WOW! Those are some nice results. Thanks for posting the Starrett Rule photo! I just found a square/protractor set that has some rusting and I was wondering how to proceed with cleaning it up. Guess I'll be getting some of the Evaporust and one of those containers you recommended. What did you use to clean/degrease it?
Mike A.
Thank you Mike,
I use various ones but to be honest Simple Green purple "Lavender" Scent All-Purpose Cleaner in 1 gal. (@HomeDepot) does an amazing job and much better than a lot of expensive degreasers. I also use Simple Green Extreme Aviation degreaser/cleaner for Aluminum items, it works very well.
Note: I don't at all like the orig. Green version at all, I totally avoid it. The lavender version seems to be very different and to me performs much better.
And "Oil Eater", not the best but its earth safe, non toxic and cheap and it works. Its what I used for items in the pics. Your milage will vary. Easy to find locally. I used the strong ZEP industrial and don't like it, too toxic, leaves a film and not greatest results compared to the above.
The best way to degrease is to use a UltraSonic cleaner with a heater, I have a 6L size, same size as my Evaporust polycarbonate bin. I cant believe I have gone so long without one and will now always have one. HEAT is your friend.
I don't want to get too off topic for this thread (which I already have) but rulers are the toughest, its very hit and miss. A lot will depend on type of oxidation and damaged it has caused and how the ruler was made. The one in pic came out better than typical. You never know till after you try.
One big problem with rust and rulers is that the measuring marks on blades are deeply etched into the metal, rust also etches/pits that damages the ruler in the same way. After the Evaporust removes all the imbedded rust what is left are holes and marks that the rust created, intersecting with the etched measuring marks making it harder to read. The second issue is that a good ruler has a very good contrasting finish that makes the numbers and marks easier to read. A lot of the time that contrast goes away after bathing it and once cleaned you're left with a uniform finish and tends to be one shiny blade with lots of pits/etches and hard to read. I try minimize bath time with rulers and try to remove as much crud and rust before 1st the bath and in between short baths. You don't want to over do it.
I'll be honest, most of the time I junk the blades whenever possible and get new zero glare hardened 12" PEC blade ($20 @ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Blem-Cosmetic-Second-PEC-12-4R-Combination-Square-Blade-fits-Starrett-Mitutoyo/131321206804?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1e935a9814:g:1IEAAOSwBLlVITUp&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACYBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkBUIiHwYv5YgVss0WaiENz2HrmhZQqNG8SYa8c3GgcgBO2YTpkyQ3x0lXAzpUvaYRO9Ku3N6IBHrAXTKZGEwdZAS6rwhJ4jLKUbht2M6m01uBcTffKAyN%252FnAZ06XsDxxSmnVnj4pPsO37KPhPWPN9ArOWQOusMXPTAnRtTUk%252BbvyBY4a0G47BTN98%252F%252B%252FHtpOAYV6ZB%252F3P0%252BkVXwsWbqdzV8Fp4zxOyhkrvHDYRVW2rwEcgxUMDGL45XUvQYYolvxDiPv1JV7Ht%252BEXocUq0LE%252F50xNBEbhOyJ8Hxj2DSOgnshwpHv%252FjAHN5bM4DgQiI6YW5CrZS9rJ8ohgKi0Dfhh9zWMDCRlqmrbpkkoXq7y%252BfXfYIR%252FtX16tHkyCLmUL1Oedna3nDzWKbMo9tCnJNQIcZ9TkazkClp2XyMZLiy1%252F14JDd3XlkK52s7oSNW7iUQ9O3ZJE9gealrN6lTP1UVxYFQuoHxMzAxW0gaK8EGh7F%252BuviPD4I6Kn4UX1tyvfoyJ6Cj9fT%252BvjyvSuoaVZ23m3fErr1cRTnLlGGzHB3ArxIb5rtooXuAgT4kv6zYI9h7Yva2r%252FZDO4C5PHyBgANmwp1xeokbK2bSlcq%252FNitW6Tt07jp5VgC5aY5cQxDGMYZccYTT1nM5UzohRIbgNCURBwb3pBscXbrYl3MSUJseALjxukj2D05P3obosaransqXMzaIofRIHoLMvwc32otWaNqfuvfRSCxagoBpV%252BRPf1SoWBri0O69vdWgG8Mm0gnYZ2%7Ccksum%3A131321206804a86f7f9f30944fde96c0db43a3cf9e35%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524) for the combination pieces that are just as good as new $$$ Starretts and what Mitutoyo now uses (USA made ones are PEC). Wont be as collectible but waaaay more usable, accurate and much easier to read correctly.
I’ve had friends use Evapo-Rust like it was phosphoric acid-based Naval Jelly, brushing it on a surface and expecting it to work. That’s not how to do it, of course, but it can be inferred by some of the small container sizes. Gallon (or more) is the way to go. The piece needs to be fully immersed.
If the finish is an oxide finish — like some old black oxide/Parkerized finishes — do NOT use Evapo-Rust. It’ll strip the oxide back to bare metal, ‘cause it doesn’t know the difference between that finish and corrosion.
Yes, warmer temperatures definitely speed up the reaction with rust. It’s quite dramatic. A general rule of thumb in chemistry is that a 10°C increase in temperature will double a reaction rate. Evapo-Rust is at least that, and probably more.
macgee, those are great examples of what Evapo-Rust can do. And your polycarbonate collander tray is a terrific idea.
Good info on the oxide finishes and yes, get a gallon or two not have to worry about having enough, makes life easier and you can do so many things in the shop with that much. It's been making a lot more sense.
I'm now noticing massive improvements when using a heated ultrasonic cleaner that goes up to 80°C, I usually use 50C. When I pull the hot degreased item out of the cleaner, rinse with fresh water, it dries in seconds and then immerse the hot item into Evaporust. I sometimes can get away with just 1hr or less of evaporust bathing with really good results, instead of three-six hrs.
Full immersion is very key and even how you position the item in the bath. You will get a bad etched black line on the item at the water level if part of it is sticking out.
I've been really happy with the polycarbonate bin and airtight pressed in lid, I think I've ben using this same batch of Evapor in the bin since February and still going strong after a lot of use. Mind you I now immerse very warm items in the bath so that could be why I'm still getting good results and I'm vigilantly keeping the evaporust sealed and not exposed to air which does really seems to weaken it very quickly. I haven't been cleaning/filtering my Evapor, the crud settles below the colander floor so not as big as an issue but I should be filtering out but I use a full gallon and thats a lot to filter..
Anyways, please report any new good deals on Evaporust since thats what this thread is about.
I don't use emery cloth, wet sand or buffing on the items you see above although I do for different situations.
