Rusty Tire Chains Restore

[wh5208speed 645]

While picking up a Wheel Horse last week, the seller asked if I wanted a set of tire chains. They looked very rusty, like that had sat in water for a long period. My son has a 418-A that he restored this summer and a new snowblower and I knew he was looking for a set, so I says “yes”.

 

After doing some online research, I found someone who put their chains in vinegar for a week and it looked like it turned out pretty decent. 
 

So, I let these chains sit in the vinegar for about 5 days, as we have a snowstorm coming tomorrow and wanted to get them ready to put on my son’s tractor. It was interesting watching all of the bumbling as the vinegar reacted with the rust. After a few days the vinegar formed a very thick top crust. 

After power washing the vinegar & rust residue off, they turned out really good. I think if we could have waited a few more days it would have been perfect. Might do the is with all my chains at the end of the season and oil them up with some fluid film before storage.

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by wh5208speed

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

35 minutes ago, wh5208speed said:

a very thick top crust

 

Looks nasty!  

 

Now the fun begins... getting them all untwisted !

 

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by Jeff-C175

[stevasaurus 22,711]

Actually, next time, just tie them with a rope to the bumper of your vehicle and drive down a gravel road.  Makes them like brand new in minutes.  

[ranger 1,748]

4 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Actually, next time, just tie them with a rope to the bumper of your vehicle and drive down a gravel road.  Makes them like brand new in minutes.  

Or put them in a cement mixer, (If you have one), with a couple of shovels full of gravel, and run whilst having a smoke, or a coffee! And judging by comments I’ve read regarding the potency, (Toxicity?), of “WheelHorse” brand whiskey, a couple of shots of this in the mix could result in a chrome like finish!🤔😅😂🤣.

Edited January 16, 2022 by ranger

[953 nut 55,116]

9 hours ago, wh5208speed said:

After power washing the vinegar & rust residue off, they turned out really good.

                     May want to give them a spray with WD-40 to prevent flash rusting.

[peter lena 8,588]

@wh5208speed no mystery there , regular salvation for ANYTHING I PICK UP . AEROSOL LUBRICATION SOAK DOWN , last set of used chains I picked up were hanging ,dripping oil on my lawn spikers , to feed that steel ! thing I really like about lubrication , is that the metal retains it , with a slick black finish . BTW , my 3 mower decks are upside down now , in their  winter oil soak down , no rust or rot . just my own experience , pete 

[pfrederi 17,681]

7.62mm surplus army ammo cans make great chain storage.  Lower eh chins in at end of season a blast of WD-40 and close it up airtight no rust...

[peter lena 8,588]

@pfrederi  have a few of those left , from back in the day,  a closed seal  can with aerosol lubricant as its atmosphere , is a good thing !  at work , the stock room hall area , was lined on both sides with , navel deck gun ammo cans , on fitted stadium type setting, for all the  typical , clamps , brackets , and related work needed pipe fittings, gaskets , etc, made getting any of that stuff a grab and go , without having to go to the counter , with paper work, great idea , that never went away , pete

[squonk 41,040]

13 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Actually, next time, just tie them with a rope to the bumper of your vehicle and drive down a gravel road.  Makes them like brand new in minutes.  

I had to take typing class in HS. Of course all the girls got to use the electrics and us boys had to use these old beat up manual machines that weighted as much as a VW Beetle. During the summer the school had a surplus auction and some of these were in it. A couple of guys and myself each bought one for a buck with the thought of just destroying them. I tied mine behind my 61 Falcon and up and down a dirt road I went!