The folks over at Instructables posted one of the easiest, safest, and least abrasive ways to remove surface rust from old steel tools. We decided to share it with you!
Supplies:
Citric Acid Powder (available at drug stores or grocery stores as a health food supplement or a baking ingredient)
Warm Water
Container
Scouring Pad / Brass Brush
Rusty Parts
Safety:
Rubber gloves are a good idea
Don’t splash it in your eyes
Precautions:
Do a test before trying this on something important – I’ve noticed it caused a swan chisel to turn very slightly yellow.
Do not try this on something like a saw blade with an etching you want to preserve – it might disappear.
Other Ways to Remove Rust:
Wire Wheel on a Grinder – this is probably the quickest way to remove rust, but it’s still abrasive, so be careful around logos you want to keep.
Electrolysis – works well, but you have to be careful with batteries and water. not for the novice.
Sandblasting – very quick, but can leave a rough finish depending on the media. requires masking on painted parts.
Sanding – tedious and dirty and removes metal, but it works. sanding in very tight places can be impossible.
Advantages to using Citric Acid:
Does not remove painted finishes.
Less messy.
Requires nothing you don’t already have in the kitchen.
Can be poured down the sink (citric acid is the main ingredient of some biodegradable cleaners).
Way cheaper than sandpaper.