meatheadmerlin
Well-known member
I realize this is ferrous, but this seems the best place to post this.
I have been experimenting with rust removal.
My first attempt was with a rusty, unplated alen (hex) wrench.
I used distilled white vinegar and municipal tap water, maybe 2:1.
the reaction was quite noticeable and bubbled almost non-stop.
I did add a small amount of sea salt just to provide some
extra ions to the reactions.
I should say that I know my water supply to contain sulfur.
And on that note, when the final solution totally evaporated,
I think I may have made pyrite, due to golden crystals forming
in the middle region in addition to the black crust at the top
I would assume was from the carbon in the steel,
and the sea-foam green precipitate at the bottom.
The solution remained mostly transparent throughout the process.
The precipitate turned a rusty red color after sitting for a time.
I was left with a nicely cleaned tool I hope to zinc plate.
I tried a second solution and a different object.
I mixed vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (close to 8:1)
and added a dash of sea salt (non-iodized) and sulfur mineral rock.
Into this solution I put a rusty, plated socket.
I would assume the plating to be nickel or chromium based,
but don't rightly know.
At first, a layer of deep red solution developed on the bottom,
with not much evidence of fast reaction in the way of bubbling,
but after, say, a week the whole solution turned a deep red,
so much so that I could not see the socket through it.
The rust on the socket seems a bit dissolved, but the plating is intact.
This reacted so much differently from the plain vinegar
I tried with the rusty hex (alen) wrench, I'm not sure what to make of it.
The solution is now evaporating and forming a crusty deep-red to black
substance, with a slight rusty-colored skin on the surface.
I am at a loss as to what may be happening (need more chemistry study),
and I realize I have changed more than 1 variable, but
I was hoping someone could comment on the chemistry
involved in either of these processes.
I have been experimenting with rust removal.
My first attempt was with a rusty, unplated alen (hex) wrench.
I used distilled white vinegar and municipal tap water, maybe 2:1.
the reaction was quite noticeable and bubbled almost non-stop.
I did add a small amount of sea salt just to provide some
extra ions to the reactions.
I should say that I know my water supply to contain sulfur.
And on that note, when the final solution totally evaporated,
I think I may have made pyrite, due to golden crystals forming
in the middle region in addition to the black crust at the top
I would assume was from the carbon in the steel,
and the sea-foam green precipitate at the bottom.
The solution remained mostly transparent throughout the process.
The precipitate turned a rusty red color after sitting for a time.
I was left with a nicely cleaned tool I hope to zinc plate.
I tried a second solution and a different object.
I mixed vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (close to 8:1)
and added a dash of sea salt (non-iodized) and sulfur mineral rock.
Into this solution I put a rusty, plated socket.
I would assume the plating to be nickel or chromium based,
but don't rightly know.
At first, a layer of deep red solution developed on the bottom,
with not much evidence of fast reaction in the way of bubbling,
but after, say, a week the whole solution turned a deep red,
so much so that I could not see the socket through it.
The rust on the socket seems a bit dissolved, but the plating is intact.
This reacted so much differently from the plain vinegar
I tried with the rusty hex (alen) wrench, I'm not sure what to make of it.
The solution is now evaporating and forming a crusty deep-red to black
substance, with a slight rusty-colored skin on the surface.
I am at a loss as to what may be happening (need more chemistry study),
and I realize I have changed more than 1 variable, but
I was hoping someone could comment on the chemistry
involved in either of these processes.