Cleaning old steel tools

[Dlarry]

I recently came across old rusty indrusto tools that I have started cleaning. I'm waiting because after scrubbing the rust I noticed the finished product appears to be a brass colored. I'm not sure if I am scrubbing too hard or if the is another factor. I used a pre-soak solution of and salt which soaked for 24 hours and then scrubbed the rust with a brass- bristle brush.

Does anyone know if i damaged the tool, or if there is a better way to clean the rest of the tools?

*the tools that I am curious about are the hammer and the large wrench.

 

[tym]

The softer brass is transferring to the tool, imparting the color.

I've used a vinegar soak overnight and judicious use of a stainless steel brush with small-diameter bristles.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Brass transfer was my guess also

 

[Dlarry]

Thanks guys! I just tried a stainless steel brush on another wrench with much better results.

As a follow up, any recommendations on removing the now brass colored wrench?

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Might try some evaporust next time, I am cleaning all of my rusty tools with it, works great!

 

[Mintgrun]

You could just leave it that way.
Eventually it will wear off.

After a lot of use, my electrolysis set up started depositing a thin copper layer onto the pieces I was taking the rust off of. It came from the wire I'd used to dangle the parts. I was upset at first and a little confused. The new solution does not do it.

I like coming across those copper tinted wrenches, when digging through my box : )

 

[Tomthumb717]

I second the above in regards to evaporust I use it on any smaller items or pieces with hard to reach areas. Let it soak for overnight or for a day and any rust will turn to a black film that can be easily removed.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought an ultrasonic parts 30 litre parts cleaner from DURASONIX in Langley, BC. Their brand is Durasonix. These parts cleaners work really well. I use a little Simple Green to make the water wetter. These cleaners have heaters.
This is my second parts cleaner from them. The last one was 6.5 litre and I sold it to a friend.
Your American dollar buys $1.38 in Canada. Durasonix ships.
I think salt may be a really bad idea. Salt destroys car bodies made of steel, so salt may contribute to rusting on your tools.

 

[Packard V8]

DURASONIX in Langley, BC

Can you post a valid link? A search down here isn't finding them.

jack vines

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Can you post a valid link? A search down here isn't finding them.

jack vines

not sure but at least this is the brand name he is talking about https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HBZ2KBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tym]

Can you post a valid link? A search down here isn't finding them.

jack vines

I believe it's this: http://durasonix.com/.

I wonder what the COO for the cleaners is, though.

 

[6PTsocket]

You could just leave it that way.
Eventually it will wear off.

After a lot of use, my electrolysis set up started depositing a thin copper layer onto the pieces I was taking the rust off of. It came from the wire I'd used to dangle the parts. I was upset at first and a little confused. The new solution does not do it.

I like coming across those copper tinted wrenches, when digging through my box : )

What would happen if you hung a piece of clean steel and reversed the electrodes. Wouldn't the brass plate off the wrench and onto the other piece? It worked for copper. Brass is copper and tin.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[woody 73]

I am somewhat confused what does the salt do in the overall process??? I also thought (key word) that any use of salt was a not good for any metal.

Does evaporust contain any salt?

http://www.evapo-rust.com/product-info/

 

[6PTsocket]

I am somewhat confused what does the salt do in the overall process??? I also thought (key word) that any use of salt was a not good for any metal.

Does evaporust contain any salt?

http://www.evapo-rust.com/product-info/

I believe the salt makes the electrolyte more conductive. I think it is salt plus air exposure thst does the damage. You want to rinse it off as soon as it comes out of the tank.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[crerus75]

You could just leave it that way.
Eventually it will wear off.

After a lot of use, my electrolysis set up started depositing a thin copper layer onto the pieces I was taking the rust off of. It came from the wire I'd used to dangle the parts. I was upset at first and a little confused. The new solution does not do it.

I like coming across those copper tinted wrenches, when digging through my box : )

I can tell you from experience that if you use a muriatic acid solution to clean enough copper fittings, it will eventually plate your vintage Williams DOE S-wrenches with a shiny layer of copper when all you REALLY wanted was to remove a couple decades of rust. It will also eat craters in a cheap zinc wrench that you thought was steel. Wish I had pics, but I don't even know where those wrenches are right now.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I believe it's this: http://durasonix.com/.

I wonder what the COO for the cleaners is, though.

China. Is the COO. Sadly the options were few, for me.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have had great success with cleaning old paint and dried grease with a product we call GUN WASH.
Gun Wash is the harsh solvent painters use to clean paint guns and other tools of that trade. I bought a big aluminum cooking pot and lid at a restaurant supply. I put about 20 litres of gun wash in the pot then a powder coated wheel. In about 8 hours the powder coat is soft enough to remove with a pressure washer. I would not recommend using a flammable solvent in an ultrasonic parts cleaner.