? Or are you mixing straight acid and distilled water? If mixing the straight stuff, who sells it and about how much is it costing you?

Heck online I could not even find battery acid at Napa or Autozone just now!

I figure if I am going to set up all the polishing stuff, I might as well do all the finishes.

[chromo]

Thanks everyone.

I looked at my Napa when there this week and what they showed me is a 5gal plastic jug for $12 for the battery acid.

At Autozone parts store they said they have pure sulfuric acid for $10 a pint.

So I will buy the Napa battery acid and mix as needed. With distilled water when I need a lower strength or with Sulfuric acid if I need stronger strenght.

I have money problems for a few weeks yet, I'll be doing what I can setting up what I have and can get cheap, and start buying the other stuff I'll need in a few weeks.