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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Need etching formula for ceramic bathtub which will not rust metal

December 17, 2009

I have been etching porcelain bathtubs to make the more slip resistant but HCl keeps discoloring the drain. What can I change to keep it effective without discoloring metal?

0.5% ABF
2.5% HCL
Rest water

Should I add Oxalic Acid or replace HCl with Sulufric acid? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Joe Mann
student - Texas

Hi, Joe. If you have developed a good way to etch porcelain bathtubs, I wouldn't change it. Rather I would figure out a reliable way to mask the drain with a plug, cap, platers' tape, or liquid maskant. I hope you mix the HCl at a remote location. You should not bring strong HCl into your customers' bathrooms as it fumes and the fumes alone will destroy other brightwork.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 17, 2009

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