| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----Rust Removal from Zn and Steel
2007
Hi,
May I know which chemical or process removes rust from Zn or Steel without actually "eating" into the parent metal itself? I.e the chemical or process do not react with the Zn or Steel.
Much thanks,
Student - Singapore
An inhibited hydrochloric acid will remove rsut from steel with litle attack on the steel. Zinc is a very active metal so it can be hard to remove white rust in acid without harming the zinc, but phosphatizing should work.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007
For zinC you can use 5% EDTA solution(pH7),for steel 5% ammonium citrate(pH3,5).Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb,Croatia
2007
Thank you very much!
Rudy Elfian- Singapore
2007
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.
