The active ingredient is Ammonium bifluoride which will etch quartz crystals and glass (silicon dioxide) much like hydrofluoric acid. The effect on
marble and other calcium based materials is minimal but etching can occur with any dilution and on any material. Testing should be done prior to using this material.
This chemical crates a rotten egg smell and can off gas severely. We use respirators even outside. Heavy exposure can injure your brain permanently. But the same is true with a lot of the acid and solvents we all use. My philosophy is always use a respirator.
But with all the danger, the upside to these products is immeasurable. You can spray it undiluted on a
limestone floor that is severely stained let it sit for twenty minutes, scrub with a brush, rinse and vacuum, and it will look brand new. It might be the best cleaner for
limestone, travertine, and flagstone that we've ever used. In some cases it out performs our high pressure truck mounts.
Regarding the purple stain. I've never had one. I think he might be referring to the purple color of the Alpha Rust Remover.
I guess if the surfaces are not neutralized enough the could be some adverse side effects but we have not experienced them yet. We have more then ten thousand pictures of different projects, if I can find an in progress picture and before and afters I will post them.
Regarding the Hydrogen Peroxide - It is a very strong oxidizer. We use it first on almost every stain to see if it will remove it. It's cheap, safe, and it does not etch. We use a special
polishing powder that sometimes has a adverse effect on the
grout lines turning them orange or red in a few spots on a floor. Simply soaking with Hydrogen Peroxide brings back the
grout color with little effort.
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 | | Marble | MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS
This standard includes general information on the characteristics
and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems
associated with the material.
INTRODUCTION
Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite
(CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of
limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic
processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone
with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite
porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high
polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and
sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially
polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects
of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed,
is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is
readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the
actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the
acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds
react differently with marble and produce various by-products,
which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability
of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine
the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration.
Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the
other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid
attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the
brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red,
yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition.
TYPICAL USES
Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for
outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture
it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative
features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is
used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of
exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the
feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not
the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage
to which marble is susceptible. | |  |
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Linear Mode
