I've been reading a lot about rust removal lately. I've been using a product called EvapoRust that I absolutely swear by. It works fantastic. It works quickly, and it's said to be safe enough that it can be poured down the drain when you're done. That being said, I've been intrigued by the reports that I've been reading about removing rust with water and molasses. I've seen enough videos (linked below) that I'm convinced enough to try it. I figured I would both share what I've found and ask if anyone here has tried it. It seems that it's a slower process than EvapoRust but it's likely much more environmentally friendly and a bit cheaper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZCFcxf5IBw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZCFcxf5IBw
Neat idea. I have had a ton of success using electrolysis. Items needed: 12 volt Battery charger, large tub of water mixed soda wash crystals to submerge part to be cleaned with , steel sacrificial anodes, and the rusted part to be cleaned. Black(-) terminal to part to be cleaned and submerged Red(+) terminal to sacrificial steel Turn on charger to 12 volts and let it do its job. Part will be rust free and turned black. Clean it and its ready for paint. Important FYI!!! Only use steel. Do not...do not use aluminum or stainless steel... its toxic! Do not allow the red terminal to contact water Do not use baking soda...must use soda wash...its different.
My Dad used to be an electro-plater. I miss the days when I could just drop stuff off at the shop to be cleaned. (Their cleaning tanks were a great way to clear the lime out of a gripey toilet!) Most of the time anything I dropped off would even come back with a nice, shiny, yellow zinc dichromate finish on it 'cause that's what Dad wanted once he got it cleaned up. He could do Cadmium or Chrome as well but business was slow enough that the Cad and Chrome tanks were shut down most of the time. Now that he's retired and I have to clean stuff myself I'm having to get a little more creative.
As for the mole asses, it seems to be an Aussie thing. However, I know of several guys who tried it with antique gun parts and it ruined them. Why, I don't know but suspect it may have been because the parts were wrought iron instead of steel. Wrought iron is very grainy and has silicate inclusions. Anyway, the barrels ended up looking like honeycombs.
I use transporters, they ship rust-free cars to me from out west so I don't worry about rust. My friend worked at a trans shop and thought that dipping his antique rifle in their hot tank would be a good way to clean it, there was no rifle left when he lifted the basket out of the tank.
