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Here I've mixed up a solution of hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) and water. Mix it no weaker than 16 ounces to 2 gallons of water for best results. I'd advise you to make sure and have some thick rubber gloves handy. This dissolves/removes trace iron still found in small amounts in the plates. Do I have to tell you not to get this on your skin? Don't use those thin latex gloves, they tear too easily. After all, this isn't a prostate exam. Use the thick rubber gloves like you see me using here. If you do get some of this solution on your skin, wash it off quickly and you won't have any problems. Swish the plates around in this some, then allow them to stay in this stuff over night. After they've been in this solution of hydrochloric acid overnight, pour off the hydrochloric acid solution. You can save this to be used again later if you can find some spare plastic bottles to pour this in to. Fill the bucket containing the plates with tap water and rinse. Make sure you use the rubber gloves and rinse the plates several times. Leave them in the water until time to assemble the cell if you like.

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