anybody know of a good formula to remove rust from stainless steel?
Well, if it is stainless steel, you can attach a wire brush to a drill and knock the stuff off that way. You will of course have to repolish, but it’s suprisingly easy. If it is not true stainless steel - CLR and lots of elbow grease.
One thing that I should mention, stainless steel shouldn’t be rusting in the first place. What is the thing you are trying to clean?
perhaps it is not stainless steel then. It’s just an old tube and knurled grip. they are two pieces that are screwed together and rust built up on the crack where the grip slides onto the tube.
A little trick I learned from my jewelry professor who also used to restore antique guns: Soak the item in used motor oil. It has been awhile and I’ve never done it myself, so the exact amount of soaking time I’m not sure of. I guess it could depend on how rusty the thing is. But I would leave it in there atleast over-night. You can probably take some steel wool or fine grain sanding paper to clean the goop off. It should come off a lot easier after soaking.
Soak it in plain old vinegar that you buy from the grocery store.The cheaper the better.
I like old tools. I’ll buy them when they are seemingly hopelessly rusted solid. After knocking the crusted rust off I soak the tool in vinegar. Every once in a while I’ll brush the loosened rust off with a hand held steel brush rinse off the loose rust and soak it some more.If the tool is an adjuatable wrench I’ll tap the knurled nut and soak some more.
I haven’t found one yet that I can’t get loosened up.
The rusty vinegar will stain your hands so wear rubber gloves.
Since when is stainless steel not supposed to rust, it will resist it, but it is not rust proof. Stainless steel will rust.
Um, no. Many people mistake regular, high quality steel for stainless. It’s a different alloy.
I would stick to some type of abrasive method if you can, but if that is going to ruin any threads, the grip, or if it has a finish you want to save, I’d use CLR. It has worked for me in the past.
I have also heard good things about vinegar, but I have never used it. The same can be said for lemon juice, both are acidic, so it makes sense.
I haven’t heard anything about used motor oil. Might work - I haven’t a clue.
Oxalic acid is widely used as a rust remover. It works either in liquid form, or as a paste made from crystals of the oxalate and water. Phosphoric acid would probably also work for you. Both compounds are available at any good hardware store.