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Techniques for Collectorsoxalic acid in a galvanized container?

26th Jul 2012 14:05 UTCJason Duke

I am using oxalic acid to clean amethyst. The only container I have that is big enough for a particular piece is a galvanized metal wash pan. My question is will the oxalic acid react with the galvanized container. I am assuming it is galvanized with zinc? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

26th Jul 2012 16:52 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert

True galzanization is a zinc coating. I suspect that oxalic acid would react with the zinc. I also suspect that Peter Haas would know for sure. So when in doubt don't do it.

26th Jul 2012 16:59 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

Don't do it, use a plastic container.

26th Jul 2012 17:08 UTCGeorge Creighton

Quote from Rock Currier thread cleaning quartz:-

" It is best that this chemical is used in plastic or ceramic containers and not metal ones, because the oxalic acid will attack most metals. "

The article is a very good read.

Regards george

http://www.mindat.org/article.php/403/Cleaning+Quartz

26th Jul 2012 21:57 UTCRock Currier Expert

You can often get away with using iron containers or metal containers, but it will sometimes make a mess and in time will eat the iron and I suspect the zinc coating as well. The guys in Arkansas have found that a particular kind of steel will stand up to the oxalic acid cleaning method without any problems. But you can read about that in my Quartz cleaning article. Don't you have a big plastic tub around you can use? You cant heat it up much so the oxalic acid may take longer to work. But you can put the tub on the sun and cover it with black plastic to warm it during the day and that will not heat the plastic too much. Usually about 55 degrees centigrade is about all polyethylene can take without deforming. Just hot enough that you can barely keep your hand on it is OK

27th Jul 2012 02:50 UTCBart Cannon

I once had a stainless steel hospital style heated tub that I used for oxalic acid treatments in the back yard.

It eventually corroded and started leaking into my dog's stainless steel "limb bin" based food container. A fabulous foot pedal controlled revolving door and huge repository designed to throw human arms and legs into in the operating room. Sweet !.

I now use a very large ceramic tub "crockpot" for oxalic. It has been working well for years. It was a Christmas gift from my mom. She doesn't know that I don't make chile or stew in it. Don't tell.

Bart

27th Jul 2012 03:13 UTCChris Krietsch

Try a large rubbermaid tub or go to the local home center and get a garden tub. If they are not big enough go to a soda company and get a 55 gal syrup container and cut the top off. Commercial laundey places buy liquid soap in large plastic containers. You could get a plastic bath tub and plug up the outlets. If you need something bigger go to a place that services commercial trucks, they get fluids delivered in 275 to 300 gal containers that have a base that is the dimension of a pallat, 4 foot x 4 foot x 4 foot with a metal exterior frame and a drain on the bottom. The biggest problem will be getting the rock in and out of the tub. I brought a 100lb plus boulder back from Arkansas, treated it with super iron out a real challenge, now it resides in my back yard.

27th Jul 2012 12:31 UTCJason Duke

Thanks for all the advice folks. I think I will pass on using the galvanized tub and find something plastic. I will try heating the solution slightly also.

Regards,Jason

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