Rust removal. Chemicals and electrolysis

[DennisThornton 4,769]

One of the best vids I've seen comparing and explaining rust removal.  Nothing new or earth shaking but a good summary of most of the methods I'm familiar with.  Absolutely Great for a beginner!

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,707]

Nicely done comparison

[tom2p 2,394]

recently learned something about EvapoRust :   it does not work well in low / cold temperatures 

 

had some rusted fasteners in a small container of EvapoRust in the cold garage - barely any rust was removed after 3 days 

 

moved the container to the basement - 2 days later the rust was removed 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

15 hours ago, DennisThornton said:

One of the best vids I've seen comparing and explaining rust removal.  Nothing new or earth shaking but a good summary of most of the methods I'm familiar with.  Absolutely Great for a beginner!

 

 

many that use the vinegar method use distilled vinegar with a couple of tablespoons of table salt 

 

the addition of salt might increase the effectiveness of the vinegar 

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Never tried salt with the vinegar.

[tom2p 2,394]

1 hour ago, DennisThornton said:

Never tried salt with the vinegar.

I believe the combo yields a mild form of hydrochloric acid  ?

 

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Google results are mixed but it would certainly be easy enough to try.

A warning to all, check often.  I ruined an antique "slick" (huge push chisel!).  The vinegar was more active on the high carbon cutting edge and dissolved most of it.  Overall it's a safe and slow process but watch precision and high carbon steels more often.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Should also note, it's not good to soak cast iron parts 

[rmaynard 15,519]

8 hours ago, DennisThornton said:

Never tried salt with the vinegar.

I use that combination to remove rust from cast iron frying pans.

[Charbs152 254]

I use an etank to restore vintage cast iron pans.  works awesome

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

Vinegar, isn't the best for me, i painted it on some wheels and the deep rust got less, but there was more surface rust. Couldn't was it of, so sanding was the only option. I am  gone drop off the rims to get sandblasted. 

 

Would it be worth getting a sandblast set-up?  

Edited December 22, 2020 by Maxwell-8

[ebinmaine 67,707]

8 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Vinegar, isn't the best for me, i painted it on some wheels and the deep rust got less, but there was more surface rust. Couldn't was it of, so sanding was the only option. I am  gone drop off the rims to get sandblasted. 

 

Would it be worth getting a sandblast set-up?  

 

Sandblasting cabinet is one of those tools that is a larger investment and very much worth it to you if you're going to be planning on doing multiple restorations and repairs over the next few years..

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Sandblasting cabinet is one of those tools that is a larger investment and very much worth it to you if you're going to be planning on doing multiple restorations and repairs over the next few years..

Do you have one? 

 

 

The thing is you have to remove ALL the rust, or you did all that effort for nothing. I feel you can only accomplish it with a sandblaster.

Edited December 22, 2020 by Maxwell-8

[ebinmaine 67,707]

4 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Do you have one? 

No sir I do not but I have a very unique home situation.

My other half, life partner, BBT, Trina is an extremely ambitious little woman who needs to be moving all the time and she has been doing much of the cleaning and rust removal for us.

 

 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

No sir I do not but I have a very unique home situation.

My other half, life partner, BBT, Trina is an extremely ambitious little woman who needs to be moving all the time and she has been doing much of the cleaning and rust removal for us.

 

 

You are a lucky men. She doing it with just sandpaper?

[ebinmaine 67,707]

1 hour ago, Maxwell-8 said:

You are a lucky men. She doing it with just sandpaper?

Most of what she does is wire brush on an auto body grinder. 

Sometimes a chemical spray, sometimes sandpaper...

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

On 12/22/2020 at 10:25 AM, ebinmaine said:

 

Sandblasting cabinet is one of those tools that is a larger investment and very much worth it to you if you're going to be planning on doing multiple restorations and repairs over the next few years..

Some small black pipe fittings plumbed to your air nozzle, some hose, a cabinet, and some sand!