Removing Rust from Tools

[Stemar]

I've just gone through the boat toolbox and removed a number of duplicates, but I have quite a few that I want to keep that are a delicate shade of rust, including a perfectly good, but very brown genuine Mole wrench and a couple of files.

Any suggestions as to how to remove the rust and restore their original beauty and, more important, utility?

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The quick way is one of these on your mini grinder. Eye protection, tough gloves and thick clothes are esential - the bits of wire hurt.

RS PRO Cup Abrasive Brush | RS Components

 

[Ian_Rob]

Electrolysis can work well. There are quite a few videos on YouTube that describe the process using readily available equipment.

 

[Scotsailor]

Leave them in a shallow tray with some vinegar overnight.

 

[Daydream believer]

When you have sorted it I would suggest that every time you replace a tool you just spray the box with some WD40 . I do not have a problem with rustbut just keeping an oily film on metal items does help

 

[penberth3]

The quick way is one of these on your mini grinder. Eye protection, tough gloves and thick clothes are esential - the bits of wire hurt.

RS PRO Cup Abrasive Brush | RS Components

Might be OK for bigger lumps in really bad condition, but too aggressive for smaller items. I'd do it all by hand, fine wire brush, then WD40 with wet & dry or scotchbrite.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Coca-Cola (which contains phosphoric acid) is reputed to work very well.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Might be OK for bigger lumps in really bad condition, but too aggressive for smaller items. I'd do it all by hand, fine wire brush, then WD40 with wet & dry or scotchbrite.

It's absolutely fine on any tool steel. Just burnishes the good metal once the rust is off.

 

[Never Grumble]

Bilt Hammer Deox C or similar
Deox-C | Corrosion Protection and Rust Removal - Bilt Hamber

 

[GHA]

Coca-Cola (which contains phosphoric acid) is reputed to work very well.

Must be a minute amount in coke though. phosphoric acid from ebay is cheap and works great. Wickes used to do grout film remover which was about 25% from memory, might be discontinued now though, been a while.

 

[Stemar]

Must be a minute amount in coke though. phosphoric acid from ebay is cheap and works great. Wickes used to do grout film remover which was about 25% from memory, might be discontinued now though, been a while.

Darn it, I was in Wickes this morning!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Must be a minute amount in coke though. phosphoric acid from ebay is cheap and works great. Wickes used to do grout film remover which was about 25% from memory, might be discontinued now though, been a while.

I don't know the actual concentration, but in the list of ingredients of Classic Coke (on Coca-Cola's website), it's the fourth item, after water, sugar and colouring. There's more phosphoric acid than flavouring! For those who don't know, lists of ingredients are required to be given in order of the amount present.

 

[penfold]

Leave them in a shallow tray with some vinegar overnight.

That, although for lumpy/thick rust may need repeated applications. Thorough washing and oiling needed afterward obviously.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I watched a YouTube of electrolytic removal on Dominic Kinnear website. Quite impressive. Dominic is off 'the repair shop'

 

[Cuan]

This is good for removing rust and leaves a gently abraded finish
Garryflex Abrasive Cleaning Block
One of the youtube woodworking gurus (Paul Sellers) suggest using a small tin, with a rag rolled up and inserted vertically, and then doused in 3 in 1 oil. A quick wipe with this leaves a minimal coating of oil, preventing rust

 

[Thistle]

Prevention is better than cure! See above about most tools but don't bother with files, drill bits etc: chuck out the rusted ones and replace.

 

[LittleSister]

Can anyone comment on the relative merits of AC50 for 'oiling' tools for rust prevention, compared to, say, WD40 or 3-in-1 oil?

 

[Stemar]

I know WD40 dries out and disappears. ACF50 doesn't. It also, IMO, is a better penetrating oil. I credit ACF50 with preventing the rust getting worse, but I'm not convinced it did my files any favours; greasy files are not, in my experience, effective files.

 

[Beneteau381]

I've just gone through the boat toolbox and removed a number of duplicates, but I have quite a few that I want to keep that are a delicate shade of rust, including a perfectly good, but very brown genuine Mole wrench and a couple of files.

Any suggestions as to how to remove the rust and restore their original beauty and, more important, utility?

Im just rebuilding a rustyTiger Cub. A two inch rotary wirebrush in my battery drill has been the dogs rognons. Perfect witout being too aggressive. Hold the bits or tools in a vice and go to town onthem

 

[Rum Run]

I have been de-rusting some salvaged machine parts recently using the electrolysis method and it works nicely using a plastic bucket, a conventional transformer battery charger, some clamps, a bit of sheet steel, water and washing soda.
The benefit of this method over the acids is that the residue is basically rusty water that can be chucked on the garden or down a drain without fear of polluting anything.
Another method seems to be to immerse the rusty object in diluted molasses for a few weeks. Allegedly it works but smells bad.