BenB
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| posted on 27/9/08 at 10:06 PM |
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Removing rust with Molasses
Better late than never, here are the results of my molasses rust removal experiment.
Test subject: 2* upper swivel lock nuts.
Mollasses used in a 1:10 (by weight) ratio with tap water.
Time in solution: 48 hours
I simply mixed up the solution into some mugs and used some mig wire across the top of the mug to dangle the nut in the liquid. Obviously it's
important to ensure the nut doesn't touch the side (otherwise it might not get mollassesed!!!)
After 48 hours I rinsed them in water, stuck them in a moderate oven for 20 minutes to dry out then whipped them over to the garage and sprayed them
(whilst still warm for super quick drying time!!!)....
BEFORE:
 
Description
MOLASSES: (a whole pounds worth- and I've still got 90% left!!!)
 
Description
AFTER:
 
Description
Realistically it would have been better if I'd left them in for longer but I needed to but them back on the car!!
Alternatively, a bit of scrubbing with some wire wool would have taken the remaining black iron compounds (? phosphate) off but I couldn't be
arsed.... I reckon 72 hours and it would have been a proper job....
Summary: not good if you're in a hurry but if you want cheap de-rusting of steel parts it's a piece of piss. Apparantly it does bad mojo to
brass, copper, aliminium and non-ferrous stuff....
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jordanphd
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| posted on 28/9/08 at 08:01 AM |
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Hows it work? Is it acidic etc.?
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donut
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| posted on 28/9/08 at 10:25 AM |
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Do you lick your nuts clean? 
 
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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BenB
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| posted on 28/9/08 at 10:54 AM |
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accourding to New Scientist it's because Mollasses contains chelating agents which remove the iron oxide but not the iron itself....
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Hellfire
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| posted on 28/9/08 at 10:57 AM |
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48hrs A wire brush would have that done in in less than 48 seconds, given better results and been much cheaper (assuming you have a wire brush).
I'm sure it's much more useful for more awkward shapes but having racked my brain, I can't think of any...................
Phil
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BenB
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| posted on 28/9/08 at 04:24 PM |
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I didn't say I'd discovered the cure for world hunger!!!
I think it would be best for complicated shapes where you can't get a wire brush in... though it pleases me in a lazy kind of way that you just
dunk it in the stuff for 48 hours and it does all the work for you....
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woodster
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| posted on 29/9/08 at 09:04 AM |
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and you can use the rest of the molasses as an additive for ground bait when fishing for big bream they love it ....... isn't coca cola
better at cleaning metal
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BenB
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| posted on 29/9/08 at 09:09 AM |
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It's quite good yes. It contains the chelating agents from molasses but also phosphoric acid....
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