Rust removal gel on thick rust???

[gasket999]

Hi folks.

anyone any experience with commercially available rust removal gels/solutions?

I need to remove some thick rust from an inaccessible part of a thick cast steel axle casing - inside a bit of box section (no tool/bit will get in there, nor will our blasting gun).

The rust is 40-years old, about a quarter of an inch thick and is only in a small section, but its really irritating that I can't get at it.

I can't submerge this part of the axle so an acid/vinegar bath is out - an ideal would be a gel that I can spread on that will stick, like Hammerite Rust Removal Gel or similar.

I'm not expecting miracles, simply anything that will loosen it enough to chip out with a long thin chisel - I can reapply every night for a week and have at-it next weekend if needs be.

Has anyone any experience with such gels? Do they actually work or are they too weak for the job?

Many thanks.

 

[piman]

Hello Gasket999,

if you use a hammer on the outside, will that not dislodge the rust layer?

Alec

 

[Shedendman]

rust removal

What you want is something that has a high based content of phosphoric acid ie milk stone remover,even cokeacola has it,mix that with wallpaper paste then that gives you a gel,brush it on then wait,trick is though not to let it dry out,so if you can wrap/tape some plastic over the affected area

 

[gasket999]

Piman - no, unfortunatley the stuff is stuck like rock and nothing will shift it - even a direct blow with a long cold chisel.

Stalwart - I like the idea of wrapping it, I have pallet-wrap that would do the job nicely. I'll try and get something off the shelf if i can tho.

 

[chunkolini]

I have used DeoxyC which i think is citric acid based.
I soaked loads of kitchen towels in it, wadded that around the workpiece then wrapped it in cling film.
Worked a treat.

 

[steveo3002]

bilt hamber stuff is good...but remove all you can first with a drill /wire brush or whatever to keep down the usuage

 

[gasket999]

Thanks guys - had never heard of bilt hamber before, but it sounds like the business. I've ordered a tub of Deox gel - cheaper than Hammerite too - £9.99 for a full KG tub.

 

[Ducky]

I've used the Deox stuff also to great effect.

 

[steveo3002]

couple of tips for the gel

it doesnt work in cold weather

put it on thick and cover it best you can , tape some plastic bags /cling film so the gel is trapped and airtight

watch the colour..once its turned dark brown its used up , wash it off and repeat until clean steel

they kinda make out it that it happens fast , it might take 3 sessions over a week to clean up the pits etc on a decent scab

 

[Chipper]

Also if it's really thick rust it's not going to eat all of it away. can you attack it with an air chisel though?

 

[gasket999]

I don't have an air chisel I'm afraid but it wouldn't get all the way in anyway - the body of the gun would foul on the diff/hub of the axle, it would have to be a very long, very thin chisel attachment to work.

However, I'll be able to get at it with a cold-chisel providing the gel can loosen it a bit.

The gel arrived yesterday (really quick service from Bilt Hamber by the way) - I taped one end of the box section before filling it to the brim with the gel and then cling-filmed it in last night. Leaving if for 48 hours until Thursday when I'll agitate it, scrape it out along with any loose rust before refilling it for another 48 hours - I'll repeat ad infinitum of needs be.

Will keep you informed of progress.

 

[gasket999]

48 hours down and definately worked so far - cleaned out the first lot of gel which has changed from an apple-sauce colour to bright green like swarfeaga.

The first lot took out the last of the dirt and much of the rust from the surface freeing up the hole enough to run some emery tape through and rub it down.

All thats left is the last few mm of hard-core rust - so I've loaded it up again and will be leaving it another 48hrs to the weekend.