Home Remedies:
Some Things are Best Used as Intended
Buzz stirring, old wives’ tales often make great conversation pieces, and hearing that common household consumables can remove rust will certainly raise more than a few eyebrows. The better question to ask is “Who actually thought of trying this on a rusty piece of metal?” What’s even more thought provoking is what led people to even consider these products in the first place. Afterall, Coca Cola® (or just about any cola beverage) and molasses are not only common household goods, they are food products. But the ingredients or contents of these household items seemed to make sense and presented an interesting opportunity to put them to the test alongside the dedicated rust removing solutions. Some of our findings might come as a surprise while others may not. Take a look as the world’s most recognized beverage and a versatile and flavorful cooking ingredient take on iron oxide.
Coke
Beverage > Rust Buster
Who would have thought that Coke would be an effective means of rust removal? Considering that Coke has a low pH of roughly 3.4, contains citric acid, carbonic acid and phosphoric acid, and is carbonated, it seemed to have the right stuff. After putting Coke to the test, the results showed mixed results. During the first four hours, the test sample showed surprising progress on the surface rust, but little to no progress on the deep pitting. After 48 hours, the sample took some steps backwards as it began to show signs of corrosion. Did it work? Yes, to a degree. But proper solutions make far more sense and aren’t sticky. Coke should be enjoyed in a glass of ice as you observe true rust removing chemicals work on your rusted parts.
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Light surface rust is not an issue for Coke, but it does take some time.
Molasses
Like, “Slow as”
It would be interesting to meet the person who thought that using molasses would be an effective means of rust removal. Chemically and in principle, molasses removes rust effectively through a process called chelation. Simply put, the chemicals in a molasses solution would draw away the oxygen from the iron oxide and leave the iron behind. This is the same principle as Evapo- Rust, but using the molasses solution requires much more time to de-rust parts compared to every other solution, requiring a week or even several weeks to effectively remove rust. For our evaluation, molasses offered little observable progress during the short timeframe of observation of our test. But if time is not an issue, this solution could be as effective as it is inexpensive.
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The term “slow as molasses” must have been coined by someone who tried it as a rust remover.
Prescription vs. Home Remedy
Time is money to most people, and removing rust from parts quickly could expedite the process of finishing a project sooner than later. The more costly, but specially formulated chemicals designed to remove rust delivered effective results within a short window of time (all made observable progress within a four hour window.) The household solutions were not without merit, as they could have delivered useful results but would have taken much more time to achieve (with exception of muriatic acid, which was a bit more hazardous to work with and is not recommended to anyone without proper experience handling caustic and dangerous chemicals.) The home remedies also cost a lot less. However, it would be a waste of time to have to wait for them to work.
(Left) Never assume that a chemical is safe for all metals. Test them first. (Middle) Acid baths should be monitored closely to ensure that no damage is inflicted on a part. (Right) Properly neutralize acidic chemicals and dispose of responsibly. Not everything is safe for the drain.
Rust: Busted
Every chemical delivered on its promise to remove rust, from the forty-year- old technology of Naval Jelly to the latest in eco-friendly, biodegradable formulas from Eastwood and Evapo-Rust. Quickly and efficiently removing rust from your old parts or tools can be accomplished without needing to fire up a grinder or breaking a sweat from scrubbing with a wire brush. Household solutions weren’t nearly as efficient but, given the time could also offer useful results. But no one has time to wait when the progress of a restoration project or getting tools back in the toolbox pivots on waiting for home remedies to take effect. Rust removing chemicals offer a quick solution that is well worth the investment to both the enthusiast and the professional.
