Removing Rust

[bruce johnson]

Regarding the black surface. One of the restoration sites they mention this - and it may be in the fine print on the chelating solution directions too. This is carbon from the original steel that rusted. A fine abrasive or compound on a soft wheel will take that off.

[Constabulary]

I´m just trying the electrolysis thing for the 1st time. I have a tub full of water / soda solution (about 40 liters water + 250gramms soda) and I`m soaking a complete housing Singer 29K1 cobbler machine in it. I have checked it a couple of times and it really works well. Its seems to remove the old paint too. The old ornamentation decals are gone already and the old paint is starting to crinkle. Not sure if this is the result of the electrolysis or the permanent contact with the water / soda solution.

[paris3200]

Thanks everyone for the information. I have done electrolysis in the past for some woodworking tools. However I really didn't want to drag all of that out just for the compass.

I just placed the scratch compass in Evaporust. I will try and remember to post pictures when it comes out.

[paris3200]

The Evaporust worked great.

[msdeluca]

Great tips... thanks!

[Chef niloc]

I've used the electric method it tends to turn the surface a black color and takes additional steps with scotch brite pads to remove. I use it on handsaws because of the size of them evaporust is cost prohibitive. This time of year I buy the stand up wrapping paper storage tubs because they are narrow and tall enough for most saws.

It's very easy to scrub a large flat surface like a saw with a scotch brite pad, not so sure on a punch or something with a cutting edge.

Oxalic acid. Never tried that on anything but leather. Off to google!

Pvc pipe caped off works great for "controlled dipping/submerging" I use pvc pipe when etching knife blades.

[Geneva]

Molasses will remove rust too. If you don't mind sticky.