Best way to remove rust from tools?

[mikecorrell]

I have this monster of a wooden box I unearthed from a storage closet in my garage. Inside are some really nice (mostly Snap-On) vintage tools to add to my collection of my grandfather’s. I suppose these were his “to-go” tools for jobs outside the garage. Unfortunately, the roof used to leak on this garage for years until we put a new roof on it, and a lot of good stuff got ruined. All these tools have a nasty rust on them.

I’d like to know what’s the best way I can remove most of the rust off these tools. I was thinking maybe some kind of vat to dump them in to soak, but I’m not sure what to use. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wamsutta]

A chemical bath with an electric current running through it. I've never done it but the results are spectacular. A lot of YouTube videos on it.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Buy a few gallons of Evaporust and use that with a plastic tub to let the tools soak in it. The effort it will take you to use an electrolysis bath Wamsutta is referring to will take forever in comparison.

 

[Robby321]

White vinegar works too. Let it soak and sit 24 hours at least...

 

[mr.lemons]

Recently watched a youtube vid where a guy compares vinegar to kurust etc. Vinegar works well enough. I've been told to add a bit of salt too but not sure it makes much difference. Used salt/vinegar recently on some old Bahco adjustables and it worked very well.

 

[1320]

I've had excellent results with Evaporust.

 

[rsanter]

EvPorust

 

[tym]

White vinegar works too. Let it soak and sit 24 hours at least...

Just beware if the tools are chromed. If the chrome is starting to flake, the vinegar soak could make it worse.

 

[Fialaja]

Take rusty tools to appropriate home center and trade in for shiny new tools! LOL

 

[mikecorrell]

Take rusty tools to appropriate home center and trade in for shiny new tools! LOL

Lol no way! They don’t make them like they used to

 

[tym]

Lol no way! They don’t make them like they used to

Seconded.

They say you can't polish turds, but some of those el cheapo toolmakers seem to have discovered how...

 

[DavidB]

Evaporust is the easiest method to use for numerous small items. Acids such as vinegar can work too. Just keep an eye on them as acids eat metal. Electrolysis works well but isn't the best for this since each item would have to be electrically connected and have a clear view of the sacrificial steel.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I have this monster of a wooden box I unearthed from a storage closet in my garage. Inside are some really nice (mostly Snap-On) vintage tools to add to my collection of my grandfather’s. I suppose these were his “to-go” tools for jobs outside the garage. Unfortunately, the roof used to leak on this garage for years until we put a new roof on it, and a lot of good stuff got ruined. All these tools have a nasty rust on them.

I’d like to know what’s the best way I can remove most of the rust off these tools. I was thinking maybe some kind of vat to dump them in to soak, but I’m not sure what to use. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

This is why you should buy Chinesium tools, chrome plated pot metal does not rust.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

Has anyone here tried the evaporust rust prevention spray? I saw it a couple weeks ago at the store.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I have cut the side out of a coolant bottle to soak stuff

 

[VocaTexas]

I've been using Evaporust on some tools the last couple of days and the results have amazed me. I'd give it a try on those.

As said above, white vinegar works pretty well, but I wouldn't use it on anything that had chrome on it. It will turn the steel black when it removes the rust and it will cause flaking chrome to turn loose.

 

[MTNSleder]

 

[engineer2]

Don't use vinegar on carbon steel. I had a cake spatula dissolve.

 

[Itsjustdirt]

Evaporust is great for removing rust. It will also kill the dark black/grey finish that many tools come in. Knipex pliers for example- that black finish is essentially a form of rust and will be removed by the Evaporust. Its still the best stuff Ive fount for rust removal, just be aware that many of your tools wont look the same again. Vinegar was even worse at discoloring tools but was also great at cheap rust removal.

Keeping the tools rust free after an evaporust bath is frustrating though. It seems like tools are always much more prone to rusting after seeing evaporust. Maybe I'm crazy.

 

[Theyeti83]

Vinegar. Soak em in vinegar. Hit em with steel wool after a day in the vinegar. Repeat if needed

 

[anetode]

Keeping the tools rust free after an evaporust bath is frustrating though. It seems like tools are always much more prone to rusting after seeing evaporust. Maybe I'm crazy.

In case you're not already doing so, make sure to run some water over the tools after the Evaporust soak, then wipe them down well and add a thin coat of oil. Leftover Evaporust may actually accelerate rust, oddly enough

 

[MayerMR]

Evapo-rust and be done with it. Don't use vinegar - it has it's place for rust removal, but it will etch metal as it's an acid and they will rust easily again forever after. Lots more maintenance.

Evapo-rust employs chelation and will not hard anything other than oxidized ferrous metals. It's good stuff.

 

[Fbmoose48]

You're not crazy. That layer of iron oxides it removes protects the tool from further oxidation. Evaporust or any other reducing agent makes tools prones to flash rusting if not surface treated.

 

[RocketScott]

I have a tumbler with stainless pins for cleaning brass before reloading. It also works wonders on small parts like those.


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[tym]

Regarding surface treatment after de-rusting, a couple of thin coats of BLO works a treat.

 

[bpjr]

I have a tumbler with stainless pins for cleaning brass before reloading. It also works wonders on small parts like those.


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Ditto on that...A large vibratory tumbler with corn cob media makes badly rusted tools look new. No chemicals needed.

 

[BFBOB]

Not a fan of Evaporust, but it would be a good way to start, with a bucket full of rusty wrenches. You'd get some results with almost no effort. If they're good enough after a day or two, you're done! If not, switch to electrolysis. Rigging that many tools in the e-tank will be a pain, but the results are by far the best I've been able to do.
No matter what method you use, get them DRY immediately after rinsing. Best way I've found is a blowgun. Much quicker and better than a heat gun or hair dryer. I 've had parts start to rust again while trying to get them dry! Follow up with a thin coat of WD-40.

 

[6PTsocket]

Buy a few gallons of Evaporust and use that with a plastic tub to let the tools soak in it. The effort it will take you to use an electrolysis bath Wamsutta is referring to will take forever in comparison.

Evaporust here too. It is water based so keep the soak container covered or you will loose a lot of it from evaporation. It can be reused so the initial expense is not that bad. It can be safely dumped down the drain and easier to handle than acid based rust removers. It also only removes rust, unlike acid removers like phosphoric that can etch "good" metal. HF stocks quarts and TSC has gallons.

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