Evapo Rust on Binder/Tie-Down Chain

[thr3squared]

After reading about lots of good results with evapo rust both here and elsewhere online I decided to give it a try on some old binder chains I had.

Before



After 2.5hrs


I’m really impressed, so I’ll let them soak for a few days.

My question- after rinsing the chemicals off with water and drying, is there anything I should put on the chains to help them not rust so quickly? I don’t need to keep them pretty so if it’s more trouble than it’s worth, no big deal either.

Also, in terms of it being “reusable” how long (or how many uses) are you guys finding it lasts?

Cheers!


Sent from the depths of the sea

 

[Bent Handle]

I suppose you could throw them in a bucket and shoot them with a penetrating oil to stop the surface rust while they sit around. I guess I’ve never worried about surface rust on chains.

 

[bwringer]

Yes, you'll need some sort of oil or wax to keep the chains from rusting again.


Evapo-Rust can only hold a certain amount of rust. When it turns black, it's finished. In that last pic, yours looks like it has passed this point.

It's nontoxic, so you can put it on your flowerbeds if you happen to have iron-poor soil, or just dump it down the toilet.

The stuff works great, but it is expensive.

 

[mikec35]

Yes, you'll need some sort of oil or wax to keep the chains from rusting again.


Evapo-Rust can only hold a certain amount of rust. When it turns black, it's finished. In that last pic, yours looks like it has passed this point.

It's nontoxic, so you can put it on your flowerbeds if you happen to have iron-poor soil, or just dump it down the toilet.

The stuff works great, but it is expensive.

Yep, I learned the hard way that things like long, rusty chains will quickly use up Evaporust. At $17 a gallon you have to wonder if it's worth it. You need some Ospho or Evaporust metal treatment or oil as suggested but you are only buying yourself a little time, the chains will rust again.

 

[thr3squared]

Yes, you'll need some sort of oil or wax to keep the chains from rusting again.

Any particular product you would recommend?

Evapo-Rust can only hold a certain amount of rust. When it turns black, it's finished. In that last pic, yours looks like it has passed this point.

Ok, thats good to know!

It's nontoxic, so you can put it on your flowerbeds if you happen to have iron-poor soil, or just dump it down the toilet.

The stuff works great, but it is expensive.

 

[thr3squared]

Yep, I learned the hard way that things like long, rusty chains will quickly use up Evaporust. At $17 a gallon you have to wonder if it's worth it. You need some Ospho or Evaporust metal treatment or oil as suggested but you are only buying yourself a little time, the chains will rust again.

As soon as I started pouring it into the bucket I figured it would go fast. That's ok though, its doing its job

I just looked up Ospho, that stuff isn't cheap either

 

[blair683]

Abom79 uses evaporust all of the time on his YouTube channel. Makes old tools look new again. He sprays the items with CRC corrosion inhibitor afterwards.

 

[Shiftless]

I use Evaporust too. In my experience, just because it turns black doesn’t mean that it is used up. As you know it works by chemical reaction; it turns iron oxide (rust) into carbon. You’ll know when it’s used up when it doesn’t work anymore. I keep used Evaporust in old gallon jugs clearly labeled used Evaporust. Just pour it back in through a funnel and a fine screen.

The loose carbon particles can be washed off pretty easily. On small parts, I use running water and a brass brush. For a chain I would use a pressure washer. But you’ll get flash rust in minutes. I dry vise parts or vintage wrenches with a heat gun and then apply boiled linseed oil.
I have also had good results with Fluid Film.

 

[PacificaVette]

I have been using "Corrosion-X" on tools and iron-containing items that I don't want to rust. It contains paraffin, so it works for an impressively long time.

 

[thr3squared]

Abom79 uses evaporust all of the time on his YouTube channel. Makes old tools look new again. He sprays the items with CRC corrosion inhibitor afterwards.

at $13 for a can, I'd say the stuff from CRC is worth a try. And it would be easy to apply.

 

[thr3squared]

I use Evaporust too. In my experience, just because it turns black doesn’t mean that it is used up. As you know it works by chemical reaction; it turns iron oxide (rust) into carbon. You’ll know when it’s used up when it doesn’t work anymore. I keep used Evaporust in old gallon jugs clearly labeled used Evaporust. Just pour it back in through a funnel and a fine screen.

The loose carbon particles can be washed off pretty easily. On small parts, I use running water and a brass brush. For a chain I would use a pressure washer. But you’ll get flash rust in minutes. I dry vise parts or vintage wrenches with a heat gun and then apply boiled linseed oil.
I have also had good results with Fluid Film.

I was going to save it using this exact method (old jug and strain it) regardless just to give it a try later on for other projects....worst case it doesn't work.

So as I understand when ready I should rinse the evapo rust off with water, completely dry, then apply something for anit-corrosion right away?

 

[thr3squared]

I have been using "Corrosion-X" on tools and iron-containing items that I don't want to rust. It contains paraffin, so it works for an impressively long time.

Does this leave an oily or tacky film? Not crucial, I'm just curious.

 

[Bretny]

Your useing 1/4in chain for binders? By the looks of some of the links that chain isnt going to last much longer.

 

[Shiftless]

I was going to save it using this exact method (old jug and strain it) regardless just to give it a try later on for other projects....worst case it doesn't work.

So as I understand when ready I should rinse the evapo rust off with water, completely dry, then apply something for anit-corrosion right away?

Yep!
Completely dry and protect bare surfaces immediately.
You can’t just pat something dry with a towel and expect it to be really dry.
I like to use an electric heat gun to boil off and blow off any traces of water in the pores of the metal. I have used a propane torch but remember that the flame contains water vapor. Get your workpiece hot enough to boil off any water or you’ll get rust.

A hot dry summer day would be a great time to do this work.

Speaking of temperatures, Evaporust doesn’t work very fast at all with temps below 60. Evan at 60, I leave parts in overnight. At 40 it won’t work. There is absolutely no risk of damage from soaking too long. That’s why I don’t use acid.

I have an old crock pot I use in the garage for warming liquids. (Never food)
You can often find old ones at thrift stores or even free after somebody breaks the glass lid. That’s how I got mine.

 

[thr3squared]

Your useing 1/4in chain for binders? By the looks of some of the links that chain isnt going to last much longer.

good catch! I am aware of their condition and will only use them for lighter duty tasks. I'm not using them to secure heavy equipment.

 

[thr3squared]

Yep!
Completely dry and protect bare surfaces immediately.
You can’t just pat something dry with a towel and expect it to be really dry.
I like to use an electric heat gun to boil off and blow off any traces of water in the pores of the metal. I have used a propane torch but remember that the flame contains water vapor. Get your workpiece hot enough to boil off any water or you’ll get rust.

A hot dry summer day would be a great time to do this work.

Speaking of temperatures, Evaporust doesn’t work very fast at all with temps below 60. Evan at 60, I leave parts in overnight. At 40 it won’t work. There is absolutely no risk of damage from soaking too long. That’s why I don’t use acid.

I have an old crock pot I use in the garage for warming liquids. (Never food)
You can often find old ones at thrift stores or even free after somebody breaks the glass lid. That’s how I got mine.

great info, thank you!

 

[isb cornbinder]

I use EVAPORUST in my 30 liter ultrasonic parts cleaner. The ultrasonic action speeds up the derust action by a hundred times. If you are going to use Evaporust on a flat surface, like a saw table, soak shop towels in Evaporust and leave them on the surfaces.
You will know when the Evaporust need changing, it slows and stops working.
This product works better than advertised by the manufacturer.
Metal protection. https://www.wikihow.com/Blue-Steel

 

[Shiftless]

“... my 30 liter ultrasonic parts cleaner “

Yes, the ultrasonic cleaners that I have used all warmed the solution while in use. Some models have integral heaters as well.

I’m a big fan of Evaporust.
Santa brought me a 5 gallon bucket last Christmas.

 

[rburke65]

Just spray the cleaned n treated chain with some light oil.

 

[thr3squared]

I’m a big fan of Evaporust.
Santa brought me a 5 gallon bucket last Christmas.

Lucky!

 

[Stuart in MN]

If they were mine I'd just wipe them down with a rag and any old oil I have on hand.

 

[trbomax]

For things like chain and binders,used nuts/bolts,there is a cheap, easy way to clean rust off.Obviously,if I had my electrolytic de ruster working,I would use that, but I dont so the next best thing is the old soak/ rinse method Ive been useing for years on used fasteners. First step is to degrease everything.Put the chain/binders,fasteners in a 5 gal plastic bucket.Fill the bucket with purple power so as to cover the stuff.Soak it for a few hours, then pull it out slowly and rinse well with a hose and hot water, cold if thats all u got.Its important to get ALL the chemical residue rinsed off because we are using materials with oppisite ph values and if the parts are not neutral u will be wasting solution.Now get another CLEAN bucket and put all the parts in it.Keep everything 4 - 5 in down from the top.Now obtain some Muratic acid in the strongest concentration u can find,and some long, heavy acid proof gloves.A commercial janitorial supply will be your best source.MAKE CERTAIN THERE IS NO WATER IN THE BUCKET OR ON THE PARTS<SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT DOING THE NEXT STEP IF ANY WATER IS PRESENT!WEARING LONG PANTS<LEATHER BOOTS, THE GLOVES AND A FULL FACE SHIELD OVER GOGGLES,Pour the muriatic down the edge of the bucket slowly. It may ubble and foam, but take your time and cover everything with acid. Cover the bucket and let it soak.Ina few hours, bend up some welding rods Ito "S" hooks.Wearing your protective safety gear, start pulling the chains out, observe if the rust is gone.If so, slowly drag the parts out and give them a good rinse, blowing any black residue off.They will flash rust if u dont quickly put them in another 5 gal bucket that is 2/3 full of water mixed with 1/2 cup of dawn detergent.Dunk and slosh them around ,then pull them out to dry. Now u can oil or whatever to keep them from rusting again.Myself, I get all my leftover rustoleum oil base enamel, dump it in another 5 gal bucket, thin it about 10% with the recommended reducer, and slosh the parts around in it,remove them slowly and lay them out on some large cardboard sheets to dry.If u choose to paint the parts instead of oiling them, squirt the soap solution off the parts and dry the first. Enjoy!

 

[trbomax]

Apparently there is a limit to the amount of text in one post.I can bring the rest of the post up with the "edit" function, but it wont show in the post.Whats up?

 

[ATC]

If they were mine I'd just wipe them down with a rag and any old oil I have on hand.

I drag old ones behind my truck on a gravel road. Cleans 'em up pretty good.

Other than that...nothing. No protecting oils (they just get on your hands), and no special treatment. Well...other than not letting them live out in the elements when not in use.

A new 5400# G43 3/8 chain is $20 at HF. $30 for a 5/16 G70. Putting a lot of money into rust removal is not worth it to me.

 

[rburke65]

I don’t know how you’d prevent the rust....you may retard the formation, but......

 

[metalmagpie]

I don't spend much time on derusting chains. I made a little tumbler that takes 5 gallon buckets and I tumble them. I add a little water and a few shavings from a bar of soap, and they come out nice. Then I clean out the bucket and put in about a tablespoon of oil, and tumble again until they're thoroughly oiled.

metalmagpie

 

[thr3squared]

Here’s the finished product after soaking for 5 days.



I sprayed the chains with Fluid Film after drying.



Sent from the depths of the sea

 

[Kevin54]

I've never really care about pretty chains. The worst part of using them is getting rust on your hands. And some of the chains I have is older than I am. And if the chains hang for a few years before you use them, no matter how good looking you make them, they will rust again unless you keep up maintenance on them after every time you use them. Best bet....buy a pair of gloves, and wear an old shirt or jacket when you have to use them. And don't lay them on concrete or the rust will stain it.

 

[ratdoggy]

I've never really care about pretty chains. The worst part of using them is getting rust on your hands. And some of the chains I have is older than I am. And if the chains hang for a few years before you use them, no matter how good looking you make them, they will rust again unless you keep up maintenance on them after every time you use them. Best bet....buy a pair of gloves, and wear an old shirt or jacket when you have to use them. And don't lay them on concrete or the rust will stain it.

I just throw them in a bucket and blast them with WD40 every now and then

 

[crazylunker]

If you have neighbors you don't like and a cement mixer then just put the chains in the mixer with a small bucket of sand. Turn it on and go for a ride to get lunch. When you get home the chains will be clean. I have an uncle that used his mixer for derusting all the time.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Thanks for posting this. I don't think I'd bother de-rusting chain, but Evapo-Rust sounds alot more user friendly than the phosphoric acid I usually use.

Cool idea crazylunker. My cement mixer doesn't get enough use.

 

[thr3squared]

Thanks for posting this. I don't think I'd bother de-rusting chain, but Evapo-Rust sounds alot more user friendly than the phosphoric acid I usually use.

No problem! It was very easy to use, no nasty mess and its not a harsh chemical. The effort wasn't so much to make the chain "pretty again"....of course it will oxidize in time. But it gave me a great platform to test this stuff

 

[sam3]

Don't let everyone bust your balls too bad , the first time I used Evapo Rust I went around and found everything rusty I could put in it I was so amazed , Including some rusty *** log chains.