Rust removal

[Pioneer]

In the past I was using muriatic acid to remove rust from mufflers etc, but the fumes made this an outside work proposition only. Last night I tried something different on some drill screwdriver bits, I mixed up some salt, vinegar, and some hydrogen peroxide. I put it in a pudding cup and within the first minute I could actually see some of the rust starting to fall off. I came back half an hour later and this was the result, 90% removal. The solution was room temperature, no doubt warming it would accelerate the process. A light scrub with cleanser removed the black coating and left bare metal.
A working rust removal option that won't curl your nose hairs.

 

[atpchas]

Curiously, a Google search for "salt, vinegar, and some hydrogen peroxide" finds lots of articles about creating rust, e.g.
https://ctsciencecenter.org/blog/science-at-play-instant-rust/

 

[Seachaser]

I’ve used vinegar in the past. Rinse and Oil well afterwards because of flash rusting.

 

[J D]

What kind of ratios did you mix them in?

 

[heimannm]

I used the commercial "Evaporust" on a chain recently, it worked extremely well.

The bar was mechanically cleaned with the Harbor Freight surface preparation tool.

I cannot find a "before" photo but the chain would hardly bend enough to get it into the tub with the solution.



After the Evaporust I give it a quick scrub in the parts washer tank with a stainless steel wire brush as the rust turns very black while in the solution.

Mark

 

[HumBurner]

I use salt on cast-iron if rusted. Dry salt works best, but that may not apply outside of cast-iron.

Cool trick, Pioneer!

 

[snobdds]

I have used just plain vinegar in the past, but it takes awhile. I haven't tried it with the addition of salt and HP.

I too have used evaprorust. It works good,

I then try and put a layer of johnson's paste wax on to prevent the rust from coming back.

 

[Mad Professor]

Has anyone tried electrolysis? All you need is a trickle charger, a plastic bin, and electrolyte/salt.

Be careful of sparks, hydrogen gas goes boom!

 

[Pioneer]

The ratio I use was 1-1 hydrogen peroxide to vinegar, with a small amount of salt, in this case several from a shaker. Haven't played with ratios yet to find the ideal mix. Diluting it with water would slow it down but may be necessary for large jobs.

 

[Jasonrkba]

I've used electrolysis many times and it works great I even have a thread on here from a few years ago.

 

[Jasonrkba]

Reverse the polarity using a piece of nickel and it will electroplate.

 

[Mad Professor]

Reverse the polarity using a piece of nickel and it will electroplate.

Put down copper first, before the nickel.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Has anyone tried electrolysis? All you need is a trickle charger, a plastic bin, and electrolyte/salt.

Be careful of sparks, hydrogen gas goes boom!

My favorite for rust removal
Requires zero effort, if its not done in a day leave it for another.
All my cast iron Griswald pans have come from rusty cast offs to everyday use after a trip through the etank. Same with old chains. I bought one for a Mercury Distton that was difficult to get into a box for transport.Now its in a nice compact loop waiting for the saw to be reborn.
So far i have just using it outside in the summer

 

[Hman1024]

Has anyone tried electrolysis? All you need is a trickle charger, a plastic bin, and electrolyte/salt.

Be careful of sparks, hydrogen gas goes boom!

I have tried it on abused cast iron, works great for those extreme cases.

 

[diver64]

Has anyone tried electrolysis? All you need is a trickle charger, a plastic bin, and electrolyte/salt.

Be careful of sparks, hydrogen gas goes boom!

I've used it on a number of cast iron skillets and pots rescued from yard sales. Works like a charm. All you need is a tub, some salt, a trickle charger and an iron spike or 16 penny nail.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Best is sodium carbonate a tablespoon per gallon of water
I use strips of stainless steel for the sacrificial metal on the bottom and 4 sides of the barrel i was using
Pulled the front off a fridge at the dump and cut it into strips

 

[Hman1024]

Best is sodium carbonate a tablespoon per gallon of water
I use strips of stainless steel for the sacrificial metal on the bottom and 4 sides of the barrel i was using
Pulled the front off a fridge at the dump and cut it into strips

I have used too far gone mower blades for the sacrificial metal, worked well.