SandyC said:
Hi Guys,
For hobby use in a domestic environment, especially where there are young children, the use of the higher (more severe) Acids (Sulfuric, Hydrochloric etc) is courting disaster and the much safer alternative of Citric Acid is the way to go.
Vinegar may be safer but dilute Sulfuric acid (battery acid 37% diluted 7 or 8 to one) will do in ten minutes what will take over night with vinegar.
If you have kids and pets around you better keep the shop locked anyway because there is a lot of other things that can bite them there besides acid. Don't forget your goggels and don't put hot items into the acid bath, the steam that comes out is diluted acid not just water.