Iron stains on concrete

[JimLewis]

Anyone know of a good product for getting iron stains (rust) off of sidewalks? Every once in a while one of my crews accidentally stains someone's driveway. Pressure washing definitely doesn't work. We've been using a chemical they sell at the local turf store called "Miracle Rust Away" and it works pretty good but it isn't 100%. Just wondering if anyone knew of something better.

[Guido]

But be very careful with it.......It will not only kill any grass or plants it touches, but will get you and your guys too!! Follow all the instructions on the MSDS to the T!

[JimLewis]

Where would I find this nasty stuff?

[swonkeg]

Try a local swimming pool place or store. They carry it
as a ph adjuster for pool water.

[Guido]

or any local hardware store. Believe it or not, anyone can buy it.

Heres the MSDS - FYI

Hope this helped!



ALCOLAC -- HYDROCHLORIC ACID (MURATIC ACID)
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ALCOLACNSN: 681000N031994
Manufacturer's CAGE: 57577
Part No. Indicator: A
Part Number/Trade Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID (MURATIC ACID)
===========================================================================
General Information
===========================================================================
Company's Name: ALCOLAC INC
Company's Street: 3440 FAIRFIELD RD
Company's City: BALTIMORE
Company's State: MD
Company's Country: US
Company's Zip Code: 21226
Company's Emerg Ph #: 800-424-9300 (CHEMTREC)
Company's Info Ph #: 301-354-0100
Record No. For Safety Entry: 001
Tot Safety Entries This Stk#: 001
Status: SMJ
Date MSDS Prepared: 29JUN88
Safety Data Review Date: 02AUG95
MSDS Serial Number: BPPYK
Hazard Characteristic Code: C1
===========================================================================
Ingredients/Identity Information
===========================================================================
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Ingredient Sequence Number: 01
Percent: 20-22
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: MW4025000
CAS Number: 7647-01-0
OSHA PEL: NOT APPLICABLE
ACGIH TLV: NOT APPLICABLE
===========================================================================
Physical/Chemical Characteristics
===========================================================================
Appearance And Odor: COLORLESS TO LIGHT YELLOW FUMING LIQUID; STRONG
IRRITATING ODOR.
Boiling Point: 230F,110C
Vapor Pressure (MM Hg/70 F): 10 @ 25C
Specific Gravity: 1.107 (H2O=1)
Solubility In Water: COMPLETE
===========================================================================
Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
===========================================================================
Flash Point: NON-COMBUSTIBLE
Lower Explosive Limit: N/A
Upper Explosive Limit: N/A
Extinguishing Media: NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. USE MEDIA SUITABLE FOR
SURROUDING FIRE CONDITIONS (FP N).
Special Fire Fighting Proc: WEAR NIOSH/MSHA APPROVED SCBA & FULL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (FP N).
Unusual Fire And Expl Hazrds: THIS MATERIAL CAN REACT W/MOST METALS TO
EVOLVE HYDROGEN WHICH IS FLAMMABLE.
===========================================================================
Reactivity Data
===========================================================================
Stability: YES
Cond To Avoid (Stability): CONTACT W/COMMON METALS.
Materials To Avoid: COMMON METALS: THEIR OXIDES, CARBIDES & CARBONATES.
Hazardous Decomp Products: HYDROGEN.
Hazardous Poly Occur: NO
Conditions To Avoid (Poly): NOT RELEVANT.
===========================================================================
Health Hazard Data
===========================================================================
LD50-LC50 Mixture: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Route Of Entry - Inhalation: YES
Route Of Entry - Skin: YES
Route Of Entry - Ingestion: NO
Health Haz Acute And Chronic: ACUTE/CHRONIC: SEVERE EYE, SKIN &
RESPIRATORY IRRITANT ON PROLONGED CONTACT. INHALATION OF CONCENTRATIONS OF
ABOUT 1500 PPM IN AIR ARE FATAL IN A FEW MINUTES.
Carcinogenicity - NTP: NO
Carcinogenicity - IARC: NO
Carcinogenicity - OSHA: NO
Explanation Carcinogenicity: NOT RELEVANT.
Signs/Symptoms Of Overexp: SEE HEALTH HAZARDS.
Med Cond Aggravated By Exp: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Emergency/First Aid Proc: INHAL:MOVE TO FRESH AIR IMMED. GIVE O2 FOR
RELIEF OF COUGHING. IF BRTHG HAS STOPPED, PERFORM ARTF RESP. KEEP VICTIM
WARM & RESTED. SEEK MD IMMED. EYES:IMMED FLUSH W/COPIOUS AMTS OF WATER FOR
AT LEAST 15 MINS, OCCASNLY LIFTING EYELIDS. GET MD IMMED. SKIN:FLUSH
CONTAMD SKIN W/WATER. REMOVE ANY CONTAMD CLTHG. GET MD. INGEST:DO NOT
INDUCE VOM. IF INGESTED & VICTIM IS CONSCIOUS, GIVE LGE (SUPP DATA)
===========================================================================
Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
===========================================================================
Steps If Matl Released/Spill: DIKE & NEUTRALIZE W/AN ALKALINE MATERIAL.
ABSORB ON SAND OR OTHER INDUSTRIAL ABSORBENT. THOROUGHLY WASH AREA TO
REMOVE ANY RESIDUAL PRODUCT.
Neutralizing Agent: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Waste Disposal Method: ABSORBED MATERIAL MAY BE LANDFILLED IN CLOSED
CONTAINERS & NEUTRALIZED MATERIAL CAN BE FLUSHED AWAY IN ACCORDANCE W/
LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
Precautions-Handling/Storing: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Other Precautions: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
===========================================================================
Control Measures
===========================================================================
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA APPROVED ACID VAPOR CARTRIDGE
RESPIRATOR W/FULL FACE MASK FOR LOW VAPOR CONCENTRATION. NIOSH/MSHA
APPROVED SCBA FOR HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS.
Ventilation: LOCAL EXHAUST AT POINT OF FORMULATION.
Protective Gloves: RUBBER GLOVES.
Eye Protection: CHEM WORK GOGGS/FULL LENGTH FSHLD (FP N)
Other Protective Equipment: FULL RUB SUIT IF EXPOSED TO SPRAY OR HIGH
VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS. CLOTHING TO PREVENT REPEATED OR PROLONGED SKIN
CONTACT.
Work Hygienic Practices: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Suppl. Safety & Health Data: FIRST AID PROC:AMOUNTS OF LIME WATER OR MILK
OF MAGNESIA. CALL THE POISON CONTROL CENTER OR A MD. SEEK IMMEDIATE
MEDICATION TREATMENT.
===========================================================================
Transportation Data
===========================================================================
Trans Data Review Date: 93012
DOT PSN Code: HJG
DOT Proper Shipping Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID, SOLUTION
DOT Class: 8
DOT ID Number: UN1789
DOT Pack Group: II
DOT Label: CORROSIVE
IMO PSN Code: IEX
IMO Proper Shipping Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID
IMO Regulations Page Number: 8183
IMO UN Number: 1789
IMO UN Class: 8
IMO Subsidiary Risk Label: -
IATA PSN Code: NPG
IATA UN ID Number: 1789
IATA Proper Shipping Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID
IATA UN Class: 8
IATA Label: CORROSIVE
AFI PSN Code: NPG
AFI Symbols: T
AFI Prop. Shipping Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID, SOLUTION
AFI Class: 8
AFI ID Number: UN1789
AFI Pack Group: II
AFI Special Prov: A3,A6,N41
AFI Basic Pac Ref: 12-5
===========================================================================
Disposal Data
===========================================================================
===========================================================================
Label Data
===========================================================================
Label Required: YES
Technical Review Date: 22JUN92
Label Status: G
Common Name: HYDROCHLORIC ACID (MURATIC ACID)
Chronic Hazard: NO
Signal Word: DANGER!
Acute Health Hazard-Slight: X
Contact Hazard-Severe: X
Fire Hazard-None: X
Reactivity Hazard-None: X
Special Hazard Precautions: ACUTE: SEVERE EYE, SKIN AND RESPIRATORY
IRRITANT ON PROLONGED CONTACT. INHALATION OF ABOUT 1500 PPM IN AIR IS
FATAL. CHRONIC: NONE LISTED BY MANUFACTURER.
Protect Eye: Y
Protect Skin: Y
Protect Respiratory: Y
Label Name: ALCOLAC INC
Label Street: 3440 FAIRFIELD RD
Label City: BALTIMORE
Label State: MD
Label Zip Code: 21226
Label Country: US
Label Emergency Number: 800-424-9300 (CHEMTREC)

[Rooster]

Cheaper way to go and works for me.

Take a can of Coke, pour directly on stain, a little at a time. let set about 30 minutes, pressure wash off.

Amazing what this stuff coke will do.
Just my .02 cents.

Good Luck.

[Chopper Lover]

Go to your local hardware store and purchase a bottle of Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover. They are about $4/qt. and $12/gal. The stuff works well and is great for soap scum & rust stains around your shower, tub, toilets and sinks too. It is found in the area of the store with the Drain Cleaners.

Mark

Coke does some amazing things... I wonder what it is doing to my stomach!!!

[turfguy]

Ok dave where did you get that msds sheet anyway???
could you try to find me one for ethel mertz

[Fantasy Lawns]

The CLR is good on rust stains on Stucco Walls, Vinyl Fencing ....try it first ..but on cement drive ways & retaining walls you may try

..liquid pool chlorine ... 1/4 chlorine 3/4 water with a few drops of detergent (to foam an let you see the work area) Spray the mixture on one area at a time and allow to soak for a few minutes ....using a strong hose to rinse the area thoroughly ...the chlorine removes mould and pollution stains very quickly but must be hosed off before it dries ....if you have some precious or sensitive plants then I suggest you cover them with a plastic sheet before you start or give them a good rinsing with the hose after you rinse the wall ....

But if all else fails ....the MURATIC ACID will DO THE JOB ....but be real CAREFUL with this stuff .....no exposed skin ....eye & mouth protection ...

[DMC300]

Go to the Dollar General Store (if you have them there) and pick-up THE WORKS tub & shower cleaner.It's got phosphoric acid in it and it works great.

[Ssouth]

turfguy, the store you purchase the ethyl mertz from should have a MSDS. Most hazardous chemical are required to be accompanied by a MSDS and retailers are required by law to have a copy upon request. FYI, OSHA requires any company who handles hazardous materials must have MSDS's available for employees. I can't recall the exact CFR code but it is in there.

[morturf]

I have used a cordless drill with a wire brush in it. It is fast if you are get it soon enough. I know another thing my mom used to use, you are going to laugh but salt and lemon juice will remove rust stains.

[Guido]

Send me the producing companies name and the correct spelling (if that wasn't it) for your product and I should be able to find it fast.

Hope this helps!


Oh yeah, if you didn't see my other thread, e-mail me!

[powerreel]

Jim, I used to have the iron stain prob. also, also leaching down from a hill lawn onto the white sidewalk below, or guys who just miss an area with the blower. I now use Fer. Sucrate instead of Sulfate- it doesn't stain, why worry?

[turfman99]

IMO, the use of iron in fertilizers yeilds very little benifits versus the cost of removing the stain from the clients walk and drives. It only takes one misapplication and the chore of going back to remove it to take all the profit away.

I think you can get the grass green without the use of the iron and save yourself a lot of headache. Even though your crew says, " Oh, we blow it all off" NOT!!

I won't even have iron in shrub fertilizer, because someone will put it on a lawn and stain the walk or drive.

The use of iron in a granular form does not yeild any greater benifit than a fertilizer with out it. Unless you have massive amount of moss, but the iron in granular form will not treat the moss as well as a liquid application of the product, which will not stain concrete.

Your not making money on your hands and knees scrubbing concrete from a mistake.