Rust Removal with Citric Acid---Before and After

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by NZ GS 400, Sep 19, 2018.

  1. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Hey gang,

    In another thread concerning rust removal with Evapo Rust, I mentioned my success using solution of powdered citric acid and water. I did some research regarding the chemical action/active ingredients in Evapo Rust and came across information suggesting that citric acid may be the active (or at least the primary) ingredient.

    Well, powdered citric acid is cheap and readily available. I bought my supply for about $2.00 USD per pound here in NZ. It is food grade even. After rust removal, it makes a deliciously tart beverage that is rich in iron! :)

    I mixed a solution of 2 lbs powdered citric acid to 5 gallons of water. The chemical reaction occurs more rapidly with warm water but still works if the water is cold. In cold water, this power steering pulley took about 48 hours until complete rust removal. It actually might have been faster, but I didn't check any sooner due to work, etc. The solution can be reused multiple times. 20180915_101959.jpg 20180919_180019.jpg

    Check it out. The black you see in the 'after' pic is paint remnants. Feel free to ask any questions.
     
  2. Chi-Town67

    Chi-Town67 Gold Level Contributor

    Wow Ed, that stuff works great! It looks as if it works as well as the Evaporust but at a much better price. It seems like it may be a little slower at dissolving rust than the Evaporust but hey, that's okay, i've got more time than money. Thanks for posting!
     
    TorqueMonster1 likes this.
  3. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Sure man! Like I said, we are just coming out of winter here, so the water was quite cold. Warmer water will make it work faster. I kinda wanted to see how long it would take with the cold. Not bad at all really.
     
  4. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Evaporust doesn't work well when it is cold, too.
     
    NZ GS 400 likes this.
  5. wildcat4

    wildcat4 Well-Known Member

    Nice,
    Thanks for the research
    I will be using that in the future.
     
  6. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    ED Wait aaaaaaa minute
     
  7. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Ed can u take a picture of the box. Product came in
     
  8. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Chemistry is very temperature dependant. You make me want to do a citric acid vinegar experiment. :) Looking for powered critic acid already.
     
  9. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Did you just rinse or did you neutralize? Any flash rust?
     
  10. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Hey, It looks to be $6 a pound on ebay. Where did you get it so cheap?
     
  11. 65Larkin

    65Larkin Well-Known Member

    Looks to be a good environmentally friendly solution (pun intended ).
    I'm very tempted to get some and dip some heads in to see how it cleans up the water jackets. I know molasses works but the odour is well foul.
    Is this available at burnings or the like here in NZ or mail order?
    (Predictive changed the store name but I'll leave it)
     
  12. techg8

    techg8 The BS GS

    Lemi Shine dishwasher booster is a citric acid powder. supposed to work great in ultrasonic cleaners for cleaning brass.
     
  13. Chi-Town67

    Chi-Town67 Gold Level Contributor

  14. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Under 3 bucks a pound from Amazon:
    https://www.amazon.com/Spicy-World-Citric-5-Pound-NON-GMO/dp/B000OZFECU

    They say vinegar works very well, but I haven't tried it. I bought Evaporust for the first time this year.
    I usually just media blast, but I like the Evaporust for stuff like tools, engine parts and other things I don't want to either change the surface texture, or contaminate with an abrasive. .... going to do some bucket seat tracks next.
     
  15. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    Hum. I like this idea. My seat frames are good but rusty. 55gl drum. I see a clean frame in the future.
     
    bostoncat68 likes this.
  16. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

  17. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Hey Steve,

    There isn't a box. It comes in bulk and was packaged in a zip lock bag. Check out Bob's post above.
     
  18. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Hi Lloyd,
    I bought mine off of TradeMe. Have a look. Let me know if you can't find it. It will clean your heads up very well.
     
  19. weinh

    weinh Well-Known Member

    Just rinse will not ensure lasting results. You should neutralize with any kind of alkaline solution, like caustic Soda. Otherwise it will rust again very fast.

    If you would like to step up a notch with chemical rust removal, then use 25% salt acid and add 1% of thiocarbamide/thiourea. The latter acts as an inhibitor and prevents the metal from being eaten by the acid. Only the iron oxides will be dissolved.

    In any case use proper protective equipment, any acid can cause severe harm.
     
  20. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks for the information. I assume you mean to use those ingredients instead of the citric acid?

    By the way, I rinse and coat right away (primer, paint, or oil), depending on what the piece is.
     

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