De-rust your bits using vinegar

[Stuart]

http://www.cookhaus.co.uk/vinegar/index.htm

[Geoff Butcher]

They must make their vinegar with hydrochloric acid. I'm off to find something rusty now to prove this doesn't work. Obviously you need balsamic...

[Stuart]

Have you tried it yet Geoff?

[Geoff Butcher]

No, but I'm going to do a sweet and sour chicken stir fry tomorrow so I might try it then. Not in the wok, you understand...

[absolute crest]

presumably tosh - but did you have a play? if so, what did you get to - well seasoned but still rusty albeit degreased parts..?

regards

[graemedench]

Hi folks

I can confirm it does work quite well. I've been soaking bits in it for a bit b4 sticking them into the ultrasonic cleaner, Its a lot cheaper than the stuff for the ultrasonic, so i find a day or two in there first works well, I guess if you leave it in there long enough.... Could always try coke too you know what happens if you stick a coin in so why not other metals? Just remember to clean off parts after with WD40 or similar to stop rust reforming

[Rich]

I've used a bath of diluted sulphuric acid for the bits from my Midas, an overnight soak will shift virtually all rust as long as the part has been degreased and is without paint. The parts are rinsed in water and then dipped in caustic soda to neutralise before being rinsed and dried. Alloy parts just need a fairly short time in the caustic to clean them up.

I haven't used vinegar, but I've heard of it being done and can't see why any acidic solution wouldn't work if given enough time. It's got to be the safer option if you've got kids about too.

Rich

[Geoff Butcher]

Well, I only had balsamic and that had zero effect. Probably serves me right for buying the cheap stuff...

[Bluto]

try bilt-hamber deox-c and deox gel.

[johnnyfixit]

decided to give it a try, ten bottles from sainsburys 13p 568ml and a 60cm plant trough from the local flower place.two days of dipping the drive shafts bit of wire brushing redip and I could read the makers name and marks quick wask off with soapy water then hammerited cool