Readers Respond To “Clean Up Rusty Tools With Water” Story

Readers Respond To “Clean Up Rusty Tools With Water” Story FARM SHOP Miscellaneous Several readers responded to Jim Ruen’s story in the last issue about removing rust from tools and parts by soaking them in a bucket of plain water Some had their own variations
    Duane Ramseyer of Idaho says running water does a better job than still water at removing rust He ties tools and other rusty items to a stake or post and drops them in irrigation canals
    “It will take about a third of the rust off the first time ” he says “I’ll pound the piece with a hammer on an anvil to loosen remaining rust and put them back under the water ”
    Richard Peterson a Minnesota reader sent in a note telling us he adds orange Kool-Aid to the water An internet search suggested that any type of Kool-Aid should work due to the citric and ascorbic acids in the mix
    “I was an antiques dealer at one time and read back then about using Kool-Aid to remove rust ” says Peterson “I had a bunch of old planter plates and other rusty items Recently I dropped them into a pail of water with a packet of Kool-Aid In a day or two they were practically like new ”
    Other suggestions include a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water with some users suggesting rust could then be rubbed away in a few hours Cola drinks which contain phosphoric acid are also suggested for rust removal Perhaps the most surprising idea is to use a 9:1 mix of water and molasses
    One concern raised with acetic acid mixes such as vinegar is that they also accelerate rusting on bare metal So it’s important to rinse the items well once the rust is removed
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jim Ruen 33750 Forster Rd La Crescent Minn 55947 ph 507 895-2229; farmshowjim@gmail com

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