How to get rid of rust

Posted by Belle on September 17th, 2018

Once water gets onto metal tools, the process of oxidation occurs resulting in the production of rust. However, it isn’t there forever. These tried and tested methods are suitable for removing rust from a variety of metal items.

Method 1: Baking Soda

Lightly wet the metal item and shake it to get rid of excess water. Then cover it with baking soda, this will hold to the dampness. Let this sit for at least an hour before scrubbing the item using steel wool or a metal brush. Rinse the item again and finish by drying it. This simple method is best used on items with minimal rust such as baking pans and thin metal. The main disadvantage is the time and scrubbing effort required for it to work properly.

Method 2: Vinegar Bath

Fill a container with white vinegar and put the item in it to soak overnight. If you have an item which is too big, cover it with vinegar soaked cloths. The next day, take the item out of the vinegar and scour with steel wool or a metal brush. Most useful for removing a lot of rust from all steel items and requires little effort, although it takes many hours of waiting.

Method 3: Potato & Washing-Up Liquid

Half a potato and apply some washing-up liquid to the open face. Then use the potato to wash the rust away as if it were a scouring brush. Much like the baking soda, this would not work very effectively on heavy rust, so it is advisable to only use it on items with little rust like kitchen utensils. Make sure to do this method in a sink or area which is easy to clean up as it could cause some mess.

Method 4: Citric Acid

Fill a container with a couple of inches of hot water and add in 2 or 3 tablespoons of citric acid. Soak the metal item in this overnight and remove the following day. Wash off any remaining rust using a brush and then rinse and dry it. This stronger method means it can remove significant rust, however you must ensure that the acid won’t remove any other materials from your item such as paint.

Method 5: Lemon & Salt

Apply a full layer of salt over the rusted surface. Squeeze the juice of a lemon or lime over the salt and let it sit for an hour or two. Then scrub the rust with the fruit rind. If there is still rust on the item, repeat the process but let the mix sit for longer. More suitable for minimal stains, in particular on knives. Also this method isn’t very scratching or damaging.

Method 6: Jenolite

This is the quickest method to get rid of rust and is often more cost effective than using chemicals to remove corrosion. The problem with this technique is that the metal surface will have a slightly rough finish, therefore if you require the metal to be completely smooth you will have to try an alternative method for removing the rust. Rust converter comes in an aerosol spray can or in liquid form which can be applied with a brush.

Clean the metal corroded surface to get rid of oils and dirt Use a wire brush to remove flaked rust and paint from the metal Apply an even and thin coating of Jenolite Rust Converter to the desired area Leave it to dry (it should turn black in around 15 minutes, if it is not black after 30 minutes, add another coat) Leave it to dry for 3-24 hours before you re-paint the surface, priming may not be necessary