Vinegar

[Branson]

On another (and not nearly as congenial) list, there's a discussion about vinegar for getting rid of rust.  One fellow says it can't possibly work.  Two fellows insist it doesn't work, hasn't worked for them.   I use it, have for years, and it always works for me.  Any ideas why it might not work for others?  Maybe there's grease or oil on the surface of the metal? 

What experiences have others here had?

[Papaw]

Works for me. Those who say it doesn't work must not have tried, or done it wrong, though I can't see a way to mess it up.

[lbgradwell]

I use it all the time. Definitely works!

Before:




After:

[Branson]

May I use your before and after photos?

[lbgradwell]

Certainly.

[john k]

I first used it on a box of drill bits found in a yard.  Been laying out at least a year.  Lay them in a glass cake pan, poured on the vinegar, then covered it up and took it outside.  I really hate the smell of vinegar.  In 3 days I checked, and they all have a heavy layer of black crud, but no rust.  Washed them, dried, then  wiped down with oil.   Some of them came out shiny again.  Not nearly as amazing as those pipe wrenches, but it works for me. 

[rusty]

Vinegar isn't nearly strong enough to decompose oils and other organics, so , yes, you have to clean the gunk off first. And it's not going to restore missing metal to pits.

It is not exactly a new process otherwise, Vinegar makes pickles, and putting steel in it makes pickeled steel....but modern practice generally uses stronger acids.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickling_(metal)

[oldtools]

works great for me, may need to wash with solvent first if oily...

[Branson]

lbgradwell, how long did you soak those wrenches?

[Nolatoolguy]

I have only done it once before. It amazed me how well it worked, not to mention its relatively inexpensive!

Later this spring I may use it to help clean some parts on my gramps old tablesaw.

[oldtools]

Someone said to clean with baking soda after vinegar soak to neutralize vinegar acid, any comments on this?

[1930]

Maybe it depends on the variety of Vinegar, I seem to remember it working great most times for myself but than others not so well if at all

[geneg]

On oily or greasy rusty things,  I usually let them soak in some kerosene or mineral spirits to dissolve the petroleum.  Then a good blow off with air or cheap brake cleaner.  I use an old crockpot (the oval shape works best)  filled with cheap vinegar set on low overnight to dissolve the scale.  The heat speeds up the vinegar action.   Vinegar is a mild enough acid that a short bath won't eat much more than the rust- not the case with stronger acids!  As well as the health & safety factors.  Clear water is enough to neutralize the acid.  Anything that I have cleaned this way has needed to be coated as soon as it is rinsed to avoid the flash rusting. 

[lbgradwell]

lbgradwell, how long did you soak those wrenches?

I think they soaked overnight, had a scrub with a wire brush, then soaked for another number of hours before being well-scrubbed again.

[lbgradwell]

Clear water is enough to neutralize the acid.  Anything that I have cleaned this way has needed to be coated as soon as it is rinsed to avoid the flash rusting.

And this is what I do. Any surface that isn't getting new paint gets a spray with WD-40 or the like...