Vinegar and rust

[BuddyC01]

Good Sunday,
As much fun as electrolysis is, my go to solution for de-rusting old tools has become vinegar. I use cleaning strength vinegar and I really like the process and the results. So, I'm wondering, is there a catch?
With all of the bubbling going on, are there any concerns with any unhealthy or dangerous fumes?

I think it's pretty cool how it leaves a bubbled image of the item being cleaned. This photo shows a tow chain w/hook

Cheers
BuddyC
IMG_20190324_101426 by William Clark, on Flickr

 

[AndrewV]

The fumes never bothered me. The smell always does lol.

 

[Notgrownup]

I am getting ready to de rust my wife’s Yamaha V Star Motorcycle tank with vinegar....says to neutralize it with baking soda water then dry really good with a Hair dryer or a heat gun...fill it up with gas ASAP.

 

[Bretny]

I saw many videos where vinegar didnt work. That and it can be pricy compaired to pool PH up.

I did the battery charger and pool ph up in a well neglected steel generator tank. Only left it for 24hrs but worked great. This thing use to only run 5min before clogging the suction screen.

 

[gatlibs]

I read that sole cider vinegar works better. I don't know about that, but I do know that it costs more. I didn't find it a good cost for a jeep's tank, but it'd be very cost effective for a motorcycle.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Aside from the terrible smell, I have found no down sides. I personally use white vinegar. The metal will flash rust easily once removed, so if I care about it I will hit it with some clear spray paint, or wipe it down with a light coat of oil.

 

[BuddyC01]

smell doesn't really bother me. I filter and reuse the vinegar several times. The cleaning vinegar is higher acid and not much different price. You can get a 2 pack of regular white vinegar at Sam's club

 

[lastgoodusername]

No down side that I know of. Cleaned everything from rusted bolts to train track with it. Works great.

 

[DFB]

I was surprised how good it does work, and for me the odor wasn't anything overwhelming in the garage while things were soaking. I cleaned up a lot of threaded fasteners a couple of winters ago that suffered from moisture during a long term storage. Still look good today and you can see how bad they were in the second photo.

Fresh water rinsing and then drying was hardest part

Only caveat I've experienced cleaning things up was on a deeply rusted wrench MAC wrench I got at flea mkt. After the heavy rust was dissolved away there was severe pitting in the now exposed metal and the rust over the years had created serious damage to the box end. Never would have thought it would ran that deep. Sad such tool abuse.

After it was all said and done I actually thought it almost looked better with all the rust on it

 

[Jazz1]

I had a vat of vinegar for a few years during a restoration. Some of the vinegar has higher acid content but I cheap so used Dollarama vinegar @$2 a gallon.
Works excellent but you have to neutralize anything as soon as its removed from vinegar or it start to oxidize. Baking soda and water to neutralize.

 

[seber]

I use cleaning vinegar and then hit it with light oil or Kroil. I generally prefer the black finish and don't want to destroy it with soda. The oil works fine and should be used anyway.

 

[BuddyC01]

Good stuff. THanks! What I've found works for me is to give it a cleaning with a brush and something like Dawn. Then I get it as hot as I can in a hot water rise, dry it off and paint it with something like WD-40. It evaporates pretty quick and leaves a protective film that lasts for a some time if kept dry. I like the look it leaves. There is a flea market near by that has vendors who treat all of the tools with BLO or something that makes them look very un-natural.

 

[uncwstudent]

I typically use white or apple cider vinegar (whichever I have on hand), but I prefer white. Then after letting it soak for anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, I use a wire brush to remove the rust or a wire wheel. Then I use a degreaser and scrub it all off with a soft bristled brush and apply a light coating of oil. Works like a charm!!

It's basically how I've built my tool chest. I buy oiled rusty tools and then clean them up, sometimes to almost like new condition, and end up using ridiculously high quality tools that I paid pennies on the dollar for. The other ones that I don't use or don't need anymore, I sell for far more than I paid for them. And then I have more money for more tools....haha

 

[fang123]

Good Sunday,
As much fun as electrolysis is, my go to solution for de-rusting old tools has become vinegar. I use cleaning strength vinegar and I really like the process and the results. So, I'm wondering, is there a catch?
With all of the bubbling going on, are there any concerns with any unhealthy or dangerous fumes?

I think it's pretty cool how it leaves a bubbled image of the item being cleaned. This photo shows a tow chain w/hook

Cheers
BuddyC
IMG_20190324_101426 by William Clark, on Flickr

I did a 1/4" chain in vinegar over the winter that was totally rusted. My hands were always full of rust after using it .Took it out of the vinegar and hit it with the pressure washer and blew the water off with the compressor. then into about a gallon of heating oil. Left it on some newspapers for a couple days and keep it in a bucket with a lid. It looks almost like a new chain now.

 

[6PTsocket]

Good Sunday,

As much fun as electrolysis is, my go to solution for de-rusting old tools has become vinegar. I use cleaning strength vinegar and I really like the process and the results. So, I'm wondering, is there a catch?

With all of the bubbling going on, are there any concerns with any unhealthy or dangerous fumes?



I think it's pretty cool how it leaves a bubbled image of the item being cleaned. This photo shows a tow chain w/hook



Cheers

BuddyC

IMG_20190324_101426 by William Clark, on Flickr

What is cleaning strength vinegar? The cheap supermarket white dustilled vinegar is 5% with a ph of 2.4 (the lower the number, rhe more acidic). The food vinegars go up to 7% but are far too expensive for derusting. Most commercial acid derusters, in gel or liquid form use phosphoric acid. You can get a gallon at the big box store.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[AA/FC]

I put a handful of rusty screws in a glass full of vinegar. I went back two days later..... not only was the rust gone but so was half the diameter of the screws. Lolol.

 

[ddawg16]

Vinegar is just a mild acid. Phosphoric acid works even better. Downside is pitting...but...it's going to be pitted anyway regardless how you remove the rust...

Vinegar is cheap....you buy it at the grocery store.

As some above have noted, it will flash rust real quick. After I clean something, unless I intend to paint it within an hour or two, I will coat it with transmission fluid. It's cheap and prevents rust. If I need to paint it, I wash it with soap and water...then soak in lacquer thinner or acetone...that will remove any remaining oils....then paint.

Or...after washing...I sandblast it.

 

[ddawg16]

I put a handful of rusty screws in a glass full of vinegar. I went back two days later..... not only was the rust gone but so was half the diameter of the screws. Lolol.

They must have been really thin screws.

Put you do bring up a good point....they were thinner because the rust was so bad. Even if you removed the rust with some other method...they would have been thinner

 

[mbshop]

I got some nice small single serving pans made of cast iron. I used vinegar to clean them. But I kept getting a black crud on the top. After days and days of cleaning I realized something was wrong.
So cleaned things up and yup, the vinegar was eating the cast iron big time. Figured out it was really cheap **** Chinese cast iron. So nope, not gonna use them as I have no idea what is actually is in that cast iron. No problems when cleaning lodge ci. On metal it works great and have given up on anything else.

 

[6PTsocket]

I put a handful of rusty screws in a glass full of vinegar. I went back two days later..... not only was the rust gone but so was half the diameter of the screws. Lolol.

That is the down side of acid rust removers. They don't know when to stop. Evaporust only reacts with the rust. Electrolysis stops when the rust is gone and all the gunk is on the other electrode. Vinegar is still my favorite for cleaning up the green crud from leaking alkaline batteries. What looks like a total disaster comes right off with a q tip. Of course, the plating on contacts is already gone but a little dielectric grease keeps future oxidation in check.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[fang123]

That is the down side of acid rust removers. They don't know when to stop. Evaporust only reacts with the rust. Electrolysis stops when the rust is gone and all the gunk is on the other electrode. Vinegar is still my favorite for cleaning up the green crud from leaking alkaline batteries. What looks like a total disaster comes right off with a q tip. Of course, the plating on contacts is already gone but a little dielectric grease keeps future oxidation in check.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Hmm, going to have to remember that about the alkaline batteries. That may have helped with a few thing that i just threw away.

 

[rick carpenter]

I've been trying to fill this Huot box for a while. Some of the bits in the two larger index banks you see came with it in NOS condition. About two weeks ago I found a few more bits but with some surface rust. I soaked them in vinegar for a day, then dropped them immediately in a baking soda (base) solution as I scrubbed them. I rinsed them in clear water, hit them with WD-40, then oiled them. I can't tell you now which ones in the two larger banks were rusted.

On the other hand, I tried the same process with some moderately rusted chain. It did not stand up well. The pitting was very deep and I expected the rust to eventually return if I used it outside. Away it went. I guess the difference was the degree of rust and the quality of the platings.

 

[Indexmill]

That is the down side of acid rust removers. They don't know when to stop. Evaporust only reacts with the rust. Electrolysis stops when the rust is gone and all the gunk is on the other electrode. Vinegar is still my favorite for cleaning up the green crud from leaking alkaline batteries. What looks like a total disaster comes right off with a q tip. Of course, the plating on contacts is already gone but a little dielectric grease keeps future oxidation in check.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Just to note that all of the major alkaline batter manufacturers have a leak-free warranty on their batteries. Just read the warranty on the package. If their battery ever leaks in whatever you have them in and fucks it up, they will send you a check for the value of the thing that got fucked up. I have done it many times and now, I really try to limit my use of alkaline batteries as there are alternatives out there.

I have had both Duracell and Energizer leak in aluminum body flashlights (Mag lights, etc.) such that you will never get the battery out. Thus the only salvation is the leak-free warranty. Give it a try.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I use pickle juice. It's free when you have pickle eaters in the family.

 

[seber]

I did a 1/4" chain in vinegar over the winter that was totally rusted. My hands were always full of rust after using it .Took it out of the vinegar and hit it with the pressure washer and blew the water off with the compressor. then into about a gallon of heating oil. Left it on some newspapers for a couple days and keep it in a bucket with a lid. It looks almost like a new chain now.

Cleaning vinegar is available at Walmart. I keep my chains in surplus ammo cans. Even here in the jungle that keeps them dry and rust free. It also makes them really convenient to carry.

 

[jonshonda]

I use apply cider vinegar as it is slightly more acidic then white, and it works great.

Works really good on old files as it will actually sharpen them a bit while also removing the rust.

 

[6PTsocket]

Just to note that all of the major alkaline batter manufacturers have a leak-free warranty on their batteries. Just read the warranty on the package. If their battery ever leaks in whatever you have them in and fucks it up, they will send you a check for the value of the thing that got fucked up. I have done it many times and now, I really try to limit my use of alkaline batteries as there are alternatives out there.



I have had both Duracell and Energizer leak in aluminum body flashlights (Mag lights, etc.) such that you will never get the battery out. Thus the only salvation is the leak-free warranty. Give it a try.

It is often some old device that I have no receipt for or was too cheap to be concerned about. It is often an easy clean up that is far easier than contacting a battery company. A couple of minutes of swabbing and you are back in business. So far I have yet to have a leak with the Chinese made Thunderbolts from Harbor Freight. On sale they are very cheap and have decent capacity.Duracell has a bad reputation for leaking. I had a big pack of Costco Kirklands that I believe are made by Duracell. Just about every one leaked in service or waiting to be used. As a direct replacement low self discharge NiMh are great but the 1.2 volts for 1.5 volts can be a problem with some devices.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Vvmvbb]

---snip
With all of the bubbling going on, are there any concerns with any unhealthy or dangerous fumes?
---snip

Bubbles are hydrogen gas. Nontoxic. Flammable, of course, so at some point with tons of rust and no ventilation it could flash I guess, but it's not simple to calculate where the 'stupid' threshold is. Provide ventilation.

 

[bdbecker]

White vinegar is my go-to rust remover as well. Best part is, the rusty vinegar can be used as a wood stain. Works great on hardwoods like oak, if you want to try it on pine, you'll want to mix it with some old coffee grounds.

View media item 70377
View media item 82569

 

[danielbuck]

Vinegar will also (eventually) remove Zinc coatings. It'll take a few weeks, but it will successfully remove the coatings.

Citric acid works faster on the Zinc coatings (like overnight, versus a few weeks). I like using citric acid versus harsher chemicals, it's safe on your skin, and you can dump it down the drain.

 

[Banjorear]

Are we talking the 5% white vinegar you can get at grocery stores or something else?

 

[bdbecker]

Are we talking the 5% white vinegar you can get at grocery stores or something else?

Yep, good old fashioned $1-2 a gallon white vinegar.

 

[mr.lemons]

I usually add some salt as I was told it increases the acidity of the vinegar. Not sure if it's true though. Googling provides mixed opinions.

 

[Bretny]

I use pickle juice. It's free when you have pickle eaters in the family.

Thats about 90* vinegar.

 

[BuffettFan]

View media item 87182
Don't forget and leave rusty stuff in the vinegar for too long!
These were out of sight and forgotten for something like a year.
They were just rusty before.
Wonder how good the Crescent warrantee is?

 

[BuddyC01]

What is cleaning strength vinegar?

Heinz Cleaning Vinegar, 1 Gallon:
Special cleaning strength
All-natural distilled vinegar
Net weight: 11 gallon
Eco-friendly
Combine with different agents to clean a variety surfaces, appliances and other areas
Cleansing strength of 6% acidity
Safe for cooking and cleaning
No artificial ingredients
Alternative to other cleaners and chemicals.
Made of sun-ripened grain and crystal clear water
Beneficial for use on floors, bathroom film, coffee makers, dust, grease and more
Heinz distilled vinegar, 128 fl oz bottle

 

[Motown]

A friend of mine use to use Sno Bowl toilet cleaner, to clean rusty bolts. He said it worked pretty good. I am trying it now on a rusty pulley. I will post the results.

 

[jayoldschool]

It will cost a lot more than vinegar...

 

[jgromada]

I have had really good results with white vinegar as well. Just need to neutralize it after you take it out of vinegar bath. Lots of lubrication is necessary as previously mentioned to prevent rust.

 

[BD1]

I use white vinegar on my recycled horseshoes for artwork. Works great ! It will remove chrome on some wrenches too. Had a rusty chrome wrench and let it soak too long. Yep, much chrome fell off.