How to clean rust?

Share your phonograph repair & restoration techniques here
Post Reply
Layla
Victor Jr
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:56 am

How to clean rust?

Post by Layla »

How to clean rust without aggressive chemicals and scratching metal brushes / sanding paper?

I heard about soaking 16h in white vinegar or coca cola. Any suggestions?

I don't have tools for a electrolysis rust removal process.

User avatar
12jslater
Victor II
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:11 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, Uk
Contact:

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by 12jslater »

For electrolysis you only need a transformer from mains to dc 6-12v is best, get a cheap mobile phone charger (for about £2)an old spoon as an electrode, a non metallic bowl and some salt and you're set.

Otherwise I used to use white vinegar which takes elbow grease.

Dave D
Victor IV
Posts: 1222
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:43 pm
Location: Port Huron, MI

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Dave D »

Evaporust works wonders and is safe for you and your parts. I get it at auto parts stores.
Dave D
Attachments
evaporust.jpeg
evaporust.jpeg (31.83 KiB) Viewed 3305 times

User avatar
Retrograde
Victor III
Posts: 959
Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 1:47 pm

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Retrograde »

Dave D wrote:Evaporust works wonders and is safe for you and your parts. I get it at auto parts stores.
Dave D
I second this recommendation for removal. I got it at Walmart.

User avatar
Curt A
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6412
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:32 pm
Personal Text: Needle Tins are Addictive
Location: Belmont, North Carolina

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Curt A »

Since there are not many Walmarts in Europe, you can order EvapoRust from the following website in the UK:
https://www.frost.co.uk/evapo-rust-supe ... allon.html
https://www.frost.co.uk/answer-question ... infomation
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife

Layla
Victor Jr
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:56 am

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Layla »

Thank you. First I will soak every part in white spirit. Then I will soak it for 16h in white vinegar and brush it gently.

Layla
Victor Jr
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2017 4:56 am

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Layla »

I am happy with the results. When I fix the gramophone I'll post pictures of it.

First I soaked the metal parts in white spirit for 24h to degrease.

Then I brushed (cleaned) them and soak them for about 14h in white vinegar.

However apple cider vinegar should work better, I used white vinegar :)

Then I brushed it again and let it soak again for 3-4 hours.

All metal parts were was black/dark gray. I cleaned them with dishsoap + dish Sponge and make them shiny again. After drying it was clearly visible that rust was coming back. Then I made a bath with water and baking soda and soak them for an hour, I don't know if this was useful.

I oiled it as a protection against corrosion and oxidation. The parts are rust free :)

User avatar
briankeith
Victor IV
Posts: 1874
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:27 am
Personal Text: Jeepster
Location: Blairstown, New Jersey 07825

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by briankeith »

I built four of these - all different sizes - easy and cheap to build - I feel this is the best and safest way to remove rust and crudy old grease and paint. Watch!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ADeB6V1rQ

Just remember to use WASHING soda not BAKING soda - big big difference!
Attachments
0003320003020_500X500.jpg
0003320003020_500X500.jpg (54.76 KiB) Viewed 3048 times

User avatar
Ultraphon
Victor Jr
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 2:47 pm
Location: Hohenmauth CZ

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by Ultraphon »

I'm using spirit vinegar (8% solution as it's sold here).Must be thoroughly neutralized, otherwise the metal will catch rust again.

User avatar
oldphonographsteve
Victor II
Posts: 372
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:45 pm
Personal Text: I'm the guy that found the fault in asphalt
Location: Connecticut
Contact:

Re: How to clean rust?

Post by oldphonographsteve »

This may be a bit unconventional, but I have used diet Pepsi in the past to remove inordinate amounts of rust from a crank. I just let it soak for several hours and after that, I scrubbed it hard with steel wool. All the rust came off!

-Stephen

Post Reply