Rust Removal

Made a start on cleaning my lathe up and all the bits to go with. Here is a sample by the way of electrolysis. For those of you that have not tried it and want to see results. Here you are

Hi Martin

Having used this technique for a number of years on various restoration projects can I point other readers to

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

Wire brush of Blackened oxides under running water and remove excess water the spray with WD 40 Or CRC Water Repellent.

A Blackening process to finish off.

Eric

Great followup. Was not sure if it was of interest to anyone. I am new to this forum so don't really know the lay of the land sort of speak.

Can I also add, get a small wire brush, for small parts, I think I have lost half of the skin on my hands today using a normal one.

I've used Electrolysis for cleaning rusty stuff quite a few times now. It works great and doesn't etch the surface like citric or other acids do.

I use hot diluted phosphoric acid and that works well too.

Andrew.

Get some oil onto them ASAP as soon as they are out of the water.

Neil

Not heard of that one, does it require scrubbing after the hot acid process and does it react or eat away at the good steel?

Not heard of that one, does it require scrubbing after the hot acid process and does it react or eat away at the good steel?

Hi Martin,

I am sure it does attack the steel, but only if you leave it in too long. It seems to go for the rust first. I did put in a large reamer with some rust on it. I left it in too long and the bright steel went a satin colour, but the rust was long gone.

I purchased 5 lts of conc stuff on Ebay. I dilute this down approx. 10 to 1 with very hot water and dump stuff in. It seems that hot is the key. Once it has cooled down a bit, then you can fish stuff out by hand and the acid doesn't affect my skin!

Andrew.

Hello again,

I think the recent post on rust removal using a non acid chelating agent is the best bet, but I can't find the thread!

Andrew.

.

Do you mean **LINK** this one.?

Nick

I'm probably more of a brute than a chemist which is why i mainly use a wire brush at high speed to clean up steel. Does a wonderful job on most stuff.

Michael W

Edited By Michael-w on 25/04/2017 15:39:58

I believe phosphoric acid is actually one of the ingredients of Coke. Maybe you could soak parts in hot Coke?

Just don't drink it afterwards.

Apparently tea makes a good electrolyte for rust removal. Takes a long time though.

Same advice as my post above

I tried using cheap'n'cheerful sugar free 'cola'. It worked fine (left in the garden) but took a few days.

It turned the cola into Irn Bru.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 05/05/2017 11:00:08