How to get rid of rust?

Rust is a destructive phenomenon of interaction of metal with air oxygen. Iron oxide can turn metallic elements of communications and all kinds of sanitary engineering structures into dirty brown flakes. If the metal product has rusted - save money on buying and replacing with a new one, it's best to learn how to get rid of rust at home.

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Methods for removing rust

You can remove rust by the following methods:

• mechanical;
• chemical;
• electrochemical;
• folk.

Important! Each case requires its own individual approach. For example, somewhere it is enough to remove a rusty coating with a metal brush from the reinforcement or sheet just before painting, and in some cases, chemical means containing alkali and acids are needed to get rid of rust.

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Method # 1.Mechanical

The very name of this method implies mechanical impact on the product using abrasive materials and a manual or mechanized tool. To get rid of rust on metal, you need to use special metal brushes, emery cloth or abrasive wheels. This method is useful to remove corrosion from surfaces that have large areas and more uniform shapes.

First of all, these above surfaces must be cleaned of foreign debris and, only then, with a metal brush or abrasive wheel worn on a drill, remove rust until a clean surface appears.

Important! Use for this purpose can and grinder.

If the contaminated surface has a complex shape or rust has appeared in hard-to-reach places, you can manually remove rust.

Important! Use abrasive sandpaper or metal brushes for this purpose.

The mechanical method is only applicable to products with a sufficient thickness of metal. Make sure that the place does not become thinner than other parts of the product during processing.

Important! Using a mechanical method of cleaning, pay special attention to the protection of hands, eyes, open parts of the body. Strictly observe the safety rules when working with an electric tool.

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Method # 2.Chemical

This method consists in the use of a chemical agent against rust. It should be used to clean small parts with a complex shape.

Important! Note that the process of removing traces of corrosion you can spend from several minutes to several hours. It all depends on what composition you will use.

Safety instructions

As a rule, chemical compounds are corrosive liquids that react with metal and iron oxide( rust), so adhere to these rules:

1. Using chemical rust solvents, work in a well-ventilated, ventilated space, as in the cleaning processdifferent harmful vapors may be released, including pairs of acids.
2. Handle chemical products very carefully, as they can cause chemical burns if they get on the skin or mucous surfaces of a person's body. Work only in special protective clothing.
3. Strictly follow the instructions to the selected tool against rust, as the method of application can be different.

Important! In case of contact with the skin, rinse immediately with plenty of water and contact a hospital.

Kinds of solutions

To get rid of rust at home, you can use different types of chemicals.

Chemical solvent

Is the most popular and modern means of fighting rust. In its composition, phosphoric or concentrated oxalic acid, which contribute to the complete removal of the oxide from the metal.

Similar to rust against aerosol paint, it can also be used as a primer for a paint layer. Use the solvent as follows:

1. With a hard brush, first remove the peeling rust.
2. Apply evenly to the rusted area the solvent.
3. After 30 minutes, wipe the area with a cloth.
4. After removing corrosion, treat the metal with a deterrent.

rust converter Today, this rust remover is very popular. It can stop the corrosion process. In other words, this means converts rust into a protective film by the principle of preservation.

The rust converter stops its development and causes a completely different function: rust changes its composition into chemically pure iron.

Important! The minus of using this tool is a change in the color of the surface of the metal( it becomes blue-violet).

Converters are available in the form of a spray, solution and suspension. Before you can get rid of rust through such a chemical, you need to clean the metal from the peeled rust.

Important! Remember that after using the rust converter, the surface must be painted.

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Method # 3.Electrochemical

To use the electrochemical method requires a direct current source and a special solution - electrolyte. The scheme of your actions to get rid of rust in this way will be as follows:

1. Clean the part to be placed in the electrolyte.
2. Connect the negative contact of the current source directly to the part so that it does not come into contact with the electrolyte.
3. Connect the positive contact to the electrolyte.

Important! When the voltage is connected, an electrochemical reaction will begin that will separate the iron oxide from the part. Rust will settle on the bottom of the solution. The cleaning process is much faster due to electricity. It can be used both for small parts of complex shape, and for large parts, it all depends on the presence of electrolyte and packaging.

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Method # 4.Folk remedies against rust

The use of folk remedies refers more to the chemical method. However, these funds can clean small contaminants without the use of special reagents and electrolytes, and are also less dangerous.

Important! The effectiveness of these tools against rust is not so high, but to clean the plaque of corrosion small parts with the help of these tools is possible.

Many products available in every home can become reliable assistants in the fight against iron oxide. Let's consider some of them.

Lemon or citric acid

To get rid of rust, buy a small package of citric acid in any supermarket and use it this way:

1. Pour the acid into the prepared container.
2. Pour hot water into the container so much that the object to be cleaned is completely immersed in it.
3. Put the object in the solution overnight.
4. In the morning, take out the product, rinse and dry it.

White vinegar

Vinegar comes into contact with corrosion, dissolving it and removing from the surface:

1. Soak the product in white vinegar.
2. Wait for several hours.
3. Scratch the rusty paste from the metal.

Important! To help you get rid of rust, consider these tips:

• If the object is large and can not be completely immersed in vinegar, pour the product onto the surface to be cleaned and allow time for the dressing. In this case, you can simply wipe the product with a dampened cloth in the vinegar.
• Aluminum foil is dipped in vinegar, use foil instead of a brush to remove rust. It is less rough compared to a steel washcloth, but nevertheless, rust will remove.
• If you are using ordinary vinegar, soak the rusty product in it for 24 hours, and then rinse. This method does not require intensive cleaning.

Soda

Baking soda - also a good remedy for rust, if you use it this way:

1. Dilute baking soda with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.
2. With a mortar, spread a rusty place.
3. Leave the product for 30 minutes for pickling.
4. Clean the surface of baking soda with a toothbrush.
5. Use a metal brush to remove any rust.
6. Rinse the surface with water and dry.

Important! For greater efficiency, repeat the procedure several times.

Potatoes and laundry soap

Fresh potatoes contain oxalic acid, which will help you in the fight against iron oxide. If the rusty stain is small( for example, on the blade of the knife), then sprinkle the cut potatoes with salt and clean the product with it. You can hold potatoes and salt on a rusty site for about 15 minutes, then rinse and dry.

To get rid of rust, you can use potatoes together with laundry soap. In this case, proceed as follows:

1. Cut the vegetable in half.
2. Apply a soap on the slice - this will make rust removal easier.
3. Put the potatoes on the metal for a few hours.
4. Wash the product and dry.

Important! To re-use this method, cut off a piece of potatoes that participated in the reaction and apply soap on it, and then keep the potatoes on the product for a longer time. If you do not have laundry soap, use baking soda and water in combination with potatoes.

Coca-Cola and other sparkling water

American housewives began to use Coca-Cola for the first time, who noticed its effectiveness in the fight against rust: it's all about phosphoric acid. Place the part in the beverage and leave until the rust disappears, then rinse and wipe with a dry rag.

Alka-Seltzer

This tool can be used to get rid of rust on aluminum dishes:

1. Place the container to be cleaned.
2. Fill with water
3. Add 4-6 tablets of the medium.
4. After 10 minutes rinse with clean water.
5. Wipe and dry the dishes.

Oxalic acid

When using this product, take precautions: wear rubber gloves, protect your eyes with glasses, and clothes - with a bathrobe.

Important! Do not breathe fumes of this acid in any way.

Use oxalic acid as follows:

1. Wash rusted object with dishwashing detergent.
2. Rinse the product with water and dry it thoroughly.
3. Mix 25 ml( 5 tsp) of oxalic acid with 250 ml of warm water.
4. Immerse the object in the solution for 20 minutes.
5. Clean the product with a brush.
6. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

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How to remove rust from the toilet?

When water flows from the tank, a thin red band appears on the surface of the toilet bowl. To get rid of contamination, first of all repair the drain, and then remove the contamination with a special toilet cleaner. Leave it on for an hour, then wipe it gently with a rag and rinse with water.

Important! Other aggressive agents can be used to remove rusty stains: the alkaline agent "Domestos", the acidic "Cillit", "Coca-Cola" or "Sprite", dry oxalic acid( wet rag into a dry acid and wipe the rusty area) .

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How to prevent rust?

Remove rust marks from metal surfaces in a timely manner. To do this, you can use household chemicals, food products, but it is better to prevent the appearance of iron oxide by following simple recommendations:

1. Keep metal dry.
2. Thoroughly dry the metal after it comes into contact with water.
3. After corrosion removal, take care of the surface protection: conduct anticorrosive impregnation, color or varnish the surface.
4. If the surface of the metal is smooth, then apply a primer - aerosol, rough surface primer with filler, which will fill all the irregularities and depressions.
5. Paint the metal with a better brush to provide better grip.
6. Cover the paint with a transparent coating to reduce the oxidation rate.

We wish you good luck in the fight against rust!