cleaning rust from tools, what do you do ?

[sscustom]

hi everybody so recently i discovered that normanl white vinigar is awsome for cleaning rust from tools i just dumped the tools from the $5 score in a batch on vingar they are cleaning up great the rust just flakes off , just give the a scratch with a wire brush

what do you guys use





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i will get more pics up when they are finished cleaning

 

[I can fix anything]

Evapo-rust

 

[Gregg33]

Evapo-Rust....remove heavy grease and grime, soak in Evapo-Rust for a few hours, remove tools and wash in water, put them back in the Evapo-Rust overnight, then remove them, wash in water, dry, oil and enjoy the tools.

 

[sscustom]

here my ajustable wrench its been soaking in vinigar for 2 hrs removes all of the rust from it just gave it a wipe down


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[sscustom]

here is wat it looking like couple hrs ago

 

[Techniker]

I assume that Evaporust cannot be used on ratchets or anything with rubber seals? (I have not looked it up, so I don't know what it is made of).

 

[sscustom]

I assume that Evaporust cannot be used on ratchets or anything with rubber seals? (I have not looked it up, so I don't know what it is made of).

yeah you better of using somthing else but im not sure wat its made out of duno even if you can get it in australia were i am, but white vinigar works great on screwdrivers ,wrenches ,sockets etc

 

[MrMark]

bar keeper's friend is a good product.

 

[sscustom]

bar keeper's friend is a good product.

never herd of that brand before

 

[MrMark]

we have it here in the US. It has oxicilic (sp?) acid in it. It really is a great product for general cleaning around the house, sinks, tile, etc, and it cleans rust well. I would put it on a bit of scotchbrite and gentle rub to get the rust.

I also have read that apple cider vinegar is a better for tools, but I don't remember why.

 

[diesel research]

"vibratory polisher"

 

[HandyManny]

000 Steel Wool and a little gun oil works wonders for that rust that bothers ya. Also I agree on the Bar Keepers Friend stuff too. I mostly used it to clean my sinks. It's an ultra fine micro abrasive and works well to remove surface staining on any hard surface, just keep it out of any mechanism of an adjustable tool. Vinegar works too to and extent. Caution about vinegar soaking of plain unfinished carbon steel - it will force a grayish/blackish patina, which isn't nessesarily a bad thing. Some just don't like the appearance of anything that's not white and shiney.

 

[willy3486]

I really like to tinker with tools that are rusted bad. I picked up some a while back that all the adjustable wrenches,visegrips,pliers were so rusted they could not be adjusted or move freely. I usually use electrolytic cleaning on the stuff. I use a lab type supply instead of a battery charger. I also restore old power tools and use this method on parts. I like it because you do not remove material but it causes the oxidation to release. One of the other member does a really nice job on using oil to treat them. I think his name is zrx61, he did some tools for Thomas who restored the old 30s shop. I think what people use depends a lot to what they have access to. I have the power supply so I use it but I don't have a torch so I can't do the oil treatment. If I had a torch I would follow up with the oil treatment.

 

[kc-steve]

I assume that Evaporust cannot be used on ratchets or anything with rubber seals? (I have not looked it up, so I don't know what it is made of).

Vinegar I think, with a touch of food coloring.

Erin go Bragh, bro!

 

[autobon7]

I have a set of Facom torx that are in hex key like plastic pack. They came coated black and some rust is showing through in spots. I'm thinking if I use any of the rust removers mentioned it may look like cra*. Any suggestions? Can't provide pics as I'm at work, gotta go before the boss catches me.

 

[kc-steve]

I have a set of Facom torx that are in hex key like plastic pack. They came coated black and some rust is showing through in spots. I'm thinking if I use any of the rust removers mentioned it may look like cra*. Any suggestions? Can't provide pics as I'm at work, gotta go before the boss catches me.

Yup, both vinegar and evapo-rust (same thing really) will remove the black-oxide coating on things like allen wrenches, impact sockets, etc. Vinegar doesn't have instructions on the container, but those instructions on the evapo-rust container cost BIG BUKS!

I have used 3-in-One oil and steel wool in some cases. I hope others have better solutions though because it IS a problem if you don't use rust preventative measures in the first place.

Erin go Bragh!

Steve

 

[PepperCrab]

I use electrolysis, but after I'm done, a few days later and it's rusted back up.

I think the problem isn't so much how to remove rust, but how to keep it away once you remove it?

 

[SledgeFix]

When I turn brake rotors and drums on the lathes here at work I use these with a quick-release ("roloc" 1/4-turn) 3M arbor in an angle grinder (I think HF also offers the arbor in a scotch-brite disc kit for surface prep) on the hubs to make sure I get them mounted nice and square. They shine up the cast iron without even taking off the original machining cut marks. I'd try the softer versions first if you were worried about marking softer metals but they make a tedious job cake for me.

They also last forever, probably about six months of hard use between changes for me. The price seems like a lot (maybe $6 per disc iirc? and ~4 per box) but you do get your money's worth out of it. I imagine they're made of UHMWPE, hence the price.

http://3mcollision.com/products/abrasives/bristle-discs

I am curious about dipping stuff in chemicals though, that'd be perfect for tools as it's generally stuff you aren't in a terrible hurry to get clean but would rather get every crevice. Anyone tried heating the solution up just a little in a covered container to get better results?

 

[Steve_P]

I use electrolysis, but after I'm done, a few days later and it's rusted back up.

I think the problem isn't so much how to remove rust, but how to keep it away once you remove it?

metal ready by POR 15; it eats rust out like evapo rust, but it also provides a protective coating unlike other rust removers.

 

[PepperCrab]

What about zinc cold-galvanising sprays? Spray them on after you derust your stuff. They're costly, but I don't know how well they work or how long they last.

 

[airdale]

Evaporust is definitely not vinegar. It has a chelating agent and sulfur compound. Basically it binds to the iron ions in the rust, then transfers them to a sulfur complex forming iron sulfate. Evaporust does however have about the same pH and color as urine.

 

[timtim2008]

someone once said you can use ATF (automatic ****** fluid) .. can u use used fluild? or only new?

 

[ibedayank]

someone once said you can use ATF (automatic ****** fluid) .. can u use used fluild? or only new?

Used will work its still ATF just with some **** added from the trans. And after all used atf is free...

 

[tooth]

im going to try rubbing some vinegar on some of my slightly rusty tools when i get to the shop tomorrow. yet another thing vinegar is good at.

 

[sprkt01]

I have had good luck blasting with soda at low pressure,won't damage chrome either

 

[PepperCrab]

Does soda remove rust? Also, if anyone tries ATF for rust removal, pls post back and let us know the results.

 

[spv]

How about phosphoric acid? That is what is usually in rust converter. I have used it successfully in the past. There is a specific part on Wikipedia covering it's rust converting properties: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid#Rust_removal