Muriatic Acid Uses

Muriatic acid is a corrosive mineral acid with numerous industrial uses, including as a cleaning agent in the pickling of steel to remove rust, leather processing and in work with oil wells. It’s used at home as a cleaning agent in solutions or in the swimming pool to maintain pH levels. It’s even used in the production certain food products like aspartame, fructose and citric acid. Muriatic acid can also be used to strip the outer layer from the exterior of abalone shells to reveal the brilliant red of the exterior shell or inside mother-of-pearl; here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Pour the muriatic acid into a wide-mouthed plastic container that will allow sufficient room to dip the shell in and out of, with plenty of room to work freely. Add enough muriatic acid to achieve a pool several inches deep so the shell can be dipped to a depth that covers the portions of shell to be stripped.

2. Smear petroleum jelly over the areas of the shell you do not want to strip. The petroleum jelly will protect the shell from the corrosive effects of the muriatic acid.

3. Dip the shell into the muriatic acid to cover the portions of the shell you wish to strip. Allow shell to remain in the muriatic acid for 10 to 20 seconds at a time until you strip away an adequate layer of exterior shell, revealing the bright red of an abalone or the mother-of-pearl inside of a shell.

4. Remove the shell from the muriatic acid and rinse with clean water immediately once you have removed enough of the exterior shell to reveal the underlying color. If left in the muriatic acid for too long or not rinsed with water, the acid will continue to dissolve the shell.

5. Wash the shell in warm soap and water to remove the petroleum jelly, and dry with a clean dry cloth to finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Muriatic acid is highly corrosive and emits poisonous fumes. Be sure to wear a proper respirator, gloves and eye protection, and work outside in a well-ventilated area.