Rust Removal

[Rossymons]

Moving into my new workshop and in amongst the various piles of crap I'm finding various hammers, spinners, grips etc but all covered in rust and looking worse for ware.

I dont want to throw them away as I know full well the minute they're gone I'll need one!

What's the best way of getting rid of the rust so they're useable?

 

[mcd127]

Oxalic acid

 

[bigg6480]

Pardon our interruption...

rover.ebay.com

this work very well.

 

[Kevm]

Electrolysis is the cheap answer, a bucket, water, some washing powder and a battery charger and leave overnight.
Google it or look on youtube.

 

[bobk]

Milkstone remover

 

[milkloss]

Chuck them in a bucket of molasses

 

[dieselboost]

@bigg6480 How do you find that Exaporust? I have only ever used white vinegar up to now on rusty tools. Slow process but works reasonably well.

 

[bigg6480]

Find it very good works in 24 hours or 48 if there badly rusted. It’s not nasty to work with. I just wash it off and blow the tools dry with air then put duck oil on them. 5l dose a lot of tools.

@bigg6480 How do you find that Exaporust? I have only ever used white vinegar up to now on rusty tools. Slow process but works reasonably well.

 

[tomlad]

The evapo has a good name on a few utubers i subscribe to. Or at least i presume there sponsored.
Kieth , vintage machinery.org highly rates it . Usa .
Ive been tempted.

 

[Big Hoss]

Look up Project Farm on Youtube, the best channel I have found for all things workshop. He gives very comprehensive and unbiased reviews based on the tests he has done. But being based in the US, not all products are available over here.
I cobbled together an electrolysis tank last night, and it does do a good job at removing rust and paint from old tools, taking them back to bare metal with a little rub over with a wire brush.

 

[BeReyt]

Another vote Electrolysis, simple, cheap and works very well.
All you need is some sort of non conductive container to hold water, a battery charger, cheap washing powder, a piece of scrap to act as a 'sacrificial anode' or whatever it's called, some wire to attach to the bit you're cleaning and the bit you're sacrificing (the process will eat the steel, so don't use something you want to keep). YouTube it, that will give you a clearer picture, but there's no need to go to the efforts some tell you to go to, it only needs to be very basic.

 

[Big Hoss]

Another vote Electrolysis, simple, cheap and works very well.
All you need is some sort of non conductive container to hold water, a battery charger, cheap washing powder, a piece of scrap to act as a 'sacrificial anode' or whatever it's called, some wire to attach to the bit you're cleaning and the bit you're sacrificing (the process will eat the steel, so don't use something you want to keep). YouTube it, that will give you a clearer picture, but there's no need to go to the efforts some tell you to go to, it only needs to be very basic.

What washing powder are you using James? Does it necessarily need to be a high sodium carbonate content?

 

[Raumer]

I'm using Bilt Hamber Deox-C rust remover. Recommended by a friend who was Practical Classics (car) editor when they did back to back tests. Comes as either gel or granules. Using the granules mixed in water at the higher end of the concentration it works well. Has taken the rust off of spanners and pliers quite happily. Tend to leave them in for 24-48 hours. Cheaper than Evaporust and seems to be just as good.

 

[BeReyt]

What washing powder are you using James? Does it necessarily need to be a high sodium carbonate content?

What washing powder are you using James? Does it necessarily need to be a high sodium carbonate content?

It was Almat 2 in 1 from Aldi, but I don't think it worked as well as the cheaper cheap stuff. Yes, something with a high sodium content will work better.

 

[Paddington]

Phosphoric acid AKA Coke.

 

[tomlad]

Milk stone remover , is or was phosphoric acid, smells and looks like the expensive one ,is it jenolight ,i forget name . Pink liquid.

 

[deklerksarah1]

Electrolysis works the best for getting rid of rust.. [source:https://derustit.co.za/electroplating/]

 

[Netherfield]

Electrolysis works the best for getting rid of rust.. [source:https://derustit.co.za/electroplating/]

Great idea, send all your rusty tools to Cape Town.

 

[JeepJeep]

I'm using Bilt Hamber Deox-C rust remover. Recommended by a friend who was Practical Classics (car) editor when they did back to back tests. Comes as either gel or granules. Using the granules mixed in water at the higher end of the concentration it works well. Has taken the rust off of spanners and pliers quite happily. Tend to leave them in for 24-48 hours. Cheaper than Evaporust and seems to be just as good.

This..... Brilliant stuff. Use it with Calipers , soak them for a few days... come out looking a treat.

 

[ford 7810]

Chuck them in a cement mixer with a bit of sand and leave it running for an hour