The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
  

  -----

Need help removing BAD rust!

Q. I am trying to remove real bad rust on an old 1920's hand wrench, a very old stove top kettle, and lock. I've tried CLR ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , sandpaper. And nothing works please help!

CLR ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links]
- North East, Pennsylvania, USA
2001

A. Try and scrape off as much of the rust off as you can. CLR ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and sandpaper should work, but maybe there is a lot of caked-up rust. You could also try muriatic acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , but CLR or sandpaper really should work if the rust is not too thick.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan

A. CLR ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] [Cal / Rust / Lime Remover] is a rust remover (there are other brands out there) which have complexing agents which also dissolve hard water deposits, and remove some stains.

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania

A. Mary,

I have cleaned an old stove top kettle by bead blasting (or sand blasting). Perhaps you could find a shop near you that does this. Most of the rust removers I know of will not get all the rust out of the rough surface. You might try "naval jelly ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ". Just make sure after you get the rust off to coat the metal with rust preventive oil or other finish to stop the return of more rust, which will not take too long as you will have very bare metal.

Good luck,

Ed Kay
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA