Rust removal

[Chappers]

A great cheap way to remove rust from components is to use Brick Acid. I put the chains from my recently acquired No 7 set in a bucket of Brick Acid and they came out like New. You have first got to degrease the item then either leave to soak or brush it with a small paint brush. If the rust is very thick wire brush it and keep applying brick acid. Once clean place in a bucket of Caustic soda to neutralize the acid, dry and then coat with a thin oil to stop them oxidizing.
You must wear suitable clothing and Goggles as any splashes will cause a problem. I normally place a large plastic sheet on the ground before I start.

So get cleaning, Brake cylinders come up like new

[armydriver]

Thanks for the tip Chappers. Rust is a continuing problem with these old beauties.

[lendlease]

G'day Guys!
An even better way to remove rust is to buy salad vinegar from your local supermarket. Just pour it straight into a bucket....plastic is best....don't dilute it with water. Leave it for a few days and remove and wash with clean water. Rust is all gone. Immerse it in a bath of water and bi-carb soda....again from the supermarket.....to neutralize any residual vinegar.
No need for gloves or protective clothing and 100% enviromentally friendly! Cheap too!

[armydriver]

Great tip leandlease. Thanks.

[pfarber]

QUICKEST way to remove rust:
Chameical - Muric acid
Mechanical - aluminum oxide

Rust in gone is a matter of seconds.

Next would be phosphoric acid, then electrolytic, then the vineager/molassas others.

Timeframes are : seconds, hours, days, respecitevly.

[retro-roco]

Actually Chappers and Pfarber are both talking about the same type of acid. Muriatic acid is commonly used by masons to clean brick after striking the mortar joints (hence sometimes called "brick acid").