# How do I get rust off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787 "2002-11-20T19:27:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/1 "2002-11-20T19:27:20Z")
I’ve got a take-down bow and thanks to the high humidity here there’s some rust that’s formed on the screws that hold the arms of the bow in place. What’s the best way to get rid of the rust? It’s mostly on the rough edges of the head of the screws – they’re big ones that are meant to be screwed in by hand. I don’t really know anything about de rusting things, and all web searches have turned up is people trying to sell me anti rust paint :). ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/2 "2002-11-20T19:53:35Z")
I’d try rubbing them gently with a mild abrasive pad (fine steel wool or white Scotchbrite) and WD40. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/3 "2002-11-20T19:53:44Z")
Try [http://www.shorechemical.com/Section%207%20Tech%20Sheets/naval\_jelly.htm](http://www.shorechemical.com/Section%207%20Tech%20Sheets/naval_jelly.htm) Naval jelly got the rust off my engine block before I painted it. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/4 "2002-11-20T22:56:45Z")
Using a wire brush to remove the surface scale rust, and then scrubbing with ZUD (a cleanser specifically formulated to remove rust, available at most hardware stores) should bring the surface of the metal clean enough for you. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/5 "2002-11-20T23:11:15Z")
Storing with a few pieces of chalk, to absorb moisture, may prevent a recurrence. Replace the chalk when it starts getting gooey. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/6 "2002-11-20T23:20:12Z")
Thanks a lot! To prevent recurrance I’m planning on making myself a cool little carrying case for it and chucking some sillicon packets in. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/7 "2002-11-21T13:56:22Z")
Phosphoric acid is pretty useful-- but I’d remove the screws first. ---
**Author:** ![stevephillips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@stevephillips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevephillips)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/8 "2002-11-21T14:46:58Z")
If you are going to take the screws out, here is a procedure that works amazingly well: [http://www.oldwwmachines.com/FAQ/electrolysis.asp](http://www.oldwwmachines.com/FAQ/electrolysis.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/9 "2002-11-21T16:41:10Z")
Note: You can get naval jelly at most home improvement stores. I got mine at Home Depot: completely refurbished the hinges on my outside screen door. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rust-off/137787/10 "2002-11-21T18:18:42Z")
Gentle, rhythmic stroking motions. ::d&r::