Home made rust remover

[Lowell]

I ran across this when doing an Internet search on rust remover.  In the original article, the writer had used a solution of 1 part molasses to 9 parts water.  I decided to try it on a rusted steel plate from the 1962 International Scout I am working on.  I mixed up the 1 part molasses, 9 parts water in a bucket and let the plate soak for 5 days.  The attached photo shows a before and after comparison after the five days.  Rust remover formula at the auto parts store runs about $9 for a quart.  I can make about 4 gallons of the home made stuff for $9.  It takes a bit longer that the store bought stuff but it is easy and I don't think there are any bad chemicals in the molasses.  ;D

 

[scottydl]

Wow!  I just bought some of the manufactured "Rust Off", in a spray can for my exterior steps that are rusting underneath the black paint.  I might have to return it and buy some molasses instead.

 

[Ron]

Gee the molasses might even help the paint stick better. ;D ;D

 

[Lowell]

I think it works good if you can let it soak in the molasses solution for a while.  But if you had to remove rust from a vertical surface or were in a hurry, the "Rust Off" or similar commercial product is probably faster.  I have been slowly collecting parts for my 62 Scout and some of these parts  have lite rust that I can soak off.  So it is a ecomomical solution for some things like that.

 

[scottydl]

Still a good option, for when there is time.  When I clean up my steps this Spring, I *really* want to get them clean and prevent future rust.  So I may remove them completely and drop them into a tub of molasses water for a few days, then sand and repaint.

 

[Chet18013]

If you have a battery charger or old computer power supply, you can remove rust with that, water and baking soda. See This site.

Chet18013

 

[Ron]

If you have a battery charger or old computer power supply, you can remove rust with that, water and baking soda. See This site.

Chet18013

Interesting Chet thanks for posting that.