FAQ - Where can we get sulfuric acid?

Sulfuric acid is usually available inexpensive.

• The most obvious source is certainly battery acid from the local market for car accessories, sometimes from hardware stores. Ask your car repair shop - sometimes they use sulfuric acid for filling in car batteries.
• Often, specialised stores for car repair companies (in Germany: Temot, Asemissen, ATU, etc.) sell larger containers of sulfuric acid from stock. Price: about €40.00 for 35 kg of sulfuric acid 38%.
• A third possibility is going to the pharmacy. But generally you will have to pay some more there.
• For larger quantities you should also consult chemical distributors. There you usually get the best value for money combined with a large selection of available concentrations. However, many of these dealers supply only commercial customers.

Remember: You need about 12-19% sulfuric acid concentration. Battery acid concentration is 38%, so you can mix it 1:2 to 1:1 with distilled water to stretch and therefore you require correspondingly less sulfuric acid!

And again the warning:

Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause serious eye injuries. Use gloves, protection googles and old clothes when handling it! It is also advantageous if you place a bucket of tap water and a sponge near of you when working with acid to wash affected areas of the body immediately in case of emergency.
Remember also that sulfuric acid warms massively on when mixed with water. So stir the acid slowly in cold water, never vice versa!