Removing rust from tools
Discussion
Last week, I helped my neighbour to move her mother - she's coming to live with her as she can't manage on her own any more.
When I'd finished helping with the move, she told me to go look in the (very big) shed at the end of the garden - it was her father's workshop, and she said that I could have anything I wanted out of there.
It was a goldmine! 2 welders, assorted drills, angle grinders, a compressor, the world's biggest collection of socket sets, spanners, hammers, etc.etc.
I think I may have found the place where all the really useful sized spanners go to when they go missing!
I've got 24 Curver boxes full of stuff on 6 pallets, now in one of my sheds.
Unfortunately, about half of the tools are very rusty, as the roof of her father's shed had begun to leak. I've soaked some in Coca Cola, as I thought that it was a good way to remove rust.
Despite being left for 24 hours in coke, there is very little rust gone! I've now washed the tools clean and used wire wool to remove the rust, but it's taken ages.
Has anyone got any suggestions?
Also, how should I store them once they are clean? My garage is dry, well ventilated, but not heated. My own tools don't go rusty in there, but I don't want them to get all rusty again when they are cleaned. Should I maybe give them all a squirt of WD40 to be on the safe side?
When I'd finished helping with the move, she told me to go look in the (very big) shed at the end of the garden - it was her father's workshop, and she said that I could have anything I wanted out of there.
It was a goldmine! 2 welders, assorted drills, angle grinders, a compressor, the world's biggest collection of socket sets, spanners, hammers, etc.etc.
I think I may have found the place where all the really useful sized spanners go to when they go missing!
I've got 24 Curver boxes full of stuff on 6 pallets, now in one of my sheds.
Unfortunately, about half of the tools are very rusty, as the roof of her father's shed had begun to leak. I've soaked some in Coca Cola, as I thought that it was a good way to remove rust.
Despite being left for 24 hours in coke, there is very little rust gone! I've now washed the tools clean and used wire wool to remove the rust, but it's taken ages.
Has anyone got any suggestions?
Also, how should I store them once they are clean? My garage is dry, well ventilated, but not heated. My own tools don't go rusty in there, but I don't want them to get all rusty again when they are cleaned. Should I maybe give them all a squirt of WD40 to be on the safe side?
Thanks for all the replies!
I'll try the vinegar as we've got that in the house.
Will look for the Bilt Hamber product next week (shops here are closed on Sunday).
Was a bit nervous about the washing soda link - "This process of removing rust from steel objects is relatively safe" doesn't inspire confidence - while I'm not in any way related to Emsman, I do have an uncanny ability to mix things like electricity and water with interesting results!
I'll try the vinegar as we've got that in the house.
Will look for the Bilt Hamber product next week (shops here are closed on Sunday).
Was a bit nervous about the washing soda link - "This process of removing rust from steel objects is relatively safe" doesn't inspire confidence - while I'm not in any way related to Emsman, I do have an uncanny ability to mix things like electricity and water with interesting results!
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