Steel and 'Finishes'

[tattoosteve99]

After a post from Stew

Removing rust with  Electrolysis 

Most people use a 12v car battery charger, I have two but they are both out on loan 
So after a little look around the mess that is my garage I came up with a 2amp 24v power supply,

this method produces hydrogen so only try it somewhere with good ventilation



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I hung 4 x 4” nails (anodes +) inside a plastic tub and connected the – to the Axe head
The liquid is a tablespoon full of washing soda crystals dissolved in warm water

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After about 8hours we have soup 

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After a scrub in the sink 

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After a drop of linseed oil 
Just needs a sharpen and a bit of stick now

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I hope that all makes sense 
Remember
-to Axe
+ to sacrificial steel

Please explain "washing soda crystals". And where the hell have I been to miss this

[Sparky415]

This is what it is and uses
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-washing-soda.htm#slideshow

I reckon its this stuff 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Arm-Hammer-Super-Washing-Soda-Detergent-Booster-Household-Cleaner-55-oz/19407690

 

[Farmman]

Time for a thread resurrection.  Just borrowed the vinegar from the kitchen.  Axe head is in having a bath. How long before I add the salt?

[Sparky415]

Now?

Salt is supposed to make it work better / quicker, probably?

Put the vinegar in the microwave for a min or two to warm it and stir the salt in (it can bubble over very quickly but leaves the microwave clean but smelly    )

I guess you will tell Laura its all my fault?   

Edit to add    And you should wait until shes gone out  before you wash all the black off in the kitchen sink 

[Farmman]

Ah bit late for the microwave as there is a steel axe sat in it. However I will add some salt.

[Sparky415]

Can't do any harm 

 

  Good luck Mate

[Gareth]

You know we need some pics right mate?

[Farmman]

I must have got duff vinegar. Getting more tomorrow or possibly coke.

[Sparky415]

I must have got duff vinegar. Getting more tomorrow or possibly coke.

 
Whats the outcome Mark? I use ordinary value vinegar the cheapest I can find

You could try leaving it in another day and night?

[Farmman]

Kind of removed some but has requires quite a bit of wire wool work too.

[Sparky415]

Kind of removed some but has requires quite a bit of wire wool work too.

   Chuck it back in Mate,

Just thinking, the steel wasn't oily was it? 

And don't forget you have created vingaroon, stains everything 

http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/vinegaroon-a-k-a-vinegar-black/

[David]

Great thread Tony.      Not sure how I missed this one. Glad I've now found it. Lots of good info!       Since I seem to have some rusty tools and axes.  I've spent a goodly amount of time working on axe heads with sanding sponges. Time well spent since I seem to enjoy it.     

[Sparky415]

Great thread Tony.      Not sure how I missed this one. Glad I've now found it. Lots of good info!       Since I seem to have some rusty tools and axes.  I've spent a goodly amount of time working on axe heads with sanding sponges. Time well spent since I seem to enjoy it.     

Thanks David, I tried to get some useful stuff in one thread 

Feel free to add other 'Rusty' tips 

[Farmman]

Now its gone nice and quiet on here. The vinegar trick did work on some footprints I had.  The axe must have some sort of surface protector on it

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Tapatalk

[Sparky415]

 
   Pictures?

Did you wash the black gunk off in the kitchen sink? 

 

[Farmman]

Kitchen sink! You have met the wife? I am still alive to be typing this.  No my garage has all mod cons including cold water collected from the rain water butt just outside the door. Pics will have to wait as I am now indoors and plan to stay that way.:-)

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Tapatalk

[Sparky415]

Everything you need to know about removing rust 
(Thanks Smashie    )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCuQquR-rzo

[David]

^^^             

[SteveC]

Great thread 

[Sparky415]

Just like my garage, Full of rusty steel 

 

[Syncop8r]

Is there such a thing as "too long" to leave steel in a vinegar bath?
Is there an optimum time or the longer the better?

[Sparky415]

Kinda Yes 

Take it out when the rust is gone, I know it's a silly answer but the vinegar will eat the steel when it has finished the rust (I forgot a round file for a few weeks and it wasted away  )
So put it in, leave it for a few hours then check it, repeat...

Over night will sort out most rust 

Wash the black gunk off in a sink but be careful as it will stain everything! 

[Syncop8r]

Kinda Yes 

Take it out when the rust is gone, I know it's a silly answer but the vinegar will eat the steel when it has finished the rust (I forgot a round file for a few weeks and it wasted away  )
So put it in, leave it for a few hours then check it, repeat...

Over night will sort out most rust 

Wash the black gunk off in a sink but be careful as it will stain everything! 

OK, it has been 3-4 days so that will do then!

Oh, and I watched that video above, then part 2, then part 3 instead of going to the gym. 

[TazzieRob]

I have used a rust converter that you apply, leave on for 15-30 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth, followed by a methylated spirit soaked cloth, then a dry cloth. Seems to work quite well, but don't ask me how much it costs, as I can't remember!

[TazzieRob]

I have used a rust converter that you apply, leave on for 15-30 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth, followed by a methylated spirit soaked cloth, then a dry cloth. Seems to work quite well, but don't ask me how much it costs, as I can't remember!

I checked last night, my rust converter is Phosphoric Acid. The acid transforms the iron oxide rust into ferric phosphate.
Molasses contains phosphoric acid, so a similar result to the video with the cold chisels is what you can expect if you clean off the black ferric phosphate coating

[Sparky415]

   Bump

[JBW1]

Thanks for referring me to this thread Sparky! I think the rusty viniger gunk, used as a stain is genius! What better way to pay homage to the patina than use it to re stain your handles, haha. As far as vinegar goes, does the kind of vinegar make any difference? I had tried apple cider vinegar soak for rust, referred by you tube university. Supposedly works better than white vinegar?

[Sparky415]

I have always used the very cheapest vinegar that I can find 

I think that you should use try wire brush on your axe first, if you don't like that finish you can then try the vinegar
you can't get the old finish back after using the vinegar