CLEANING STONE AND BRICK WITH ACID (part 2) Mike Haduck 

First off you never use metal tools or wire brushes to clean masonry. The metal wears off on the masonry and can leave rust stains. You put water in the bucket first so the fumes are less when pouring 100% surekleen or acidic cleaners in a bucket. Fill the bucket with proper amount of water then add the acid. It can be measured that way also. Surekleen has muriatic acid in it. It also has emulsifiers in it to make it cling to the surface. You try to keep the brick as clean as possible but you will have to clean it. You need to thoroughly wet the wall before placing any cleaner on the wall to keep the wall from absorbing the cleaner and working on the surface. Vanatrol works better with bricks that containing manganese which will turn green a few days after cleaning with surekleen 600. Test panel should also be done for any cleaning method on a sample panel or most inconspicuous place on an existing building. If OSHA ever showed up on your job you would have so many violations you would be buried in tens of thousands of dollars in fines. I use old mortar formed into brick type shapes (not as big) but in handy sizes from left over mortar as the job progress. It's free and does not damage the brick. As it wears sand particles help clean the brick.

I used vinegar on this job in DC to clean off a terra-cotta band. It required a little bit more elbow grease but it did the trick without burning the brick.

That prosco 600 cleaner does have the muriatic acid which isn't as harsh as pure muriatic acid. A lot of the brick companies label their brick with a do not use acid. You are right it can be bad on the brick. There are times when it can be useful for those times when the film stays. I agree certain time certain jobs. I always suggest like a 5 to 1 mix to start on a tough job .Less if not so bad. An alkaline ( household ammonia) applied afterwords then a mild detergent helps get rid of any remaining acid after the cleaning.

One of the Best products for using on Natural Stone that I have used from this Company SUREKLEAN is Vana Trol. The results have been the Best! for removing all the dust and dirt that comes from the Stone Yard, including any Cement Stains. In most cases I clean the Stone first so I can see all the rich colors. The Vana Trol removes all dust and dirt and the clients really see the difference! As Mike has shared, test before using. Make sure you cover the location, Driveway or - when cleaning. I use 60m grade Construction paper to cover area when cleaning the Stone. Once again, Great product! Vana Trol. Thank You! Mike!

Been a while since I heard this much talk about doin’ joints and usin’ acid…but I’ll give it a shot boss 😅

The best tutorial brick cleaning video on RU-vid

Get some better brick layers

I read a thing on line a few years back Mike about brick cleaning .they were discussing in country's were its the norm to clean new brickwork with acid wash was the standard of brickwork (cleanliness wise) falling because the masons knew there was guys coming on behind them to clean the work . So they were posing the question if the brick cleaning was fazed out would that then cause the masons to keep the brick clean because they would no longer have the safety net of cleaners coming on behind them.certainly I know in Ireland and I think the uk it's not the practice to wash new brick work down you are required to leave clean work from the trowel . What ever about the brick itself it can't do day old mortar any good to be washed and scrubbed with acid and brush.

Appalling HSE compliance when adding water to a is in a spray/mist. In the ‘Old World’ we add the acid to the water but then again most professionals dong get mortar on the brick!

Thank you for the safety warnings ! Great video.

Thanks for this one , finally a real good explanation for us newbie's. Thumbs up..👍

This is a man of quality. Like a craftsman and master of his trade. You can just tell.

thank you for the "real world" video...and the suggestions on what to do before using acid. Hello from Texas!

Thanks u opened my eye before I caused damage. 1875 house red highly smooth serface and red mortar, very thin line. I know it a fancy pricy homes so I will test a lot befor I endeavour. Straight forward video, clearly think befor u do,,, thanks.

Thanks, Mike, great video.

Great videos Mike!

Thanks for the video saved me wasting time and money on bricks that are not going to be cleaned in this manner.

Hey Mike Chester here We are trying to restore brick fireplaces. Im scrambling through internet I see your video and know now Ill be okay Im not sure we will use the acid possibly something less aggressive. By the way a couple of friends and I did twenty three steps with a eleven foot drop. I just wanted to thank you. Most things are "no big deal " God bless you, yf Chester

Great video's Mike!

Thanks Mike for taking the time to show us the right way. I have learned a lot.