Restoring Buffalo's With White Vinegar

12M HCl(37%) is the highest practical concentration you will find, anything at the 40% level would be fuming HCl- truly nasty stuff. I would dilute it down to 5% and use that as your low starting point and incrementally move up from there based upon how comfortable you are with the speed of the etching. Anything over 20% would probably work too quickly and too harshly.

Remember- always add acid to water, never add water to acid!

It's basically called Monkey See, Monky Do. People seldom realize how many thousands or more people read things on the internet. Many are young and have little ideas of what is good and or bad. Many are not to well educated and when they see something on the internet, they think all is OK. The usage of Muriatic Acid, Acetone, Lighter fluids, or many other products mentioned on the internet become something that someone will try without proper supervision and possibly loose their vision. Only seldom are the many safety precautions repeated.
This is why every time I see the mention of such items I recommend every one should first read as much as they can here or someplace on that subject. Using the Search tab is a start.
Why would anyone even think of using that stuff. Because someone here said so and many out there will.

well I had 4 buffs sit in 14.5% muriatic acid overnight, about 30 hrs or so, and I can see a bit more detail. going to have it go a few more days and see what happens.

yea, I will forgo the muriatic acid.

I would have to say your method is faster than the vinegar. I think you should leave it in for a bit longer. It might make the date pop better. Great results!

I have not noticed a weight change. The acid removes smallest amount of nickel. I don't think you would see much change compared to a non treated heavily worn buff.

You can tell the coin looks for lack of a better word... flat... ? The luster and age appears to go away and the coin is kinda a dull flat colored nickel.. that being said I did my first dateless and came up with a 1913!... I will be doing this again on my roll hunted buffalos

yea, I might leave them in a bit longer. I am still waiting on some nicadate I ordered.

anyone know if you can dilute nic-a-date so you can use more of it? just takes longer?