shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Apr 28, 2012 21:11:18 GMT -5
I have been trying to bring a few pieces of equipment back to life and struggling to find a cheap way to remove rust. I found this on youtube and tried it. It worked flawlessly in a 20 gallon tub. It is an awesome alternative to expensive sandblasting. You can find molasses in 5 gallon pails for around $20 at any Co-Op or $7 a gallon at Tractor Supply. I use 1 part molasses to 8 parts water. It took the rust off in a week. I'm going to dip some other things later so I'll get before and after pics then.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 28, 2012 21:43:44 GMT -5
That's some awesome info Scott. Thanks for posting it! I'm excited to see your before and after pix.
Nate
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 879
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Post by cardiobill on Apr 28, 2012 22:04:00 GMT -5
Very cool. Eco friendly. Never heard of this. Learn something every day.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Apr 28, 2012 22:43:23 GMT -5
I've lots of experience with rust, and now another way to remove it. Will be giving it a try soon, thanks for posting. Decisions, decisions, remove rust or put it on my morning oatmeal.
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Apr 29, 2012 18:48:10 GMT -5
Here are the before picks: I'll update in a week or so. Scott
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ulstergeki
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2012
Posts: 111
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Post by ulstergeki on Apr 29, 2012 19:03:36 GMT -5
I will go down to Orchelans, and get a gallon just to try this out, i have a few things i want to try this out on, including old stove parts, tools, and a vintage stapler, all sorts of things i want to try haha.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 29, 2012 19:36:32 GMT -5
And I thought the only thing molasses was good for was making rum. LOL
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Post by Woodyrock on Apr 30, 2012 0:20:02 GMT -5
Another rust converter is citric acid. You can find the citric acid in the places that sell beer, and wine making stuff. Put a cup in a gallon of warm to hot water, and light rust will be converted in a few minutes. It will take longer for heavy rust. When the rust had converted back to iron, pull the metal out and scrub it with hot to boiling water to clean , and heat it do it will dry quickly. If you let it dry slowly it will flash rust. Citric acid is non poisoness and can be dumped in the sewer. The conversion process will release sulpher dioxide, which smells like bad eggs. This process will not be as messy as molasses, and is also eco friendly. Woody
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Apr 30, 2012 0:35:04 GMT -5
Can you still use the molasses to make rum after you're done cleaning up rust?
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Post by Woodyrock on Apr 30, 2012 1:08:45 GMT -5
Citric acid is a very effective rust converter, and not a messy to use as is molasses. You can find it at stores dealing in beer making, and wine making supplies. It is used to sterilize bottles. To remove/convert rust with it, add one cup (dry crystals) to warm to hot water. Light rust will convert in minutes, heavy will take a few hours. The rust will convert to black iron, and a sulphide (smells like rotten eggs). When converted, wash the metal is hot to boiling water to remove the loose iron, and to help the metal dry quickly. If you let it dry slowly, it will flash rust (very light rust coating). This process is eco friendly, and non poisoness. Woody
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rockdude
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 187
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Post by rockdude on Apr 30, 2012 5:46:37 GMT -5
Thanks Woody!
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agatecab
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by agatecab on May 1, 2012 11:56:47 GMT -5
thanks working on a small trim saw found at a yard sale shaft and nut might need to be bought , blade for sure. But this is worth a try on the rest of it.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 1, 2012 13:48:17 GMT -5
Oxalic acid is another good rust remover, but it's not as friendly as molasses or citric acid. It works quickly when it's hot, but the fumes are not pleasant. It will also work at room temperature.
Oxalic acid can be found in rhubarb leaves, so it's not an environmental problem.
Chuck
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Post by Pat on May 1, 2012 14:15:33 GMT -5
I hear coconut oil removes rust from scissors; might work on your boxes. I know it removes the stickiness from labels that have been removed.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on May 15, 2012 22:36:35 GMT -5
Shermlock; Thanks for posting the molasses idea; I tried it on a rusty old crowbar I picked up on a roadside more so someone wouldn't run over it than any other reason, figured on giving it to the local scrapper. It worked great.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 23, 2012 8:37:32 GMT -5
I bought a used 5 hp air compressor, sand blaster and sand. Only $400 to remove rust from an old Lortone unit I picked up. Sounds like I am associated with the federal government.
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Post by Woodyrock on May 23, 2012 18:14:08 GMT -5
Buying sand in Newberry Springs is akin to selling Eskimos ice cubes, I would think. Was it expensive? Woody
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on May 23, 2012 20:33:59 GMT -5
Hey Scott, got an update?
Nate
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Post by johnjsgems on May 23, 2012 22:05:13 GMT -5
Woody, I can't find my rock piles for "blow sand". The wind blown stuff is useless as it is all rounded. I have to buy coarse grit sand for the blaster. I don't know how much though. Compared to the $139 blaster plus tax/shipping and air compressor and necessary wiring, regulator/fittings, etc. it was minimal. I'm going to try some of my free sand some day but it would have to be screened for any debris or it will plug up the nozzle so maybe not worth it.
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Post by Woodyrock on May 24, 2012 0:50:24 GMT -5
John:
I have used beach sand in my blaster after desalting it, and running it down to 100 mesh. It is pretty rounded, but seems to work as well as the sharp sand in the bags. We used to have a monument shop nearby, and I could get the used garnet grit free. I would wash the granite dust out, dry it, re-sieve it, and that stuff worked really good. Blow sand is already pretty well graded, so should sieve easy.
Woody Woody
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