Page 1 of 1
Ok Old People, What do you do for Rust Removal?
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:16 pm
by YARDofSTUF
For tools that can be dipped in stuff, vinegar or got some regular product?
And for things that can't be dipped, like say a table saw top, what would you do?
I'm started to look at de-rusting a bunch of crap and I was like man, old people would love to talk about this stuff, I know where I can find a bunch!

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:11 pm
by Philip
Shadap w the old peeps, lol.

I will try to live up to the challenge, even if I'm not ancient yet.
Good protective oils usually contain teflon or silicone, they stay comparatively dry to the touch, yet form a long-term protective film that repels moisture. Silicone is superior to the touch imho. Back to topic...
It is best to first remove surface rust with a metal brush, sandpaper, steel wool, and some store-bought rust converter.
As for the old peeps recipes, most acids, i.e. lemon juice, vinegar should work. Baking soda can be used for scrubbing. If you want to go completely native, use half a potato sprinkled liberally with baking soda: the acid in the potato will lift the rust and the soda will scrub it away.
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:21 am
by Humboldt
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 10:56 am
by YARDofSTUF
Never heard of the toothpaste one. I did try coke once, that didn't help. I might try dipping a couple wrenches in vinegar for a couple days.
Oh Philip, my definition of old is 30 and up, so you are well in there.

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:04 pm
by Philip
Ouch
You can soak them in diesel fuel too. Just soaking will likely not be enough though. Best bet is doing a few different steps: soaking/rust conversion + scrubbing, and then protection.
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:07 pm
by Easto
use this...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=evapo+rust&h ... ljx74out_e
They even make a gel so that you can apply it to flat surfaces. I've used it several times and it works great. It's reusable too. Depending on the extent and depth of the rust you may still need to do a final clean with some fine steel wool, but all in all, this stuff does the trick. Most auto part stores carry it.
Vinegar does work, but it's not great and the results aren't consistent. Most of the home remedies work to some extent but I've never gotten the results I get with Evapo-Rush.
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 3:45 pm
by morbidpete
YARDofSTUF wrote:For tools that can be dipped in stuff, vinegar or got some regular product?
And for things that can't be dipped, like say a table saw top, what would you do?
I'm started to look at de-rusting a bunch of crap and I was like man, old people would love to talk about this stuff, I know where I can find a bunch!
I use PB Blaster and a wire brush.
Soak the living hell out of it, let sit for an hour, brush and flex/move all movable parts. Have saved a bunch of wrenches/pliers with this method that wouldn't move even a mm.
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:40 pm
by Norm
At a friends body shop they use a fiber wheel on a high speed drill.
Works great, doesn't harm the metal at all, just the rust and anything else on the metal.
Different wheels for different jobs. Some are loose fiber that get into corners, some are tight fibers and great for flat surfaces.
10- 15 bucks a wheel here.
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:32 am
by Ken
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:17 am
by YARDofSTUF
Used naval jelly on a I beam, not a fan of that for sure. That stuff you double up on the protective gear.
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:48 am
by TonyT
I use a random orbit sander every few years on my table saw top which is kept in my garage. After sanding off the rust layer I coat it with any oil or wax from an unscented candle. The wax makes wood slide easy too.
For some things I use a homemade "grinder" with a pulley system and 2 sets of wire wheels, one coarse and the other soft.
For smaller metal things like tools I use a homemade electrolysis dip consisting of a rubbermaid tub, water with washing soda, rebar & my battery charger. Gets ALL of the rust off.
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:37 am
by Philip
Hi Tony
Whoa, an electrolytic dip

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 3:57 pm
by TonyT
Philip wrote:Hi Tony
Whoa, an electrolytic dip
Yes, and easy peasy to make. All you need is a non-metal tub and a piece of metal electrode for the + side and a wire hang & submerge for - side. And about a quarter cup washing soda in water. 12v charger on low 2v setting.
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 5:05 pm
by Philip
2V or 2A?
Yardy, you can wash your feet in it too, I'd pay for that picture

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 3:19 pm
by YARDofSTUF
Prob not happening, definitely not if its 2A. lol
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:56 pm
by TonyT
Philip wrote:2V or 2A?
Yardy, you can wash your feet in it too, I'd pay for that picture
12v 2amp trickle charge, higher setting does the job faster but the water evaporates too fast.
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 12:10 am
by BMED
TonyT wrote:12v 2amp trickle charge, higher setting does the job faster but the water evaporates too fast.
Also a good system for preparing frog legs, without the washing soda of course! Once they hit the water those legs stretch out big time...plus they're 1/2 way cooked already!
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:18 am
by Philip
BMED wrote:Also a good system for preparing frog legs, without the washing soda of course! Once they hit the water those legs stretch out big time...plus they're 1/2 way cooked already!
You can probably rig that in a backyard pond directly
