I think he is referring to hydrofluoridric acid.what acid can you use and what strength or concentration? acetic acid or hydrochloric?
A guy from an optical company told me it was used to remove AR coating from lenses untill maybe 20 years ago, but it's now forbidden (here at least, in less developped countries maybe you can still do it).
Be really carefull, though, this acid eats calcium, so basically is you put a drop on your skin it can dig all the way thought the bones. It's very dangerous, and therefore restricted in most countries.