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How do I color muriatic acid without high expense?

2003

I have been making imitation rocks and am interested in coloring the concrete with muriatic acid [affil links]. I know some simple household items that can be used to color tans, gray, and green however, I am interested in information on what might be used to color the acid a dark brown without paying the high cost of colored muriatic acid. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul E. Frye
- Summerdale, Alabama

Paul, muriatic acid does not contain a dye. The product you are talking about may contain muriatic acid, however. Pressure wash it, let it dry and apply a polyurethane paint that is made for concrete if you do not like the specialty product. For home brew's, it is trial and error with a small probability of a beautiful end product.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

Dear Paul :

I suggest you use ferric chloride [on eBay or Amazon] instead of coloring HYDROCHLORIC acid. It will give you the desired yellow to brown depending on the concentration.

Regards,

Hamed M. Marie
- Cairo, Egypt
2003