Rust Removal Chemicals (Evaporust)

[mightymig]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Flow Rust Remover available through FlowChem and how it performs against Evaporust?

The way people herald Evaporust as a cut above the rest, it’s hard not to want to buy 5 litres of it.

However, Flow Rust Remover is clearly trying to copy Evaporust with matching bottles (see attached pictures). The main benefit if Flow Rust is near in performance is that it costs £40 for 20 litres with 20% off your first order, and Evaporust best price on Amazon is £37 quid for 5 litres!

Anyone with experience of both got anything to comment?

Cheers

 

[fizzy]

Citric acid is far cheaper!

 

[Ross365]

There is lots of discussion on here about Evaporust and citric acid on this forum, but Flow seems new. Everyone has their own favourite; I'm generally happy with citric acid, which used to sold in Wilkos .

 

[mightymig]

I like the idea of citric acid and in fact have a fair bit in the cupboard. However, I’m really trying to be gentle with this metal as it is a precision ground bottle square with very light surface rust and no pitting. I’m just trying to steer clear of rust conversion and stick to rust removal as gentle as possible with some light agitation.

Also looking at Flow they have absolutely photoshopped their label over an Evaporust bottle and flipped the image lol

 

[Ross365]

I’m really trying to be gentle with this metal as it is a precision ground bottle square with very light surface rust and no pitting. I’m just trying to steer clear of rust conversion and stick to rust removal as gentle as possible with some light agitation.

A lot of the work I do is on old radio parts, and again the emphasis is on being gentle and not wanting any rust-conversion material (e.g. phosphates) left on the surface, and that is why I like citric.

 

[fizzy]

I like the idea of citric acid and in fact have a fair bit in the cupboard. However, I’m really trying to be gentle with this metal as it is a precision ground bottle square with very light surface rust and no pitting. I’m just trying to steer clear of rust conversion and stick to rust removal as gentle as possible with some light agitation.

Also looking at Flow they have absolutely photoshopped their label over an Evaporust bottle and flipped the image lol

Use white vinegar - very gentle and will do the job - just keep your eye on it.
Citric would be ok as well - again don't use too strong and keep checking on it.

 

[mightymig]

A lot of the work I do is on old radio parts, and again the emphasis is on being gentle and not wanting any rust-conversion material (e.g. phosphates) left on the surface, and that is why I like citric.

I won’t attest to knowing much more than that there is rust removal and conversion. I’ll take your word for it sounds like a good option. Cheers

 

[Migmac]

Buy 5l and do a test for the forum

 

[Seadog]

Electrolysis is another approach

 

[mightymig]

I can’t lie, after watching some videos citric acid and Evaporust don’t look far apart!

 

[mightymig]

Any experts in here please could you weigh in on this question. I’ve googled and read multiple threads and some people say electrolysis will still remove albeit small amounts of good metal, and others say it removes nothing whatsoever and it’s what conservation restorers would use as it’s so gentle on good metal?

Confused now damn internet forums

 

[mightymig]

Buy 5l and do a test for the forum

To be honest I might! I’ll update the thread if I do, but I just bought a litre of ACF-50 and I don’t want to spend much more on chemicals now haha - I think I will buy Evaporust first or do electrolysis for this use case, just to be extra careful. On derusting my hand tools and spanner’s etc I will 100% use citric.

 

[julianf]

I would be surprised if electrolysis removed metal.

Its the same process uses in, for example, copper plating, where you are actually laying down metal.

Now with steel, you are not laying down metal, but you can see that the electron flow is such that there really isn't anything trying to remove the metal from the cathode end.

My own feeling is that electrolysis removes rust by localized gasing as much as anything else, but, again, this isn't going to remove good material.


If you want to compare evaporust and the other one, pull the cossh sheets and see what is in them both.

 

[Smallfry]

Use white vinegar - very gentle and will do the job - just keep your eye on it.
Citric would be ok as well - again don't use too strong and keep checking on it.

White vinegar is good for all sorts of things. I would add that it can be got in various strengths.

And its relatively cheap.

 

[mark roberts]

Any experts in here please could you weigh in on this question. I’ve googled and read multiple threads and some people say electrolysis will still remove albeit small amounts of good metal, and others say it removes nothing whatsoever and it’s what conservation restorers would use as it’s so gentle on good metal?

Confused now damn internet forums

Dont quote me but I think it depends on what your rusty part is made of. If steel is left too long it will remove metal but if its say cast iron you could leave it indefinately with no ill affect. I think

 

[daedalusminos]

I use citric acid and Evaporust - each has their place.

Citric tends to be harsher, can remove good metal and can leave the surface with a fine chemical shot blasted or etched finish. The amount of good metal removal seems to depend on alloy composition (among other things) but I would not use on close toleranced parts.

Evaporust does not appear to remove good material.

Not tried Flow rust remover but I wouldn't be surprised if it's not just based on citric acid...key phrases suggesting this may be the case:
"acidic formulation"
"phosphate free"
"Biodegradable and hazard free"

 

[mightymig]

I've dug out 2 really old battery chargers, got some soda crystals and some 0000 wire wool / kerosene. Lets see what happens, just need to pop down Tesco for some de-ionised water (seems fussy but im this far in so why not)

Cheers all

 

[julianf]

I've dug out 2 really old battery chargers, got some soda crystals and some 0000 wire wool / kerosene. Lets see what happens, just need to pop down Tesco for some de-ionised water (seems fussy but im this far in so why not)

Cheers all

De ionized water???

You know that the whole process works on ions?

 

[MattF]

Bog standard tap water is fine.

 

[mightymig]

De ionized water???

You know that the whole process works on ions?

Yes that's why you add back sodium carbonate I believe? I would think bog standard tap water would be fine as well.

Tempted to chuck a car battery in the mix instead of just the charger but ill give it a try first