cleaning sulfuric acid stains from brick pavers

[Bill's Cart Service]

Have a golf cart business that leaves sulfuric acid stains on brick
pavers after batteries have been charged. It has the appearence of the
color of rust. Customers are complaining about the stains on their
pavers. Any soulution to remove these stains would be appreciated.

 

[Danny D.]

Customers are complaining about the stains on their
pavers. Any soulution to remove these stains would be appreciated.

Dunno why the color is that of rust, but, in alt.home.repair
I posted a bunch of pictures where I removed real rust stains
(from tools left outside all winter) on plastic outdoor tables
with pool acid.

The caveat was that I was removing real rust stains; and that
the medium was plastic.

In your case, who knows what the rust-colored stain really is;
and, depending on what the paver is made out of, the pool acid
may eat into the paver (so you must test in an inconspicuous
area first).

Someone else should know a lot more; but that's all I can offer
without knowing what the rust-colored stain is made out of.

 

[The Daring Dufas]

Have a golf cart business that leaves sulfuric acid stains on brick
pavers after batteries have been charged. It has the appearence of the
color of rust. Customers are complaining about the stains on their
pavers. Any soulution to remove these stains would be appreciated.

Have you tried battery terminal cleaner sold at auto parts stores? You
could try a small spray can of it before looking for a larger container
from a battery warehouse. There is a Crown Battery commercial location
on the other side of town from me and companies like that have very
knowledgeable folks on their staff.

TDD

 

[Oren]

Have a golf cart business that leaves sulfuric acid stains on brick
pavers after batteries have been charged. It has the appearence of the
color of rust. Customers are complaining about the stains on their
pavers. Any soulution to remove these stains would be appreciated.

I'd try some CLR, first. Sulfamic acid (used as a tile and grout
cleaner - in the tile section of the store), next.

Found this site, but have not used the product. Just passing it
along.

<http://www.theruststore.com/Concrete-Rust-Remover-Step-by-Step-W60C2.aspx>

 

[dadiOH]

"Bill's Cart Service"
in message

Have a golf cart business that leaves sulfuric acid
stains on brick pavers after batteries have been charged.
It has the appearence of the color of rust. Customers
are complaining about the stains on their pavers. Any
soulution to remove these stains would be appreciated.

Why/how is acid getting out of the batteries?

I'm trying to figure out what sort of stains you actually have. Your
description of being rust colored has gotten you suggestions on how to
remove rust but I don't think that's what you have. Acids can induce iron
to rust but they don't create it; the opposite in fact.

My best guess is that the acid has dissolved some of the paver surface. If
that's it, no cure.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

 

[Danny D.]

My best guess is that the acid has dissolved some of the paver
surface. If that's it, no cure.

Maybe dissolve some more paver surface to even it out?

 

[trader4]

That is my take too. I'm not sure calling it a stain is the
right terminology. If you put acid on something it can react
with, the chemical reaction turns what is there into something else
and that portion is gone and not recoverable.

Maybe dissolve some more paver surface to even it out?

might be an option if the look of those "stained" areas
is acceptable and the rest of the pavers is not a real large
area. It's also possible that the acid removed a layer of
old, faded paver and left the new exposed. In that case,
power washing the rest might even it out.

 

[Dan Espen]

"Bill's Cart Service"
in message


Why/how is acid getting out of the batteries?

I'm trying to figure out what sort of stains you actually have. Your
description of being rust colored has gotten you suggestions on how to
remove rust but I don't think that's what you have. Acids can induce iron
to rust but they don't create it; the opposite in fact.

My best guess is that the acid has dissolved some of the paver surface. If
that's it, no cure.

My thought too, but there is a cure.

First wash with water. If that doesn't clear up the problem, get a
paver puller and some replacement pavers. Done deal.

 

[Oren]

First wash with water. If that doesn't clear up the problem, get a
paver puller and some replacement pavers. Done deal.

Can't you just turn the paver over to the good side and use it again?

 

[TomR]

Have a golf cart business that leaves sulfuric acid stains on brick
pavers after batteries have been charged. It has the appearance of
the color of rust. Customers are complaining about the stains on
their pavers. Any solution to remove these stains would be
appreciated.

Acid is used to intentionally do "acid staining" of concrete to change the
color of the concrete. So, I doubt that anything will "reverse" the stains
that you are causing on people's concrete or brick pavers.

I like the ideas that others suggested of using a "paver puller" to remove
the damaged pavers and either replace them or flip them over etc. Or, maybe
switch them out with other pavers that are in a non-visible location.

Obviously, something needs to be put down under where the work is being done
so no acid or anything else drips down and damages the surface of whatever
is underneath. That would be true for any type of on-sight vehicle repair
service.

If Bills Cart Service is your real name, it looks like you are in the
Houston, TX area

 

[Oren]

Acid is used to intentionally do "acid staining" of concrete to change the
color of the concrete. So, I doubt that anything will "reverse" the stains
that you are causing on people's concrete or brick pavers.

I like the ideas that others suggested of using a "paver puller" to remove
the damaged pavers and either replace them or flip them over etc. Or, maybe
switch them out with other pavers that are in a non-visible location.

Obviously, something needs to be put down under where the work is being done
so no acid or anything else drips down and damages the surface of whatever
is underneath. That would be true for any type of on-sight vehicle repair
service.

"...This GC2 (Golf Cart Battery) battery box is manufactured from
polyethylene plastic that effectively collects electrolyte, allows
ventilation and prevents accidental contact of battery terminals. This
Plastic Battery Box GC2 Case meets USCG Code of Federal Regulations
183.420 and ABYC E-10.7 specification."

Proudly Made in The USA!

 

[Oren]

If you have battery acid leaking then you have a major problem with the
batteries.

Why a "major problem"? Do batteries in the UK not have corrosion? It
is from the acid that can weep out of the cells.

<http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/electrical/transient/corroded_terminal.jpg>

I've seen battery mounts and fasteners rusted, corroded, same with
corrosion deep into a battery cable - that can not be cleaned up and
needs replaced.

Tip: put a copper penny on the battery top, the corrosion will migrate
to the penny and not the cable. Replace as needed for a penny.

This needs attention or your golf carts will corrode away apart from the
safety aspect (someone could get an acid burn).

Hence, the plastic battery boxes I mentioned prior.

 

[harryagain]

Why a "major problem"? Do batteries in the UK not have corrosion? It
is from the acid that can weep out of the cells.

<http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/electrical/transient/corroded_terminal.jpg>

I haven't seen a battery as bad as that for years now.
And never seen one so bad that acid leaks on to the floor.
A bit of WD40 or similar on the terminals cuts out most of the terminal
corrosion problems.

Most batteries for traction applications are sealed in case the vehicle
overturns when the driver could be burned otherwise.

 

[virginiaharms]

Dunno why the color is that of rust, but, in alt.home.repair
I posted a bunch of pictures where I removed real rust stains
(from tools left outside all winter) on plastic outdoor tables
with pool acid.

The caveat was that I was removing real rust stains; and that
the medium was plastic.

In your case, who knows what the rust-colored stain really is;
and, depending on what the paver is made out of, the pool acid
may eat into the paver (so you must test in an inconspicuous
area first).

Someone else should know a lot more; but that's all I can offer
without knowing what the rust-colored stain is made out of.
acid staining orlando

I’ve used some end of line mortar cleaner on my drive to get rid of some mortar and dirt. As the diluted version wasn’t great I left it on neat and now it’s stained my grey and red brick paving white. Any ideas how I can get rid of this as it’s ruined my drive! I think the cleaner had sulphuric acid and must have been too strong for the bricks and now some have gone faded white. any advice! Would a deal hide it? Can it come off or brick restored?