For many years it has been the standard cleaning method to prepare concrete for coatings installations to remove stains of any type from concrete and to remove concrete slurry or efflorescence from bricks.
Muriatic acid to clean oil from concrete.
Add small amounts of lime and muriatic acid until the leftover acid is all gone and the solution is no longer fizzing.
Also remember to add the acid slowly to the water source.
The most common acids used to clean concrete and bricks are hydrochloric acid muriatic or phosphoric acid.
Make sure you wear your respirator and gloves and lean as far away from the bucket as you can to minimize any danger of being splashed.
It s very important to only add the acid to the water.
The acid works well on concrete and on many masonry projects because it neutralizes alkalinity.
The surface becomes etched and clean which allows for the proper adhesion of a new coating.
Working with muriatic acid is dangerous.
Make a solution of one part muriatic acid to nine parts water adding the acid to the water not the other way around.
Despite its effectiveness muriatic acid should be used on concrete stains only if you ve tried gentler alternatives to no avail.
Never add water to acid.
Wear eye protection put on rubber gloves to protect your hands and arms and make sure that there s plenty of ventilation.