Went to the Habitat Restore Thursday and picked up a rusty K-D brake pad spreading tool model #2145. Stuck it in a glass bottle full of white vinegar overnight. Took it out to day and scrubbed it with a stainless steel wire brush under hot water. Then i  blew it dry and sprayed it with light oil and rubbed it in wiping off the extra oil. It came out pretty good. I will filter the vinegar and use it again. I will use this method again on small parts.

EvilDr235

I find it pretty effective too.

After reading many times on this forum of the power of vinegar to remove rust I tried it on several rusty tools.  The results were incredible.

I think it's pretty cheap to buy vinegar by the gallon at Wal-Mart.

EvilDr235

It's great--in moderation!

just don't forget about whatever you put in there otherwise you may not recognize it when it comes out.

I had the K-D tool in the vinegar for appox 20 hours. It only ate the rust. It may act differently on other tools and other types of metal. I will try another tool tonight. Just stuck a Ford wrench in. I am only going to do half of it and take a picture of the results.

EvilDr235

I had a tool at the rental store that was stored improperly.  It was a Rigid chain pipe cutter.  The adjusting portion was froze.  I soaked for a couple days in vinegar and it freed up.  After a good cleaning and lubrication it looks good and works 100%.
Al

This is the results of 21 hours in the vinegar. It is a common old Ford wrench. I will be using two of these for door handles, but they won't be damaged so they will retain their value. The whole left side is shiny, you just can't se it in the picture.

EvilDr235