Wood bleach (oxalic acid) rust remover

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I've been using wood bleach for several years to remove rust. Pretty inexpensive and it works well.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up two engines and a few other Model A related items. Included with them were 6 spark plugs. To give folks an idea as to what wood bleach can do I put the spark plugs into a solution of about a quarter cup of powdered wood bleach and about three cups of water for 48 hours.

I purposely didn't clean the spark plugs prior to putting them into the solution and didn't disturb them while they soaked.

1st picture is how they looked going in, 2nd is close to the end of the 48 hour soak, 3rd picture is after a light scrub with a nylon brush under running water and the 4th picture shows the plug on the lower right after a couple of minutes of wire brushing with a fine grade wire wheel.
Not only does it remove rust well it makes the porcelain on spark plugs look like new.

Freeing up rusted window regulators, door latch assemblies etc... using this method works well too.

Just thought that folks might find this useful.

[Brentwood Bob]

Might work on my shocks. Do I look for oxalic acid, or wood bleach?
Toxic to humans. Might stick to acetic acid, aka vinegar.

[Bob Johnson]

Auto parts stores use to sell a 2 part radiator cleaning product. The first part was Oxalic Acid which you put in the radiator with plain water. Then you ran the engine for about an hour. The second part was Baking Soda which was used to neutralize the acid.


Bob

[Ray64]

i used oxalic acid for years to remove foundry fallout rust from my cars. Cleans bumpers and chrome with no apparent problem RAY

[Grier]

Oxalic acid is used a lot on pleasure boats to clean rust and stains. You can buy premixed solutions at any marine store like West Marine. One product is called “On Off”. However I think mixing your own solution would be less expensive.

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Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

Might work on my shocks. Do I look for oxalic acid, or wood bleach?
Toxic to humans. Might stick to acetic acid, aka vinegar.

Look for wood bleach. You will find it at your local hardware store in the same area that they sell paint.

[LeonardS]

Oxalic acid is used by beekeepers to kill mites on the bees. It is vaporized in the hive and works great, especially when used during periods of low/no brood in the hive.

[Brentwood Bob]

Might give it a try. Rust is not my friend.

[Fhane]

Maybe before using oxalic acid try to Google side effects of oxalic acid.

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Originally Posted by Fhane

Maybe before using oxalic acid try to Google side effects of oxalic acid.

Here is a link for an MSDS for wood bleach.
https://savogran.com/pdfs/Wood_Bleach_MS.pdf

[Brentwood Bob]

Not worth it. My luck I would rub my eyes, or splash it on something, or heaven forbid, not wash my hands before a bathroom break.

[Big hammer]

That’s what is nice about Evaporust, non toxic, will not hurt you hands or skin, your plants garden or lawn will love you and green up, or you can pour it down you drain if it isn’t contaminated by oils