Rust removal differences - see results

[lgrinnings]

Howdy folks! My son just completed a science project on some different forms of rust removal and their associated results after 36 hours of soaking and wire brushing. I figured this may help some of you as the results are different and may help with patina matching in some cases. Oxalic acid worked the fastest and the best followed by lemon juice, whereas vinegar left a little rust/discoloration, and molasses and water worked the slowest leaving the most rust/discoloration (which may be a preferred result depending on the project). Here are some pictures of his results along with the materials and procedure. I hope this helps!

-Lester

Materials:

• 4 small containers or jars with lids (make sure they are completely dry)
• Labels or tape
• Permanent marker
• Rusty steel objects
• Water in varying amounts depending on solution
• Oxalic acid (2 Tbsp)
• Molasses (1:9 water)
• Lemon juice (1:1 water)
• Vinegar (¾ jar)
• Steel brush

Procedure:

Set up Jar 1

1. Add a rusty steel object to the bottom of the jar.
2. Pour in water up to the three quarter mark.
3. Add powdered oxalic acid and mix.
4. Let soak for 36 hours
5. Wire brush to remove loosened rust

Set Up Jar 2

1. Add a rusty steel object to the bottom of the jar.
2. Pour in water up to the three quarter mark.
3. Add molasses at a 1:9 ratio with the water and mix.
4. Let soak for 36 hours
5. Wire brush to remove loosened rust

Set Up Jar 3

1. Add a rusty steel object to the bottom of the jar.
2. Pour in vinegar up to the three quarter mark.
3. Let soak for 36 hours
4. Wire brush to remove loosened rust

Set Up Jar 4

1. Add a rusty steel object to the bottom of the jar.
2. Pour in lemon juice and water in equal amounts and mix.
3. Let soak for 36 hours
4. Wire brush to remove loosened rust

Controls:

1. Metal pieces
2. Each a liquid
3. Same amount of time in
4. Steel brush used on each

Independent variables:

1. Oxalic acid solution
2. Molasses & water solution
3. Vinegar
4. Lemon juice & water solution

Dependent variable:

1. Rust on object

 

[then8j]

This is great! How old is your son? Did he have to write a report to explain how they worked, and what the active ingredients were?
Thank you for posting this.

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Thank you for posting this Lester! It is always a struggle to remove rust but not go to far, your son's experiment will help us who want to keep some rust and patina.

 

[TieDye]

Now take the still rusty one and put it in Evapo-Rust. You will be amazed. It might take a couple days, but remove it, massage it a bit, and you'll know when it's done.

 

[JMack]

Oxacylic acid demo...

 

[t.c.815]

Oxacylic acid demo...

 

[t.c.815]

google electrolysis works every time ,earth friendly waste""

 

[catfish]

Love this. I hope he won !

 

[OldSkipTooth]

Good info! Thanks
Back in the late 1970’s when Taco Bell still sold their taco sauce in those little plastic containers, we use to show people what an old dirty copper penny looked like after leaving it in the hot sauce for an hour, came out brilliant shiny copper every time.

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Oxalic acid and ultrasonic cleaning vat are a winner.