Cleaning old major rusty iron

dlax · Aug 24, 2016

I've found a lot of hand-forged old iron nails and would also like to clean up this chain. What's the best way to go about really rusty iron? I don't own the special machinery you guys talk about a lot, so "home remedies" suggestions are preferred! Probably junk to a lot of people but I would like to clean it up a bit, if possible. THANK YOU!

DIGGER27 · Aug 24, 2016

dlax said:
I've found a lot of hand-forged old iron nails and would also like to clean up this chain. What's the best way to go about really rusty iron? I don't own the special machinery you guys talk about a lot, so "home remedies" suggestions are preferred! Probably junk to a lot of people but I would like to clean it up a bit, if possible. THANK YOU!

View attachment 359726

Electrolysis would be the easiest.
Lots of info on easy to make set ups here if you do a search.
Most use it for better things like rusty knives, locks and other things but if you want to clean an old chain or nails instead go for it.

Oldsjunkie · Aug 24, 2016

DIGGER27 said:
Electrolysis would be the easiest.
Lots of info on easy to make set ups here if you do a search.
Most use it for better things like rusty knives, locks and other things but if you want to clean an old chain or nails instead go for it.

Yep. Five gallon bucket, couple pieces of rebar and a battery charger and you're in business! Good luck and HH!

dlax · Aug 24, 2016

DIGGER27 said:
Electrolysis would be the easiest.
Lots of info on easy to make set ups here if you do a search.
Most use it for better things like rusty knives, locks and other things but if you want to clean an old chain or nails instead go for it.

thanks - it'll be practice for the day that I eventually find better things

Icewing · Aug 31, 2016

I too like electrolysis because it leaves that black iron antique look, but if you want something to be chemically cleaned and new you can soak it in muratic acid. It all depends on the desired outcome but both work well.

Bespride · Aug 31, 2016

I was recently looking up on preserving iron relics and came across a video with Steve Phillips talking up Gempler's Rust Converter.
I don't know the man or if he frequents here but he seems to know his relics.
I have some horseshoes I'm going to cleanup and try this stuff on after cider vinegar soak.
https://youtu.be/p5yIgju2R7k
He has some neat vids of unloading and cleaning up a Civil War James shell cannonball.
https://youtu.be/ZYkDwK-EO7Y
https://youtu.be/KjbQN0gVzFc

Cleaning old major rusty iron

dlax

Elite Member

DIGGER27

In Memory Of

Oldsjunkie

dlax

Elite Member

Icewing

Elite Member

Bespride

Full Member

Similar threads