The Ford Barn

russcc · 04-16-2021, 07:49 AM

I have several NOS cast iron parts with some very light surface rust on them in places. Is there a solution that could be applied, and rinsed off that would remove most of the light rust to save some elbow grease ?

51 MERC-CT · 04-16-2021, 07:53 AM

(c-l-r) calcium-lime-rust

KiWinUS · 04-16-2021, 08:26 AM

RUST 911
I have now used gallons of this stuff as it’s amazing.

32phil · 04-16-2021, 08:38 AM

Evapo Rust works like a charm
I use it for small parts in a small heated ultrasonic cleaning tank. Works amazingly fast and well.
Be careful with pot metal and aluminum parts. It may erode some of those items .

rockfla · 04-16-2021, 09:28 AM

Ballistol

marko39 · 04-16-2021, 10:46 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Muratic acid. Neutralize with baking soda.

tubman · 04-16-2021, 11:03 AM

It depends on the size. If they are small enough to immerse in a container of Evaporust or Rust-911 (which is cheaper but doesn't seem to work as well) without breaking the bank. that is the best way to go. Cleans them right up with no damage like acid or molasses might do.

If they're too big, I'm sure others will have some suggestions.

russcc · 04-16-2021, 11:07 AM

Thank you all. Some of these parts are NOS brake drums, exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads so spraying and neutralizing would be the best solution for these large bulky items.

hotrodcbx · 04-16-2021, 11:42 AM

I agree with Marko39!! I just found out about muriatic acid and it works great for rust and aluminum cleaning. I always dilute, about 4:1 or metal and 10:1 for aluminum. Keep an eye on your piece as this acid works relatively fast. Cheap too. Always rinse after with baking soda. Paint or oil coat ASAP as light rust can appear after treatment.

KiWinUS · 04-16-2021, 11:48 AM

I too have used Muratic acid many times. It is very dangerous but great for certain components. I like it for gas tanks. It can also flash rust as soon as it dries. Rust 911 is safe & environmentally friendly.

marko39 · 04-16-2021, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodcbx

I agree with Marko39!! I just found out about muriatic acid and it works great for rust and aluminum cleaning. I always dilute, about 4:1 or metal and 10:1 for aluminum. Keep an eye on your piece as this acid works relatively fast. Cheap too. Always rinse after with baking soda. Paint or oil coat ASAP as light rust can appear after treatment.

Parts will surface rust quickly after using muratic acid, I never used it mixed with water. I like to follow with a metal prep to prevent the rusting.

Kurt in NJ · 04-16-2021, 12:21 PM

What year brake drums??

Jack E/NJ · 04-16-2021, 12:37 PM

>>>I have several NOS cast iron parts with some very light surface rust on them in places.>>>

I'd probably leave them be and use them as is or maybe after a quick rubddown with a cloth & WD40. Jack E/NJ

deuce5wndw · 04-16-2021, 04:59 PM

Am I the only one that uses a TIP beadblast cabinet? Had mine 40 years and consider it a miracle tool!

RalphG · 04-17-2021, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce5wndw

Am I the only one that uses a TIP beadblast cabinet? Had mine 40 years and consider it a miracle tool!

I don't have a cabinet. Just a cheap little Princess Auto sand blast attachment for my air compressor. It works amazingly well on any old rusty parts. Great on cast iron like manifolds and heads. But it will take paint off too obviously so...

Krylon32 · 04-17-2021, 10:14 AM

I use GIBBS. Spray it on, let it sit a few minutes and wipe it off. If it's really tough I use a Scotch pad to wipe it off then a dry rag. A little cleanup with some wax and grease remover and I paint it.

34pickup · 04-17-2021, 01:13 PM

You could always go to the old molasses bath method. I have some parts soaking in some molasses now. Stuff comes out and you wash it and its gray just like new cast iron.

russcc · 04-17-2021, 05:31 PM

Thank you for the acid suggestion. Cut it, and sprayed it on the cast parts and did a good job of cleaning the surface rust off. Washed them off, and dunked them in a bath pf backing soda and water, and then sprayed it with WD-40 after.

Tinker · 04-18-2021, 01:41 AM

It'll rust again very quickly. Depending on the part and where you live, you will have to paint it quick. If its a exhaust manifold it'll rust no matter what you paint it with. Nature of the beast of heat.

If you are just storing nos parts in the garage, that'll work. Just dunk it in old motor oil every yr.

john in illinois · 04-18-2021, 07:03 AM

W D 40 is not a rust preventative. It soon breaks down.

Brookville Roadster uses "4 way oil" to protect bodies. If you do not get it all off it does not interfere with paint. I think it is like Gibbs which also works well but more expensive.

https://www.antiseize.com/all-purpos...enetrating-oil

John

04-16-2021, 07:49 AM	#1
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Cast iron surface rust removal I have several NOS cast iron parts with some very light surface rust on them in places. Is there a solution that could be applied, and rinsed off that would remove most of the light rust to save some elbow grease ?

04-16-2021, 07:53 AM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal (c-l-r) calcium-lime-rust __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

04-16-2021, 08:26 AM	#3
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,264	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal RUST 911 I have now used gallons of this stuff as it’s amazing.

04-16-2021, 08:38 AM	#4
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 975	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Evapo Rust works like a charm I use it for small parts in a small heated ultrasonic cleaning tank. Works amazingly fast and well. Be careful with pot metal and aluminum parts. It may erode some of those items . __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

04-16-2021, 09:28 AM	#5
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,807	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Ballistol

04-16-2021, 10:46 AM	#6
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,114	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Muratic acid. Neutralize with baking soda.

04-16-2021, 11:03 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,639	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal It depends on the size. If they are small enough to immerse in a container of Evaporust or Rust-911 (which is cheaper but doesn't seem to work as well) without breaking the bank. that is the best way to go. Cleans them right up with no damage like acid or molasses might do. If they're too big, I'm sure others will have some suggestions.

04-16-2021, 11:07 AM	#8
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Thank you all. Some of these parts are NOS brake drums, exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads so spraying and neutralizing would be the best solution for these large bulky items.

04-16-2021, 11:42 AM	#9
hotrodcbx Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 138	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal I agree with Marko39!! I just found out about muriatic acid and it works great for rust and aluminum cleaning. I always dilute, about 4:1 or metal and 10:1 for aluminum. Keep an eye on your piece as this acid works relatively fast. Cheap too. Always rinse after with baking soda. Paint or oil coat ASAP as light rust can appear after treatment.

04-16-2021, 11:48 AM	#10
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,264	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal I too have used Muratic acid many times. It is very dangerous but great for certain components. I like it for gas tanks. It can also flash rust as soon as it dries. Rust 911 is safe & environmentally friendly.

04-16-2021, 12:21 PM	#12
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,556	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal What year brake drums??

04-16-2021, 12:37 PM	#13
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,260	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal >>>I have several NOS cast iron parts with some very light surface rust on them in places.>>> I'd probably leave them be and use them as is or maybe after a quick rubddown with a cloth & WD40. Jack E/NJ

04-16-2021, 04:59 PM	#14
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 987	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Am I the only one that uses a TIP beadblast cabinet? Had mine 40 years and consider it a miracle tool!

04-17-2021, 10:14 AM	#16
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,170	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal I use GIBBS. Spray it on, let it sit a few minutes and wipe it off. If it's really tough I use a Scotch pad to wipe it off then a dry rag. A little cleanup with some wax and grease remover and I paint it.

04-17-2021, 01:13 PM	#17
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,549	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal You could always go to the old molasses bath method. I have some parts soaking in some molasses now. Stuff comes out and you wash it and its gray just like new cast iron. __________________ Matt 24:36-41

04-17-2021, 05:31 PM	#18
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal Thank you for the acid suggestion. Cut it, and sprayed it on the cast parts and did a good job of cleaning the surface rust off. Washed them off, and dunked them in a bath pf backing soda and water, and then sprayed it with WD-40 after.

04-18-2021, 01:41 AM	#19
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal It'll rust again very quickly. Depending on the part and where you live, you will have to paint it quick. If its a exhaust manifold it'll rust no matter what you paint it with. Nature of the beast of heat. If you are just storing nos parts in the garage, that'll work. Just dunk it in old motor oil every yr.

04-18-2021, 07:03 AM	#20
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,220	Re: Cast iron surface rust removal W D 40 is not a rust preventative. It soon breaks down. Brookville Roadster uses "4 way oil" to protect bodies. If you do not get it all off it does not interfere with paint. I think it is like Gibbs which also works well but more expensive. https://www.antiseize.com/all-purpos...enetrating-oil John __________________ Welcome each day