Help! to dissolve rust off parts?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by mandm1200
I used vinegar and it does work. I use a hand held wire brush to clean the dirt and loose rust. I let it soak 24hours and then brush it again. There is normally a little bit of rust spots and it takes and 24 hours to loosen it up.
I do want to point out one problem I had. I soaked the rear spindle flange and bolts for several days. The items cleaned up nice. When I went to torque the bolts during assembly, the first one stripped before I got to 70ft/lbs. It seems that the vinegar took enough material off the bolt threads and flange threads making it too loose to properly torque. I then had to get heli-cores put in. When doing the other side I left the bolts in the flange so the the vinegar would not eat the threads (or at least keep it too a minimum). I then purchased new bolts for both sides. I do not think vinegar is good for a long soaking for anything threaded.
The items will rust very fast if not properly finished. I use Metal Ready, from the POR-15 line of products, as soon as the items are dry. Most of the parts then look like the day they were made.
I do want to point out one problem I had. I soaked the rear spindle flange and bolts for several days. The items cleaned up nice. When I went to torque the bolts during assembly, the first one stripped before I got to 70ft/lbs. It seems that the vinegar took enough material off the bolt threads and flange threads making it too loose to properly torque. I then had to get heli-cores put in. When doing the other side I left the bolts in the flange so the the vinegar would not eat the threads (or at least keep it too a minimum). I then purchased new bolts for both sides. I do not think vinegar is good for a long soaking for anything threaded.
The items will rust very fast if not properly finished. I use Metal Ready, from the POR-15 line of products, as soon as the items are dry. Most of the parts then look like the day they were made.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Downey California
Originally Posted by omarsmgff
i think there was a post about using vinegar to dissolve rust off they had pics and looked pretty good, try doing a search! 
CLICK HERE
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: McKinney TX
Rust Away
I have always had excellent results with Sherwin Williams Metal Prep. It comes in two solutions. Metal Mate and Metal Etch. Check out the Sherwin Williams home site. This is also available from NAPA under the Martin Senior brand name but is made by the same company that makes Sherwin Williams. Metal Etch is stonger rust eater and Metal Mate is pro preping a metal surface before painting to ensure inhibit rust formation.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
There is also Metal Etch by Jasco. Should be available at most hardware stores near the painting supplies. It's citric acid. It works great and won't kill ya if a little splashes on you. I use this stuff at work for cleaning rusted steel and corroded stainless with excellent results.
