Tool Rust Removal
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Rust Warriors,
Several weeks ago I posted a topic about using a molasses and water mixture to remove rust from steel and iron. Car restorers have apparently been doing this for some time now. No one replied to say whether or not they had heard of this method, but today I am beginning a test to see how effective this mixture actually is.
I have some well rusted but really nice ax and hatchet heads that need rust removed, sharpening and new handles made. From what I have read the mixture goes like this: About nine parts warm water to one part molasses (ordinary food grade) is all that is required. The warm water just disperses the molasses which is of course thick to begin with.
This procedure can take from three to four weeks to fully strip all existing rust. The tools will remain in a suitable plastic container immersed in this liquid until ready to be removed and washed off. Re-rusting can begin immediately after removal from the bath so a sealer must be applied straight away. That could be etch prep paint or even linseed oil etc.
I will post the results I obtain in a few weeks with some before and after photos. Let me know if you try this and what your own results are if any.
Joe B.
I like to use electrolysis myself. It takes less than a couple of hours (depending on how much rust is to be removed) and you just wipe away the black gunk that use to be rust. But molasses seems a lot safer! I am curious to see how it turns out.
I’m a fan of evaporust. I keep a large plastic bin of it in the garage and when something comes in with rust into the bin it goes. Time depends on how old the solution is (keep using it. It slows down but it doesn’t seem to quit.), how cold it is, and how badly rusted the item is. The nice thing about this stuff is it’s not a “Navel Jelly” variant. It’s quite mild to the hands, I don’t even use gloves around the stuff. Supposed to be environmentally safe. I know for sure it doesn’t kill grass. Non-flammable too. I like safe things that work.
Costs around $25 a gallon in my neck of the woods and is available at one of the local car parts chains.
John Purser
Hubert, NC
