Will Evaporust work to remove rust from drill press column?

[MPOWERD]

I have surface rust on my vintage C-man 100 drill press column and I want to clean it up. Will soaking it in evaporust work to take it back to clean metal or will I still need to hit it with a wire wheel and some sand paper?

You can see the rusted column in these pics...

 

[75' forty]

Well this thread is appropriate.

I have parts of my 150 currently in a bottle of this.

It's working really well for nuts, bolts, and smaller parts. The Chuck is not cleaning up so well. Going to let it soak for a couple days and see if results get any better.

My plan was to have the base and head sandblasted.

I wire wheeled the pole after putting CLR on it. Going to go back with fine sand paper to get it slightly cleaner.

Do you have any ideas for the depth gauge? From what I can tell it's not etched in and I'm afraid to do to much to it in fear of removing some black around the numbers and notches.

 

[MPOWERD]

Good to hear it... I will soak all the small parts tonight.

 

[BJ42LX]

It will work but you have to soak the parts in the stuff. You can't just paint it on. Also, you should clean any oil/grease/dirt off before soaking.

 

[Wi Fire 10]

I would advise you not to use sandpaper if you can, it will scratch the good steel up tool much. Use if only as a last resort.

 

[dumper]

sand paper, then steel wool worked fine on mine...I'd post a picture, but I get a "fatal error" message every time I try.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Bottle says you can do "large areas" via soaking paper towels in the stuff and then placing them on the rusty spots. Cover with plastic to try and keep the towels from drying out, or just keep them wet. I can see it working OK.

 

[darkk]

Leave it in the Evaporust for a couple days if it's heavily rusted...

 

[Outlawmws]

For that light of rust WD 40 and a fine wire wheel will clean it up fast (If somewhat messily)

 

[wjhpc]

looks like a quick job with fine Scotchbrite and then Ultrafine Scotchbrite. Use a liquid medium like Gibb's Brand to help the process. I wouldn't bother with the Evaporust for such a large, oddly shaped piece, and the Evaporust will not make it shine like a quick sanding with the Scotchbright or other sandpaper product.

 

[relic7680]

I have used Evaporust with decent success. Small parts...degreased w/any loose stuff knocked off. Submerse the stuff for at least 3 days....don't rush it. I filter mine back into the original container through a fresh coffee filter after every use and get some mileage out of it.

 

[BJ42LX]

OP's original question was about Evapo Rust.

But since we're offering up alternative solutions ... for light rust on steel consider using an SOS soap pad and water. Rinse. Dry and wipe down with some light oil.

 

[theknurl]

220 abrasive cloth strip 2" x ~30"long .....

why **** around with chemicals and water around cast iron and bare steel?????