How Remove Rust?

It is said that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

This may apply to medicine but it’s just as relevant in getting rid of rust from the metallic items and objects that you have scattered all over your house.

Keep reading to discover simple homemade solutions to remove rust.

One homemade remedy to prevent rust from forming, items made from bright steel should be painted with some DIY “wax varnish”. You can mix some of this “wax varnish” in your kitchen by dissolving one part of solid paraffin to fifteen parts of benzole. Benzole is a coal tar product made from a mixture of benzene and toluene in the proper proportions.

This is more highly recommended method in preventing rust from corroding your steel grating as compared to using fatty compounds such as “white lead” and oil.

But how do you get rid of rust once it has already started staining and corroding your precious heirlooms and mementos?

You can use a highly effective and powerful rust cleaning solution in the following proportion:

• 2.5% Phosphoric Acid
• 2.5% Muriatic Acid
• 1.0% 2-Butoxyethanol

So how does this rust cleaning solution actually work? You can have a highly accurate picture of the effectiveness of this solution by analyzing its ingredients one by one:

• Phosphoric Acid

When applied directly on the affected area, phosphoric acid converts iron oxide (a.k.a. “rust”) to a water-soluble phosphate compound.

After treatment, the reddish brown iron oxide will be converted to a black iron phosphate compound coating that may be simply scrubbed off. Believe it or not, the black compound produced can provide further corrosion resistance!

• Muriatic Acid

Aside from phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid (more commonly known as muriatic acid) can also be used as an effective rust remover. Muriatic acid is a powerful solvent that dissolves iron oxides.

But in its highly concentrated form, muriatic acid is highly toxic and corrosive and can cause severe burns to all body tissue. Fortunately, the rust cleaning solution uses muriatic acid in its highly diluted concentration and so does not pose any harm or danger.

• Butoxyethanol

More popularly known by its trade name “Butyl Cellosolve”, 2-butoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a mild odor. It is a common ingredient in lacquers, varnishes, and enamel paints as well as in rust removers and household cleaners.

• Method of Application

For bare metal, scrape off any flaky or loose rust with a wire brush. Then wash with turpentine to remove any dirt, oil or grease.

Apply liberal coating of rust cleaning solution. In the event of heavy rust, two or more applications may be necessary. This stabilizes the surface and protects against further rusting. For best results, remove all possible traces of rust using the stiff wire brush before applying treatment.

For previously painted metal, remove all cracked or peeling paint. Strip and clean the surface back to bare metal using paint stripper or heat, then sand smooth. Wipe clean of all dust and grease.

Once the surface is clean, treat bare areas with the rust cleaning solution. Allow to dry according to directions before applying two coats of paint.