Cleaning bay walls
- Thread starter Kirb
- Start date
Bubbles Galore
Active member
I'm going to be using muratic acid when I do my bay walls here in the next few weeks.
For cleaning concrete block, we've been using pool chlorine for years. Buy it by the gallon at Home Depot. Spray it on, let sit for a few minutes and hose it off with high pressure. DO NOT spray on signs or get it on your clothing as it makes a stain that will be there forever. It works especially well on green moss and that black stuff that grows in the crevases of the block. Hope this helps. Denduke
Last edited:
MEP001
Well-known member
Muriatic acid will not hurt Lexan, but it eats some plastics, so you'll want to test it. It won't harm stainless right away, but if you leave it on too long or let it dry it turns it black. Otherwise it will clean it like new. It will also strip galvanizing and chrome right off steel.
It will remove concrete, so you'll want to wet the floor or use a tarp that will resist the acid. It will melt some plastics and might fuse a cheap painter's drape to the floor.
It will remove concrete, so you'll want to wet the floor or use a tarp that will resist the acid. It will melt some plastics and might fuse a cheap painter's drape to the floor.
Thank you for all your replies.
MEP,
Should I apply the Muriatic acid in a pump sprayer? How long should I let it stay on the walls? Do I need to scrub with brush? Where is the best place to buy? Will this work better than some of the wall chemicals sold by KR? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks again,
Kirb
MEP,
Should I apply the Muriatic acid in a pump sprayer? How long should I let it stay on the walls? Do I need to scrub with brush? Where is the best place to buy? Will this work better than some of the wall chemicals sold by KR? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks again,
Kirb
JMMUSTANG
car wash owner
I've used some stuff in the past from Arcadia but I think it's HF so I stopped using it.
The stuff worked great though. Just to dangerous.
The stuff worked great though. Just to dangerous.
MEP001
Well-known member
If you use muriatic acid, go to the paint department and get a deck sprayer. It's the only one Home Depot/Lowe's carries that will resist the acid. I bought a much more expensive one from there because they were out of the one I wanted, and it lasted two uses.
You won't need to let the muriatic acid sit for long at all. You'll see what I mean once you apply it. You won't need to or want to brush it.
You can use something much more expensive, like Klean Wall, but it's not as effective on plain old calcium build-up.
You should be able to find muriatic acid at most home improvement centers.
If the buildup is bad, use it straight. Try to do it when there's no breeze, and preferably when it's raining.
You won't need to let the muriatic acid sit for long at all. You'll see what I mean once you apply it. You won't need to or want to brush it.
You can use something much more expensive, like Klean Wall, but it's not as effective on plain old calcium build-up.
You should be able to find muriatic acid at most home improvement centers.
If the buildup is bad, use it straight. Try to do it when there's no breeze, and preferably when it's raining.
Wally
Member
I would never use muriatic acid straight from the bottle on anything.
Waxman
Super Moderator
I disagree about the necessity of acid-proof, pump-up sprayers.
The best I have used are the cheapest from ACE Hardware. Around $20 and has lasted me a year.
The best I have used are the cheapest from ACE Hardware. Around $20 and has lasted me a year.
We?ve use Arcadian Nu-wall for years. We mix it 2 parts of water to 1 part Nu-wall in a Zep hose end sprayer with some foam brush soap to make it cling to the wall when we spray it on the wall. These wall cleaners are very dangerous and should be used with respect and used it in a safe manner, which means to use/wear safety gear. I think I?d use Nu-wall before I?d use Muriatic acid which is Hydrochloric acid.
Whatever product you use, make sure the wind is not blowing, and it's best to have a safety person to keep customers from coming over to you. I also keep another garden hose close by and connected, so that is yiou do get some on you, you can rinse right away. Let us know what you use and how it worked.
MEP001
Well-known member
Have you ever put muriatic acid in one?Waxman said:
I've had a cheap sprayer last a while since I always clean it out when I'm done, but the deck sprayers (only about $25) last many years. All the seals are viton.
Waxman
Super Moderator
Never put muriatic acid in one. Never clean them out. Just leave the acid right in there.
MEP001
Well-known member
Muriatic acid, especially straight, is a whole different monster than whatever you're using. I assure you that if you put it into your sprayer straight and leave it when you're done, it won't work next time you need it.
P
Patrick H. Crowe
Guest
There are many, many dangers. Table saw; power mowers; bar-b-q grills? On and on. Here's the message, plain & simple.
Nu-wall is the nearly perfect product for this job. It is dangerous if noe properly used. Yes, complete protection is needed. Full suit with hood, gloves. boots, ventilator, face mask. But once thoroughly protected it's safe.
Only those macho man fools and immoral employers would do any less.
Patrick H. Crowe
Nu-wall is the nearly perfect product for this job. It is dangerous if noe properly used. Yes, complete protection is needed. Full suit with hood, gloves. boots, ventilator, face mask. But once thoroughly protected it's safe.
Only those macho man fools and immoral employers would do any less.
Patrick H. Crowe
Dirt
Laser Blade
I used a bucket of nu-wall once. Thats what got me hooked on acid.
That was probably the best stuff. Cleaned well at 5:1. Now I use JBS wall cleaner. Have to cut it about 2:1, but cleans just as well. For me it's easier to get, from KR. I do 2 frp panels at a time so it don't dry. When it's raining is best.
Before that I used Bleach White and a stiff push broom. Glad those days are over.
And, I don't wear a space suit when I clean the walls. Just everyday clothes like boots, jeans, hoodie. And it stays in my cheap Lowes sprayer all the time.
Actually, I clean the aluminum wheels on my truck and my wifes luxury sedan with it too.
PS: Having clean walls will make you smile.
That was probably the best stuff. Cleaned well at 5:1. Now I use JBS wall cleaner. Have to cut it about 2:1, but cleans just as well. For me it's easier to get, from KR. I do 2 frp panels at a time so it don't dry. When it's raining is best.
Before that I used Bleach White and a stiff push broom. Glad those days are over.
And, I don't wear a space suit when I clean the walls. Just everyday clothes like boots, jeans, hoodie. And it stays in my cheap Lowes sprayer all the time.
Actually, I clean the aluminum wheels on my truck and my wifes luxury sedan with it too.
PS: Having clean walls will make you smile.
Dirt, Pat is absolutely right. If you insist on using products containing the fluoride ion you need to use protective gear. Long term slight exposure can be as dangerous as a one time heavy exposure. Take the time to put on protective gear. You won't regret it.
