Citric acid derusting

[Kayos]

I know this gets asked many times but is it as simple as just chucking the rusty stuff in a bucket of citric acid?

No chance of keeping it heated, ive got 5kg of the stuff and plenty of buckets.

What about chrome or parts with steel and aluminium?

 

[rtcosic]

Heat 'just' makes it react more quickly
It will dissolve aluminum, copper, zinc, brass etc
Theoretically, it should not attack chromium, but I don't know what it would do to flaking chrome plate.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Pretty much all there is to it...Don't put any yellow zinc stuff in it....ask me how I figured that out!

It's good at cleaning copper if you do a quick dip but keep an eye on it....and it's good at descaling the kettle too.....but it you stick it in your hot water tank then your hot water turns blue for a week (again don't ask!)

 

[Barking Mat]

I know this gets asked many times but is it as simple as just chucking the rusty stuff in a bucket of citric acid?

No chance of keeping it heated, ive got 5kg of the stuff and plenty of buckets.

What about chrome or parts with steel and aluminium?

Hiya, i found you get a better finish if you give it a degrease and wire brush first, then afterwards.

 

[Kayos]

Pretty much all there is to it...Don't put any yellow zinc stuff in it....ask me how I figured that out!

It's good at cleaning copper if you do a quick dip but keep an eye on it....and it's good at descaling the kettle too.....but it you stick it in your hot water tank then your hot water turns blue for a week (again don't ask!)

What happens with the yellow zinc?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

What happens with the yellow zinc?

Strips off the yellow coating

Have to say citric acid is one of my favourites just for the number of jobs it does around the house and garage....the other favourite ix oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) which is really handy for cleaning mould off my wooden deck and slabs etc.

 

[rtcosic]

Strips off the yellow coating

Have to say citric acid is one of my favourites just for the number of jobs it does around the house and garage....the other favourite ix oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) which is really handy for cleaning mould off my wooden deck and slabs etc.

Have you tried oxalic acid for cleaning stains from wood?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Have you tried oxalic acid for cleaning stains from wood?

Will look that up cheers

 

[Kayos]

Its bloody freezing in the shed so I've stuck 1kg in about 3 litres of water and dumped some parts in, will check them tomorrow

 

[Barking Mat]

Its bloody freezing in the shed so I've stuck 1kg in about 3 litres of water and dumped some parts in, will check them tomorrow

I would imagine as it's a chemical reaction to some extent it's temperature dependent. 1 kg in 3 litres is alot , stir well !

 

[My Old Landy]

I would imagine as it's a chemical reaction to some extent it's temperature dependent. 1 kg in 3 litres is alot , stir well !

What is the ratio? I have a box of it and a lot of rusty stuff but have refrained from using it at the moment!

 

[gordon stephenson]

When cleaning steel with citric acid, Does the vapour/fimes etc affect other steel things in the garage?, (causing surface rust etc)

 

[Kayos]

I would imagine as it's a chemical reaction to some extent it's temperature dependent. 1 kg in 3 litres is alot , stir well !

Mixed it with the hose, quick Google says just over 1kg should dissolve in 1 litre, probably not at -1 though

 

[Barking Mat]

What is the ratio? I have a box of it and a lot of rusty stuff but have refrained from using it at the moment!

I was recommended 1tbsp per litre which worked, I doubled it, it was better.

 

[Barking Mat]

I had some success with a couple of pairs of mole grips with patches of rust on, removed the rust, but not the surface finish, not chromed as such, but some kind of surface treatment.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

What is the ratio? I have a box of it and a lot of rusty stuff but have refrained from using it at the moment!

Min of 1tbls per 1ltr of water.

Add more until you get bubbles forming.
Try to remove any oil and grease.

 

[Barking Mat]

Min of 1tbls per 1ltr of water.

Add more until you get bubbles forming.
Try to remove any oil and grease.

I followed Aardvarks advice, his tips on linseed oil and wax worked a treat.

 

[Kayos]

Min of 1tbls per 1ltr of water.

Add more until you get bubbles forming.
Try to remove any oil and grease.

So 1kg in 3 litres is plenty?

 

[Barking Mat]

So 1kg in 3 litres is plenty?

Oh yeah.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

So 1kg in 3 litres is plenty?

Over kill.
But it will work.