Picklex 20 vs Eastwood Fast Etch

jfred

Member
I am wondering if anyone has ever compared these 2 products against one another and can give opinions or pros/cons? They both are virtually set out to do the same job dissolve rust to a certain point with phosphoric acid, turn hard to get rust in pits to iron phosphate, and leave behind a layer of zinc phosphate. I have used Eastwood fast etch and was pleased with the results and feel it did what it was supposed to do. Anyhow I used it all up and want to get more but just wanted to make sure that there isn't something even better out there. I like a lot of what I have read about the Picklex but have a few questions for those who have used it.
1. It says not to use chemicals/cleaners over the picklex but a damp cloth. What about wax and grease remover before paint?
2. It also talks about only a small amount of picklex is needed to create a thin layer on the metal. Where as the Eastwood fast etch you're suppose to keep wet for about 30 minutes. To me that seems like it gives it more time to dissolve the rust and convert the rust in the pits. A situation I deal with often is beads on the edge of fenders where the sheet metal is rolled around a wire. I like to let the acid soak in there for awhile to do as much good as possible where I'm afraid the Picklex might not do as well since its not intended to work in that manner, at least it sounds that way from what I've read.

Any thoughts/comments?
TIA
 
They are probably both phosphoric acid. The Eastwood might even be Picklex or someone elses product. Eastwood makes labels for cans not chemicals. I just use 3M metal prep which says it is phosphoric acid right on the bottle.
 
I don't know anything about the Eastwood product. I haven't read the Picklex instructions lately. With Picklex, I don't wipe it off unless I get it too thick. It may sit overnight or for months, when I am ready to paint I just scuff all the white residue I can get off. I always use wax and grease remover. It does not interfere with Picklex. Picklex is not a "acid wash" and other than wiping the excess off, it does not need to be removed while damp. I don't remember the damp cloth thing as Picklex is not waterproof and is effective as long as it is not exposed to water. The instructions say it can be painted over without being removed. Regardless I don't like to paint over excess residue so I scuff as much residue as I can get off then paint. Instructions for phosphoric acid products are often exaggerated, and as far as I'm concerned not accurate--just use common sense.
 
I know that--I like it because it is a relatively weak acid compared to others that are advertised. However, the name is or used to be Picklex 20, I thought the 20 meant 20% P. I used to work in a lab and used the real thing, concentrated acids, and diluted them to fit what I was doing.
 

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