[Jman]

Some Hydrochloric acids at hardware around the 32% W/W mark have a different color. One I buy is a strong yellow/gold appearance & another brand is clear like water.

As far as I can tell they are both designed for similar things, Pool PH adjusters, brick cleaning etc. Personally I'm using it for Latex chlorination.

Just wanted to know why they are different?

thanks

[Arkcon]

Simply gross contamination.  I really don't know the nature, it could be anything: heavy metals, such as iron salts, or some rapidly oxidizing organic.  When I was a kid and playing with hardware store chemicals, they were always yellow, or even brown.  Then they started coming clear,like you've experienced.  I have to wonder:  better quality, or lower concentration?

[Jman]

Simply gross contamination.  I really don't know the nature, it could be anything: heavy metals, such as iron salts, or some rapidly oxidizing organic.  When I was a kid and playing with hardware store chemicals, they were always yellow, or even brown.  Then they started coming clear,like you've experienced.  I have to wonder:  better quality, or lower concentration?

I thought it might be a dye or something for safety reasons. I have had the yellow colored one for a few years & it's that same color & potent. The two brands are both around same concentration.