My Door handle mechanisms went from rusted solid to silky smooth in a molassis bath......that was about 10 years ago.....still silky!!!!!

Its great for getting in nooks & crannys!

Enjoy!!!!

(BTW....."Mark in Japan" on the HAMB)

 

So when you say heat (warm water) helps speed the process up, do you or can you use a burner and keep it on low or something to speed this process up. 10 days seems like an eternity. I have lots of little bits, like the door mechanism that need rust removal, but media blasting is out of the question as it makes them all sticky later on. The other chemicals seem too harsh. We have a chemical cleaner at the shop, bakes the stuff at 300 degrees, not sure what is in it, but its non-toxic, but it doesn't remove rust, just paint, grease, oil, etc....

 

I borrow a bubbling cauldron from the 3 witches of the North, full of molasses, and keep throwing parts in it. I keep stirring with a big wooden canoe paddle, while laughing out loud in a shrill voice.

Actually, I have an old fuel oil tank that I'm considering making a molasses vat out of (top half swing back on a piano hinge like a cooking grille). I keep reading about the molasses trick, and it seems like a neat way to go. Not a priority at this time, though.
I can imagine all the deer hanging around it during the Winter, too.

 

The Guy who started this thread - 286Merc - had a 55 gal drum mounted over a fire pit and kept a charcoal type fire going. He mainly used it for engine blocks.
With a good fire you can roast all the little beasties that the smell draws - all you will need is a few frosties to wash the hard parts down.

 

With a field full of Angus cattle not far away, I'd need to make sure my fence [s in really good shape before I tried the Molasses Method.

That, or I could post a sign reading "ANY CATTLE FOUND LICKING MY TRUCK WILL BECOME DINNER!"

I may have to wander down to the local Southern States and get some molasses. This is too intriguing an idea to pass up. I have some old tools with a little surface rust on them that would be perfect for a test.

 

just tried it, but had mixed results (didn't get all of the rust, but still worked). came back to ask questions, and while rereading noticed that I need sulphated molasses... not what i stole out of the kitchen cupboard...

 

Question: Will the molasses become "spent" and not longer work after a period of time or amount of usage and not longer be effective for rust removal?

 

Yes and no

It will slow down the time it takes to do the job - just drop in some more molasses to keep it gowing - kind of like sourdough starter.

NOTE: Molasses as we normally think of it is a thick syrup made from cane sugar - sulfated molasses is a animal feed available as a thick liquid or ground/chopped cane or sugar beet.