Rust removal
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
Rust removal
Hello guys, I know this has been published many times before, but with new people coming in all the time i thought i would discuss the rust removal.
Presently I have 2- 30 gallion drums 1 with acid and 1 with molasses.
I have been doing the small quick things in the muratic acid and the bigger things in the slower molasses. However im thinking i really want to soak all my cabs in a large tank of molasses even if its only does a foot up the cab from the bottom. No one in maryland does this. Guys I have even thought of building a pit
and using a pond liner for my 4 cabs. Tell me what you think, someone talk some sence into me.
Presently I have 2- 30 gallion drums 1 with acid and 1 with molasses.
I have been doing the small quick things in the muratic acid and the bigger things in the slower molasses. However im thinking i really want to soak all my cabs in a large tank of molasses even if its only does a foot up the cab from the bottom. No one in maryland does this. Guys I have even thought of building a pit
and using a pond liner for my 4 cabs. Tell me what you think, someone talk some sence into me.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
Not sure of the answers
I tried the electrolisis thing and it only takes it off a straight line . The molasses
is suppose to be enviorment frendly so i could bury it and pull out the pond liner refill the hole.
is suppose to be enviorment frendly so i could bury it and pull out the pond liner refill the hole.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
I haven't heard of using molasses. If you have only moderate surface rust, how long of a soak would it take? I would be able to dig a pit and put a wading pond in it and fill it with molasses, though I think my co-workers would think I was nuts (which I don't care about, I even encourage that sort of thinking among them).
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
It would work. Might take a while, especially in the winter. Biggest problem I have with molasses is the smell. And insects love it. I prefer to use vinegar, but a pool full of vinegar would be expensive.
As for disposal, I dunno......the rust settles to the bottom of the container. Would still be a mess though. FWIW, vinegar is an excellent weed killer!
As for disposal, I dunno......the rust settles to the bottom of the container. Would still be a mess though. FWIW, vinegar is an excellent weed killer!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
I work at a food plant, I'll check how much a 30 gallon drum of vinegar would cost, as well as a 30 gallon drum of molasses.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 106
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From: Walhalla, SC
FWIW, the guys over on the FordBarn do the molassas trick with flathead blocks and swear by it. Seems like it takes a month or so and their only negative comments are it's a slow process and it does smell.
Ken
Ken
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Clitherall, MN.
I used apple cider viniger and it worked pretty good. Till it froze anyways. I think your going to need a lot of molasses to soak a cab bottom. Might end up with a few deer in the yard too.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
walking the tight rope
I have seen the results of the soaks on other things. Since i have 4 whole truck
cabs and fenders to do. I really want to get at least above the floor by 6 inches or so. Im on the east coast where rust is in every knook and cranny and since i have so much metal work to do Im looking for some shortcuts to get to it sooner.
cabs and fenders to do. I really want to get at least above the floor by 6 inches or so. Im on the east coast where rust is in every knook and cranny and since i have so much metal work to do Im looking for some shortcuts to get to it sooner.
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Greeley Co
I have used Vinegar many times with excellent results. As a rule unheated it takes about 2 weeks to soak heavy rust. The only downside is it is so clean it will start to rust again in minutes if something isn't applied to prevent it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,995
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
Yup, just the ticket for the low wattage Josh & Bill or Tickle.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
results after 6 days
Its easy to see the before and after just 6 days. I put them back in for another week so i didnt spray them off. My pic is hard to see but it took off the rust and turned it into a brown gravy which when washed off is just metal and black converted rust
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Except for the guy who completely ruined a crack-free block by leaving it in a couple days too long. Every machined surface looked like a golf ball, pits all over. As I recall he had to throw it away. There are so many faster, cheaper ways to clean a part, I just don't understand the attraction. Molasses works because it has sulfuric acid in it. Sulfuric costs a whole lot less and doesn't stink, but again there is a point where good metal starts disappearing, you need to be standing there when it happens. My machine shop charges $30 to thoroughly vat a block, not worth the trouble to do anything else IMO.