Citric Acid

[Radar]

The rebuild of my Pace continues, carrying on from my steam cleaning pranks yesterday I now have the results of citric acid rust removal.(yes, hangs head in shame for having rust on my pace).

Wow! Should really have taken pics. For scientific explanation and good pics google tool restoration. There is quite a scene restoring antique wood working tools. Loads of info online, which is where I learnt about citric acid. I drew the line at using a car battery and a bucket of water for rust removal, that just looked scary and wrong.

Citric acid can be sourced from fleabay and homebrew shops. I bought a small box for a couple of quid. Tipped some crystals into an old water bottle, topped up with warm water, swooshed it around then dropped rusty bits into the solution. Then left it. After a couple of hours I could see bubbles coming off the bolts, and flakes of rust floating around in the solution. Shook solution up, then left it overnight. This morning all rust gone, elbow grease free.

 

[Radar]

http://m.instructables.com/id/Removing- ... tric-Acid/

Page I initially found, nice pics showing before and after. Much clearer than teeny weeny steel bolts and washers...

 

[Thias]

Jea! I did that, too. Its very impressive.
But you will have to seal the parts instantly. because the rust will come back over night

 

[nowt-flash]

Re:

phosphoric acid is a better choice imo than citric acid,
also don't be scared of electrolysis if you do it right, and it's hard to mess up then you can get outstanding results
i have used it any number of times restoring old Optimus 111 stove cases, it will remove all rust also any paint so best to use it on things you intend a full restoration on
only real safety issue is that the process produces hydrogen gas, it's pretty volatile so a well ventillated work area is a must
the only chemical you use is washing soda crystals and you don't need much
an old fashioned battery charger works very well but a mate used an old phone charger and had good results
here's a link to another forum that i use/post to http://www.spiritburner.com/fusion/show ... e072359b4/

worth reading this, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm
there is a link in the thread that i linked too but you might miss it

if it's your 1st attempt use something old unwanted and rusty so that you can learn without buggering anything up, the only thing you can get wrong is the polarity, get that wrong and you will dissolve the workpiece instead of the SACRIFICIAL anode


atb Bill