How to remove rust from metal?

Almost every metal product may eventually show traces of rust - a product of its interaction with oxygen, which is contained in the air. The result of the natural oxidation process is the gradual destruction of metal objects, as a result - the formation of a specific brown powder on their surface. However, throwing away and buying a new metal product is not always the most beneficial way out of the situation. In this article, we will share with you practical recommendations on how to remove rust from metal at home and thereby maximize its service life.

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What might come in handy?

There are many ways to remove rust from metal, and therefore just select the most suitable option for you. If it was not possible to achieve the desired result, then you can try using a different cleaning method.

You may need the following cleaning compounds:

• salt;
• lime;
• white vinegar;
• baking soda;
• laundry soap;
• potatoes;
• oxalic acid;
• chemical solvents;
• rust converters;
• lactic acid;
• turpentine;
• kerosene;
• brush with steel bristles;
• sandpaper;
• lemon acid.

Most of the necessary tools and tools that are needed to remove rust from metal are easily found in almost every home or hardware store.

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How to get rid of rust on metal at home?

Having correctly approached the issue, each person can quickly and efficiently clean metal products and tools from traces of rust. To get the desired result, you just need to choose one of the following cleaning methods.

The use of white vinegar

Due to the passage of a chemical reaction, in which acetic acid and rust enter, the latter dissolves and is removed from the metal surface. For effective cleaning of rust from metal, dip the product in acid and leave for several hours. After passing through all the necessary chemical processes, thoroughly clean the product from the rusty paste formed on its surface.

Important! If the item you are cleaning is excessively large and cannot be completely dipped in acid, pour the active substance on the surface of the metal and allow it to etch for some time. You can also treat the tool with a rag dipped in vinegar.

As a brush to remove rust, you can use aluminum foil, which should first be dipped in vinegar. This material also copes with the task of removing rust from metal, although it is less rigid and rough.

Important! In the absence of white vinegar, you can use ordinary table acid solution. In this case, the product must be immersed in liquid for a period of 24 hours, after which it is enough to rinse it thoroughly under running water. The main advantage of this method is the absence of the need for intensive mechanical cleaning.

Lime and salt

Helps to clean metal surfaces from traces of rust lime juice and salt. To obtain the highest quality result, adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. With a continuous layer of salt cover the rusty areas of your product.
2. Squeeze lime juice on their surface.
3. Leave the product on the pickling for 2-3 hours.
4. Perform mechanical surface cleaning.

Important! To clean smooth and brittle surfaces, you can use lime peel, which has a sufficiently high strength, but at the same time does not damage the structure of the material. In the absence of lime, it can be replaced with a lemon familiar to every resident of our country.

Baking soda

A good cleaning effect has baking soda, which must be applied according to the following instructions:

1. Mix the baking soda with water until the consistency of the slurry, so that it can be smeared on a metal surface.
2. Leave the soda-treated product for a certain amount of time to etch.
3. Wash away the rest of the detergent from the metal surface.

Important! An unnecessary toothbrush is great for cleaning the product with baking soda. After processing the material, it is enough to wash off the active substance with clean water.

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How to remove rust from metal using chemicals?

A wide variety of chemicals that can be freely purchased at any household chemical store are excellent for dissolving rust.

Typically, oxalic or phosphoric acid form the basis of such formulations, which can cause significant harm to your skin.

When using potent chemicals, do not forget about the following personal safety measures:

1. Use the product in accordance with the recommendations described in the instructions, as different compositions may differ in the basic principle of use.
2. Consider that most of these substances not only require a long etching period, but also need to be carefully removed from the metal surface.
3. Use personal protective equipment - rubber gloves, a respirator, etc. The pungent odor contained in the acid and harmful fumes can damage the skin of the hands and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
4. These cleaning products are only relevant for use with small metal products.

Important! If you want to avoid any financial waste, then rust can be removed from the metal mechanically, which involves cleaning it with improvised means, for example, a metal brush, sandpaper, grinding machine, etc.

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In this article, we shared with you recommendations on how and how to remove rust from metal at home, and we sincerely hope that these tips will help return your metal products not only to their former attractiveness, but also to their proper functionality.