Metal Rescue: What to expect?

[DynoDave]

There are several rust removing products on the market right now. Metal Rescue was at Carlisle the last time I went (2012), so I bought a gallon. Non-toxic, biodegradable, no fumes, a Michigan product....seemed like it was worth trying.



I have several small side projects in the way (literally and figuratively), that I want to complete before working on the Chrysler. Fixing up an old tool cabinet is one of them. The casters were rusty, so I thought I'd give the Metal Rescue a try.

Per the directions:

• This stuff (and others like it) prefer to be about 70* or so to work best. I started out with this plastic container in the garage (maybe around 55* or 60*), then moved the container into the house, around 74* with the fireplace going).
• Keep in a sealed container so it won't evaporate. No problem...I put it these small items in a disposable plastic container (lid removed for photos).
• It turns dark during/after use. Yup, started out clear, now a dark gold/brown color.
• Most parts will soak for up to 8 hours, maybe up to 24, but no more than 48. Oops...read that part a little too late. Some of these have soaked for a week!
• Reuse it until it's not effective anymore. I have been, but for how long?

And that last bullet is the question I have today. Here are the first two casters I did.





The right one looks almost like new. Came out pretty good. It'll get topped off with a quick coat of silver POR 15, some fresh lube for the bearing, and last the rest of my lifetime. Beyond that..who cares!

The one on the left, the light corrosion is gone, but not all of the heavier, more deeply pitted stuff.

So the question is....is that heavier pitting beyond the ability of the product to remove, or is this batch of chemical used up, and a fresh batch will do more removal of that rust?

[DynoDave]

No Metal Rescue (or similar product) users, eh?

[odzking]

Only that stuff from Harbor Freight ... I believe Tom bought tanker full! 

[DynoDave]

Well, for a few ounces of product, I decided to try a new batch. We'll see in 24 hours if it makes any more progress.

These casters, and the box I'm rehabbing are nothing special. It was more of an excuse to try this product and see what it could do. I've had it sitting around for 1.5 years, so it was time to give it a try.

[Deleted]

Dave, I have been using Evaporust.
yeah....I have bought in 5 gallon buckets.
I have not been using any for awhile.....as Mopar parts have become a ever decreasing piece of my parts sales.
Nor have I had time to work on any of my own projects for quite awhile.

My experience on the stuff that is rusted more heavily....is that you have to help it along mechanically.
I scrub with sos pad, rinse, throw it back in for another soak.
For example...some of the wiper transmissions I did last year probably needed 3-4 scrub/soak cycles.
More work than I thought I'd be doing....but still a little better than firing up the blasting cabinet.

That "outer layer" of rust/crud seems to get softened up....but if it stays on the part and does not disperse into the solution, it basically blocks further progress.