Rust remover: choice, application

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Rust is a common "disease" of metals. These durable, versatile materials are all around us. They are used to create household appliances, cars, air transport and much more. All the most durable fasteners are also made of metal. But here's the problem: over time, many of them succumb to oxidation - corrosion. The material is destroyed under the influence of the environment, and the structure begins to deteriorate. How to save metal from inevitable death? Which rust remover should you choose? Let's figure it out in the article.

Remove light dirt

The sooner rust is detected, the easier it is to deal with it. If the damage is not too deeply embedded in the metal, it is enough to resort to a mechanical cleaning method. To do this, you can treat the surface with a stiff brush. Grinding will remove the layer of dirt and save the metal from the further spread of the "infection".

It is worth noting that a mechanical cleaning step is also used to combat deep-seated rust before applying chemicals to achieve the best result. As a hard brushcoarse sandpaper can be used.

Auto Cleaner

A good rust remover is a car metal cleaner. This tool is available: it can be purchased at any store specializing in automotive products. Before application, it is recommended to clean the surface affected by rust with a stiff brush. After that, the area is covered with a layer of the agent up to 5 millimeters thick and left for a couple of minutes. Then it is necessary to wash off the residues and wipe the surface to dryness. If the rust is not completely gone, repeat the procedure.

Be aware that any rust remover is toxic. These are usually acids that cause burns if they come into contact with the skin. It is necessary to work in protective gloves, glasses and a respirator. Additionally, it will not be superfluous to carefully read the instructions for use and precautions.

Homemade Mortar

As a result of popular experiments, many "home" recipes for removing rust have been created. They are based on substances that dissolve the iron oxide formed on the surface of the collapsing metal. Homemade rust remover is prepared according to the following recipe:

• water - 300 ml;
• ammonium - 50 g;
• 40% formalin - 250g;
• caustic soda or caustic soda - 50 g.

After mixing the ingredients, they must be diluted with a liter of water. Place in the solution metal elements that have undergonecorrosion (not suitable for surface treatment). Leave for 15-40 minutes, occasionally watching the process. Remove the parts immediately after the rust disappears. Then rinse well in hot water and wipe dry. Original look and natural metallic luster guaranteed.

Anti-rust acids

It is known that acids are capable of dissolving many chemical compounds. Hydrated iron oxide is no exception. For high-quality purification, one should resort to strong acids, which are hydrochloric, sulfuric and orthophosphoric. True, you should not use pure solutions: they are too caustic. Rust acid will work properly if you add an inhibitor to it - a substance that slows down the chemical reaction. One of the most affordable is urotropin.

The recipe is quite simple: you need to take any of the described acids and dilute it with water to form a 5% solution. Then add an inhibitor at the rate of 0.5 grams per liter of liquid. The surface is treated with the resulting product and left for a while. Hydrochloric, sulfuric or phosphoric acid can easily cope with the task. Where to buy an inhibitor? If it is not on the market and in specialized stores, use this recipe:

• put potato tops in a three-liter jar (should fill half of its volume);
• fill with acid until stems are covered;
• 20 minutes actively stir the contents;
• drain the liquid - and the metal cleaner is ready.

Phosphoric Acid Cleaner

Solution,based on phosphoric acid, it fights rust in a very beneficial way. The tool converts the rust layer into a durable coating. What concentration should be phosphoric acid? Where to buy it? You can find acids, including phosphoric, in auto chemical stores or industrial departments. To prepare an effective solution that converts hydrated iron oxide into a durable metal coating, it is recommended to use a 15% or 30% aqueous solution of phosphoric acid. The resulting product is applied with a brush or spray gun and left to dry completely.

Another effective method of dealing with "red hair" based on phosphoric acid is this recipe:

• butanol - 5 ml;
• tartaric acid - 15 ml;
• phosphoric acid - 1 l.

Why does phosphoric acid have such an effect on rust? Everything is easily explained in terms of chemistry: it converts iron oxide into phosphate, which forms a kind of film on the surface of the metal that protects it.

Other methods of chemical exposure

What other substances can successfully remove rust? Perhaps simpler methods will be tools such as:

• a mixture of liquid paraffin (or vaseline oil) and lactic acid in a ratio of 2:1;
• zinc chloride (5 g) and cream of tartar (0.5 g) dissolved in 100 ml of water;
• turpentine or kerosene for minor corrosion.

All these methods are good forremoval of rust on the metal of machines and other elements from "non-domestic" metal. For home use, there are several simpler and more affordable methods for removing red plaque:

• fish oil - applied to rust and left for a while;
• A mixture of citric acid and vinegar in equal proportions will get rid of corrosion in the bathroom and rust stains on clothes, the product is applied for 20 minutes, after which the surface is cleaned with a hard sponge;
• make a slurry of baking soda (by adding water to it) and apply to the metal surface, leave for an hour, then rinse;
• oxalic acid solution: 6 tsp. dissolve in 300 ml of water, dip the rusted elements into the resulting liquid for half an hour;
• Coca-Cola is an excellent rust remover thanks to its phosphoric acid content.

Prevention methods

Removing rust from metal is a long and not the easiest process. Corrosion can be avoided by using some means that protect the surface from destruction. Here are some useful recipes that prevent the formation of rust:

• paraffin or wax (20 g) mixed with gasoline (40 ml), the resulting solution is an excellent tool for protecting carpentry tools from corrosion;
• wax or paraffin (10 g) and kerosene (30 ml) will prevent rust on polished metal instruments.

To avoid "redness", you should take good care of the material: avoid its excessive moisture,timely clean from dirt and dust. Many anti-corrosion coatings have been developed and can be found in automotive stores.

Rust remover is a caustic solution that dissolves the problem or converts it into a protective film. It is worth remembering that any remedy (homemade or store-bought) is very toxic for both humans and metal. Use instructions and precautions must be strictly followed to avoid damage to leather and metal surfaces.