Rust over time affects various metal household items. If you periodically clean the surfaces, they will look like new. Their service life will increase significantly. There are several ways to clean rust from metal. The most popular techniques will be discussed in detail below.
general description
Many owners are faced with the question of how to wash rust from metal at home. Corrosion destroys the surfaces of various objects, tools, parts. If you pay attention to its appearance, you can take timely action to remove its traces. This will extend the life of the item. It is quite possible to clean the surface of rust with improvised means.
All existing techniques can be divided into chemical and mechanical. Each of the methods that are included in one or another group are quite effective. The choice depends on the preferences of the owners. It is also worth considering for what subjects this or that technique is applied. For some surfaces, mechanical cleaning is better, and for others, the use of "chemistry".
Chemical cleaning methods include methods that involve the use of alkalis or acids. Mechanical techniques require the use of special tools to remove the top layer coated with corrosion.
Mechanical techniques
How to wash rust from metal? There are a number of simple methods. Mechanical methods are used if corrosion has not yet had time to penetrate into the deeper layers of the material. If its traces are superficial, simple manual cleaning can be dispensed with. To do this, use various improvised tools.
The easiest option is to use sandpaper. It can have a different grain size. If rust covers the product with a thin layer, it can be cleaned with sandpaper with a small grain size. This will allow for fine cleaning that does not harm the surface.
If there is a lot of rust, it covers significant spaces and forms a medium-thick layer, it is better to give preference to sandpaper with a large grain size. In this case, the processing will be rougher. Therefore, you may then need to walk on the surface with fine-grained material.
Other mechanical methods
Considering how to wash rust from metal at home, you need to consider all the options for mechanical ways to quickly get rid of corrosion.
If the thing that needs to be cleaned up is quite delicate and quickly becomes scratched, the abrasives should be very thin. In this case, a tool such as polishing paste is suitable. It contains small solid particles. They gently clean surfaces without harming them.
If the surface is not quickly scratched, you can use a regular metal brush. With its help, significant layers of corrosion can be removed.
Another simple but effective way is to use a drill with a special nozzle. In this case, rust can be removed from large areas. The nozzle is a circle on which to wear a special sandpaper of the appropriate shape.
Chemical cleaners
When choosing a tool, than to wash rust from metal, chemical compositions should be considered in detail. They are actively used in this case. There is a huge list of tools that will be effective in the fight against corrosion.
Chemical reagents can be divided into self-prepared and purchased. In the first case, the composition is prepared from the usual components that are on the farm in almost any home. They are able to remove traces of rust, which has not yet eaten much in the surface.
If the corrosion layer is significant, it was not possible to clean it with other methods, special potent compounds are used. They may be unsafe for humans. Therefore, cleaning work is carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Personal protective equipment for hands, eyes and respiratory tract will be required.
Auto cleaner
If the question arises, how to wash rust from metal in the car, you should purchase a special tool. It is sold in automotive stores. Such a composition will help to easily clean other metal surfaces. The auto-cleaner is available as a paste. It contains phosphoric acid. It is mixed with special thickeners and water.
Auto cleaners are used strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. First you need to clean the area of metal, covered with corrosion. The procedure is somewhat reminiscent of the steps in preparing the surface for painting.
Next, you need to apply a thick layer of auto cleaner on the metal. It should be at least 0.5 cm thick. After that, the product remains on the surface for 5 minutes. When the reagents do their job, they are washed off with running water. Dry the surface thoroughly. If a little rust remains in some places, the steps are repeated again.
Hydrochloric acid
In search of an answer to the question of what means to choose, than to wash rust from metal at home, one needs to consider more effective methods. If the rust is heavily ingrained in the material, you will need to resort to the help of substances such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. A special solution is prepared from them. You need to work very carefully.
So that the acid does not corrode the metal along with corrosion, urotropin will need to be added to the composition of the product. This substance will act as an inhibitor. Urotropin will not allow acid to penetrate too deep into the metal. In this case, the inhibitor will not allow rust to appear on the surface again.
To prepare the product, you need to mix hydrochloric or sulfuric acid (five percent solution) with 0.5 g of urotropin. Next, the mixture is stirred in 1 liter of cool water. Next, the tool is carefully applied to the metal. To do this, you can use a regular paint brush. If the item is small, it can be completely immersed in the product.
Vaseline oil and lactic acid
Studying how to wash rust from metal at home in the bathroom, from tools or other items that are not used for cooking, you can take on arms another way. This will require liquid paraffin and lactic acid. Instead of the first component, you can take liquid paraffin. Lactic acid is mixed with petroleum jelly (paraffin) in a ratio of 1: 2.
The resulting product is applied to the surface. He is left for a few minutes. The product reacts with corrosion. As a result, it breaks down into salts. They are absorbed in paraffin or petroleum jelly. After that, the product is washed off. After that, you can only treat the surface with liquid paraffin.
Any chemical cleaning method will be more effective if a special type of primer is used before applying the composition. It contains special active ingredients. They increase the effectiveness of the composition. Also, the primer reduces the likelihood of developing corrosion again.
Soda, potato
Considering how to wash rust from metal, you can consider several improvised means. They are useful in case you need to remove traces of corrosion, for example, from a baking sheet, frying pan or other similar items.
One popular remedy is potatoes. For this, the tuber is cut in half. Salt is poured onto the slice. Next, wipe the surface with this.
Soda is also an effective remedy. It is necessary to dilute it with water until a thick slurry is obtained. It covers a rusted area. The composition is left for 20 minutes. After that, traces of corrosion are removed with a metal brush. Often the procedure required is carried out several times in a row.
Coca-Cola, Alka-Seltzer
Often in such cases, a popular drink such as Coca-Cola is used. It effectively fights traces of corrosion. How to wash rust with Coca-Cola metal? This is one of the easiest and most effective ways. Metal needs to be marked for several hours in a soft drink.
In this case, you do not even need to rub the surface. Cola has a high acidity rating. Therefore, it easily removes corrosion from various objects. Coca-Cola includes a component such as E338. This is phosphoric acid. In order not to buy an auto cleaner in a specialized store, it is quite possible to replace it with an effervescent drink. The presented component is part of many sweet soda. You can view information about its availability on the package.
Also, Alkazeltser tablets can rid the surface of corrosion. This recipe is good for cleaning aluminum. In the tank you need to draw water. Aluminum objects are placed in it. Next, several tablets are thrown into the water. The composition is thoroughly mixed. Then let the tool work for 5 minutes. Products are removed from the tank and washed under running water. They must be thoroughly wiped dry.
Vinegar, Tomato Sauce
There are many ways to clean rust from metal. Cola or Pepsi can clean surfaces that are covered with a slight or medium layer of corrosion. However, there is another product that can effectively overcome rust. This is vinegar. Both white and normal look will do.
If the item is small, it is dipped in a container of vinegar. Here he stays for 6-8 hours. Then it is removed from the liquid, wiped with a brush or a hard sponge. If the surface is vast, it is treated with vinegar. Then the subject is left for several hours. Then they act according to the previous scheme.
It is worth noting that white vinegar acts much faster. Therefore, it is preferable to apply. The tool literally in 2-3 hours removes traces of corrosion on the material. Rust dissolves in this substance. It will just need to be erased with a cloth from the surface.
Another effective remedy is tomato paste. You can also use ketchup. Tomato paste is applied to a rusty stain. Then leave the product for several hours. It destroys corrosion. After that, rinse the tomato paste under the pressure of water. The result will be high.
Lemon juice
Choosing how to wash rust from metal, you can consider a few simple recipes. Lemon juice is also an effective anti-corrosion agent. It has a mild effect on the surface, so it is suitable for objects that were not too hit.
Lemon juice is applied to the surface. He is left for a few minutes. Then you can wash off the composition. If traces remain, you need to repeat the procedure. But with this they use abrasive brushes, sponges.
To enhance the effect, it is recommended to mix lemon juice with vinegar. You can also replace juice with citric acid powder. The effect in this case will be even better. Vinegar and juice are mixed in equal proportions. If dry powder is used, it is poured into the composition in accordance with the amount of the product. For 100 g of vinegar, you need a teaspoon of citric acid.
Next, the composition is applied to a metal surface. He is left for several hours. During this time, acid destroys corrosion. Next, the site must be thoroughly washed with a stream of water. The surface is wiped dry. If traces remain, the procedure can be repeated again.
Having considered options for how to wash rust from metal, you can choose the best way. In this case, it will be possible to return things to their former splendor and extend their life.