Preparing Stones: | Cleaning | Using Acid | Drying | Stone Cutting | Developing Patina | Care
Cleaning Stones with Acid
For persistent calcareous projections which remain on stone after washing, use hydrochloric or concentrated formic acid, concentrated or diluted. Always follow instructions carefully and completely.
never pour water into concentrated acid dilute acid by pouring acid SLOWLY into water while mixing
and here is a helpful saying submitted by a reader:
"A little nemonic device for using acid. It is silly but, as it is so very
important to handle acid properly, I find it helpful.... DO AS YOU OUGHTA, ADD ACID TO WATER.
Yes, I am aware that only in New England does
"oughta", (ought to) rhyme with "watah", (water) -- but it still works, perhaps because it is
funny. In other words, this is an easy way to remember that one must NOT add water to acid but
one must add acid to water."
Virginia Williamson, New Hampshire
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Safety when using acid
work with acids in open air and wear mask
do not inhale vapors
wear goggles
wear good rubber gloves
wear plastic or rubber overalls
if acid splashes into eye, wash thoroughly and contact physician
Applying acid to stone
use nonmetallic brushes (acid destroys metallic parts)
after using acid, clean this area of stone with soap & water
put stone in water after acid/ soap & water cleaning; soak several hours
Neutralizing soaking water
At end of the stone-soaking process, you must neutralize any acid in the soaking water. Using Litmus or Ph paper (obtained at any drugstore), test the pH level of the water. If the pH level is well below 7, the water is till acidic. Neutralize it by adding soda to the water. Pour half a drinking glass of a solution of soda and water into the container and mix thoroughly. Retest and add more the soda until you reach a pH level of 7.
After neutralizing, soak the stone in water for a while to neutralize acid which has penetrated the stone's surface. Neutralized water can be safely poured down a normal drain. To dispose of acids, contact your local health officials to determine regulation procedures (best done before you begin acid procedure).
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