Yes, it'll work. I mix mine at 1/4 cup per gallon. Made up a box to clean some sheet metal for the Nomad project. After a couple of days, siphoned off the mixture in to some gallon windshield washer jugs, dumped what I couldn't get out. Good for next time.
Those pieces look nice and free of rust. Being able to reuse what can be siphoned off doesn’t hurt either…
Yes, I siphoned off the clean looking solution, and dumped the chunks and dirty looking stuff. Rinsed the cheap bulb type syphon with water, to be ready for its next ***ignment.
Save the label... or else the leftovers conjure up a scene from Scarface. I keep mine in an old Tupperware container with the OG label taped to the side.
I strain off mine too, gets the big chunks out. Some old dirt and grease, some will rise to the top. I picked up a couple of plastic strainers at the supermarket. I use old cat litter containers for small parts and hardware.
used grocery store vinegar to remove heavy surface rust on the floor of my nash metro. just soaked rags in vinegar, spread them out on the floor and covered with plastic to stop evap. checked , scrubbed with wire brush and renewed vinegar every couple days. worked great , clean as a whistle when done. paint right away when done though flash rusts fast
Did the same with the underside of an antique cast iron kitchen sink that had been left in the dirt, even got some of the rust stains out of the porcelain. Neutralized it with baking soda, gave it a rinse, and painted the underside.
Want a laugh? I placed a small pocket knife in a jar filled with straight vinegar. And promptly FORGOT same. Yep, several days later, NO rust. No carbon steel at all. Only the stainless and plastic left. I miss that knife. Ben
I reuse citric acid and oxalic acid. When the mix starts to get discolored and s***my, throw a sheet in a 5 gallon bucket strain it, or pour it thru a rag in a collander, just add some more acid to bring the strength back up. When I'm doing a lot of parts cleaning I just keep 5 gallons mixed up and reuse it in different containers to fit the parts. Wear gloves, it will mess with your hands.
My wife has ordered me some CA from Amazon…when it arrives I will take some better before and after pics. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Don't expect immediate results. This stuff takes some time because its pretty gentle on the parent metal. You can't get something thats too agressive because it may harm the part as well. I'd set stuff in your tank and give it a week before checking. If its not clean enough, give it another week......etc. I usually put stuff in my tank and leave it and go on to other projects. Then when I get back to the original project, its ready. A watched pot never boils.............
Finally took some before and after pictures of a '64 bumper and frame. Soaked it in a tub with 4 cups of citric acid and water to cover the parts. I did NO scrubbing, simply hosed the parts off after the bath. Bob
My son and I clean our dirt track radiators in a plastic tub that’s big enough. I’ve glued a rectangle on the side where a vibrating sander will fit. No sand paper and C- clamp it on. The vibration will clean all the dirt out in 15-20 minutes tops. I’ve often thought of doing it to a de-rusting trough
I use vinegar for small stuff. For big stuff, I use citric acid. This is 100-gallons of water, with 50lbs of citric acid powder. There was no choice but to soak. These were in a body shop fire.
I have get/make a big tote/etc. I’ve some fenders that would be a good candidate for getting rid of the rust.
Mine is a Rubbermaid, from the local farm supply. I may need an even bigger one for the next project.
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