Just wondering. I have some painted copper I wish to strip of paint and then polish. Would caustic soda be safe to use?
reggienz,
Feb 6, 3:32am
Any one?
herc18,
Feb 6, 12:49pm
No not without all the correct safety gear, mask, gloves, it is a corrosive poison which heats up and ommits fumes when water added etc.
lythande1,
Feb 6, 1:00pm
why caustic? I would have thought sandpaper would do just as well. Or paint stripper if you must use chemicals.
mojo49,
Feb 6, 2:36pm
Caustic soda does not emit fumes when water added. Caustic soda (Sodium Hydroxide) releases a huge amount of heat as it dissolves in water. Add a few drops of water to caustic soda and the water boils off almost instantly. Hence the appearance of fumes. Basic safety rule with caustic soda. NEVER add water to caustic soda powder. ONLY add caustic soda to plenty of water, a small amount at a time to allow the heat released as it dissolves to disperse through the water safely and not boil the water. Boiling water from a concentrated caustic soda solution splashing in the eyes can cause blindness in seconds. Know the properties of the chemicals you are handling before using them. Yes it is corrosive and will strip paint, but paint stripper would be just as good and safer to use. If you don't fully understand the properties of the chemical don't even think about using it for anything. It is great for unblocking drains, is included in small amounts in household cleaners like Janola, to stabilise the hypochlorite consitituent, kills moss, mould and you if you drink it in anything other than extremely weak solution. It will cause itching and then burn skin if splashed on you in weaker solutions.
nzjay,
Feb 6, 4:18pm
Why not a paint stripper such as Coopers. Simply hose off in a safe place.
rue, it is the fine airborne particles that are thrown up by the violently boiling water that are the problem, not fumes. States that in you link article. hence why I said no fumes. Not the same thing. I used to make up a solution of it with small strips of aluminium, and use the hydrogen released to fill balloons. Attach a wick ex a candle, light the wick, release the balloon and enjoy the often spectacular mid-air explosions. (Too dangerous for today's no-fun society.) I might try it again next Guys Fawkes night. Could be quite good fun for an old person.
zl2adl,
Feb 7, 12:06am
Nah, bugger the caustic soda, was a good varnish stripper. These days there are paint strippers that are a 100% safer and work a lot better - go the M10 or Bunnings and get the good stuff.
mojo49,
Feb 7, 12:13am
Caustic soda will also etch the copper and leave it with a rough surface. Good for getting oil stains out of concrete but breaks down the cement as well and leaves a rough surface.
lovelurking,
Jul 19, 12:27am
If I remember correctly caustic soda exploded and killed a pharmacist and set the pharmacy on fire in Temuka.
I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
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