Molasses and rust removal.
 

I promised some more info on the molasses rust removal treatment so here it is.

Sulphated molasses has been used to remove rust from iron and steel for centuries. Possibly ever since the first drunken pirate dropped his flintlock in some on a Caribbean island as molasses is a byproduct of sugar cane.

According to a PhD Chemist friend the sulphur creates a weak organic acid. This acid does not attack the base metal as do the acids many of us are familiar with; sulphuric, muriatic (diluted hydrochloric), phosphoric (naval jelly).

The molasses must be the sulphated variety which is usually found in feed and grain stores as a component of horse feed. It is sold in 55 gallon drums but the stores will pour into your or their 5 gallon pail. Cost is roughly $15 for 5 gallons.

The other ingredient is water.

Ratios of 3 and 4 parts water to 1 part molasses work well. Less concentration will also work but takes more time.

The mixture will attack aluminum so do not use any for the container. Steel, cast iron and plastic are fine as long as they are clean. Start with warm to hot water and mix in the molasses slowly, making sure it is completely dissolved. Heat speeds up the rust cleaning process also so plan accordingly with the container selection.

During 90 degree summer days a block will be finished in 10-14 days; a bit less for heads. Sheet metal, small parts about 5-10 days.

The mix will often remove thin flaking paints but it has no effect on oil, grease, dried crud, etc. A commercial hot tanking would be ideal but is often not convenient. I use various solvents and a pressure washer as the alternative.

The concoction creates a rather nasty looking crud on the surface; it will also get quite ripe so dont do this in the garage next to the wifes car or laundry machines.

After 3-4 days to a week, remove the item, scrape off or pressure wash the crud and skim the top layer in the container. You will have to experiment with the process the first time or two to get a feel for whats involved in a particular enviroment. A covered container is best but I've had decent results in even an open cast iron watering trough.

Ive gone into the mix with bare hands at times but I suggest a pair of cheap dishwashing gloves.

The useful life is until it doesnt work any longer. Cover it until needed again and top off any evaporated water. For instance, I've used one drum load for 5 blocks over a period of about 7 months. One guy forgot about a set of flatheads and left them in a barrel for 5 months, no damage.

Disposal can be down the drain or in the garden since it is enviromentally friendly. For garden or lawn dilute with more water as it can burn roots; it is a powerful fertilizer. It also seems to keep root eating grubs away.

Besides blocks, heads, intakes, exhaust manifolds; Ive cleaned straight axles, wishbones, wire and steel wheels, Model T sheet metal, tools and all sorts of other odds and ends.
It also does a good job on carbs but dont leave them in very long; Check daily. The same for general automotive potmetal once the chrome is stripped with a cyanide solution.

Blocks and heads will look like they were just cast, all waterjacket scale is gone.

Since the cleaned parts are virgin metal they will flash rust quickly in a hot moist area. Wrap, prime, oil as needed.

The 1926 Model T coupe hotrod Im building was a basket case body; rust and rot everywhere and too fragile to even media blast. I broke it down to individual small parts (the body is comprised of many small bolted together parts, virtually no welding) and dunked. Then I cut, formed and rolled pieces as needed and hammer welded in place. There are almost no replacement panels available.

There are many ways to dissolve rust, some very fast and dangerous. Others are quite expensive. Molasses will not be for everybody, it is just an alternative that appeals to my desire to be frugal at times so I can spend on something I HAVE to buy.

Since I pecked this out over a few days I cant guarantee it makes much sense. Fire away with any questions or suggestions.

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Carl

Don't have too much to add as I had never heard of such a procedure. I wish you lived closer. It would be neat to see how well it works. You mentioned foundry condition. Have to say that sounds better than a hot tank. Even if it is slow. What's the largest item you ever cleaned this way.

We'll have to swing by Georges sometime so he can show his around the corner sandblasting trick he was bragging about a few days ago. The one advantage to blasting is you don't have to worry about your skin getting old (at least not with my protective equipment anyway)

'fenders

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Longest is an I beam axle, 35-6 Ford rear wishbones and some front bones that I did one side at a time.

Biggest has been a V12 Lincoln block. Several Y and flatheads also. Dunked 4 35 Ford wire wheels at once.

A guy on HAMB says he is going to dunk a complete Model A coupe bodyOo.

Ive a 200 # capacity blaster but its a pain to use particularly if Im using different media. These days its used strictly for frames.

Ive also quickly dunked aluminum intakes; comes out looking so much nicer than media blasting. I make a point of never bidding on blasted aluminum on EBay.

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Carl, Just a quick question for clarification.

Pressure washing with plain water is the clean-up after the part has soaked?

Thanks,

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Correct Paul, that or a garden hose.

When you remove the work it will be partially covered with a black film. Hose water and some stiff bristle brushes if you dont have a pressure washer.
I use a Campbell-Hausfeld 120VAC unit I picked up on sale at WalWart some years back. One of my favorite tools. I can nail the cat at 30'
:-fire

Molasses and rust removal.
 

CARL,
i never heard of this procedure before.
ill have to try it now that i wire wheeled most of the big stuff.
all i got is little odds and ends.
does it dissolve any kind of metal??

swanny

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Swanny, it will not dissolve good steel or iron, just the oxides (rust)
It will dissolve aluminum, babbit, cadmium, potmetal if left in long enough. Those items also mess up the solution so dont reuse for iron/steel.
I keep one container just for potmetal.

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Hey 286merc,

Do you use the same name on the HAMB? If it is, Hello to another Hamber, I use the same name.

anyhow, on the molasses, I did a pair of heads a couple of years back. It works. I haven;t t read th entire post, but if you are working on engine parts, (and this is a duh comment) but douse the parts with WD 40 to prevent rusting, I learned that the hard way, when one head started to rust almost instantly after drying. anyhow youv'e probably already covered that.

some people still don't believe me. i posted this a couple of weeks ago on a "rust removal" thread and no one even bothered to acknowledge. Ah well, it works.

Rey

Molasses and rust removal.
 

Hey Rey, yep its still me.
I just tone it down a bit here for the sensitive guys:'(

Awful hard a times considering the abuse I have to put up with:-X14

Going to make molasses believers out of these infidels yet.

Molasses and rust removal.
 

I have a Wheelbarrow with a Galvanised Tray whuch has surface rust mainly on the bottom and would like to know if I could use Mollasis to remove the rust and what would be the best method.
For example could I simply pour some Mollasis into the bottom of the tray and leave it for a few days to see how it worked?
Regards
Donny77

Does the sweet stuff attract flies and bees and vermin????

So, do you use sorghum molasses, blackstrap molasses, or the kind of molasses you feed livestock? :-X05

Actually, I am serious about the livestock molasses. Seems to me it would be cheaper and easier to get in large quantities. I'm rather curious to see how this would work on the surface rust Grover has in a few places.

Livestock type.

Thats what is called sulphated molasses.

Mix it up with warm water and let it "cook" for a few days - when the frementation process gets going thats when the rust goes away.
I've wanted to soak some absorbant pads in the stuff then place over a rusted area and seal it with a plastic cover and see what happens - havent got there yet.

Yes it will smell, draw critters, and Ford Trucks Folks.

Molassis
 

Thanks
I will give it a go
donny77