The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I apologize up-front for this being slightly outside the pervue of this web-site, but we have a lot of knowledge talent on this forum, which may help answer my question.

Does anyone have a good method for removing rust from steel surfaces, chiefly "spring" or higher-carbon steels ?

I collect old tools, in addition to Talking Machines, hand-saws among them.

I have a number of hand-saws that have gotten quite dark over the decades, not necessaily rough/pitted rusty, but not smooth like they once were. Some of the blades have manufacturer's logos etched on the steel, which I would like to preserve...


Does anyone have some sucessful tips for cleaning / brightening steels of this nature?

I tried Naval Jelly once, but it turned the metal black, which was NOT what I was after...

Perhaps any of you chaps with disc music-boxes ? ( Thinking of the steel discs?)

Some members of this forum have used a simple process called reverse-electrolysis to remove rust. Perhaps that would give you better results than chemical or mechanical rust removal. You should be able to search the forum for that topic.

Here is a recent thread that talks about rust removal issues, including electrolysis.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... is&start=0

Clay

I do a lot of rust removal on old tools and phonographs. If you are trying to remove large amounts of caked on rust on parts, the reverse electrolysis works well, since it only removes rust and no metal. For light surface rust on saw blades, etc. I use steel wool soaked with WD-40. If it is a large area, a wire brush on a mandrel attached to a motor is an excellent way to do it. If you want a shiny result, then polish it with a buffing wheel and jewelers rouge after removing the rust. A buffing wheel will also remove rust, if the surface is not pitted... hope this helps.

Thanks, all for the suggestions.

I will try them out and post some before & afters...




De Soto Frank