DIY
Bust the rust!
Home Handyman Magazine
Posted Tue, 25 Apr 2006

Braais, outdoor furniture, garden equipment, steel window frames, gutters and down pipes are just a few of the many metal finishes around the home that are susceptible to damage by rust. Even your car is not safe from this corrosive adversary.

Aside from its unattractive appearance, left untreated, rust can bring any of these finishes to an early demise and lead to other damage. For example, rain gutters with rusted joints can leak and allow water to travel further along the roof or down the wall. This in turn can lead to expensive damp problems, as well as rust stains forming down the wall of the house below the leak.

Another example is a rusted window frame. Water could enter through the window frame and leak down into the house, once again creating a possible cause of damp. As interior paint isn't made for exposure to moisture, the paint may start to peel and flake, not to mention possible damage caused to possessions inside the house.

Rust also presents a safety issue. A rusted-out screw in a hand-rail or the rust ravaged leg of a garden chair could send an unsuspecting guest flying to a nasty fall. Rusty outdoor power equipment leaves the operator particularly vulnerable because a rusted bolt could act as a projectile.

Helpful hints...

• Clean and lubricate your digging tools in a sand and motor oil mixture. Keep a tub of it (one litre old motor oil to 18kg sand) in your tool shed. Just plunge the blades into the mix several times after use to keep them free of rust.
  
  
• Protect the moving parts of gardening machinery, such as mower blades, and keep your tools rust and corrosion free with a moisture displacing silicone spray lubricant such as Q20.
  
  
• Stubborn rust on your tools? Rub them with a soap-filled steel wool pad dipped in kerosene or turpentine. Finish them off with a brisk rub on wadded aluminium foil.

Preventing rust

The best way to prevent rust forming on steel and iron surfaces, such as hand tools, is to stop water and air from coming into contact with them. To do this, apply a layer of oil or grease to the bare metal. Water repellent oils are available in aerosol form, but the fine oil evaporates quickly and will have to be renewed regularly.

Painting metal also protects it from rust, but the paint must be kept in good condition. If scratches penetrate a protective coating, apply a rust inhibitor immediately. A good paint job always begins with a high-quality primer. Certain pigments contained in paint, such as zinc and iron oxide, adhere to metal much more effectively than other types. Ask your local paint store for primer and paint specifically designed for use with metal.

Stripping rust

There are various methods (and tools) which can be used to remove rust. Sandpaper, flexible sanding sponges, steel wool and nylon scouring pads all work well and can be especially useful when working on tubing or twisted and curved material.

In those situations where there is more rust than elbow grease can handle, a little power is recommended. A wire brush or wire wheel attached to an electric drill can make simple work of stripping rust. A bit of fine finishing with sandpaper or steel wool helps remove any residue that may remain.

Whichever method you choose, wear protective gloves and safety goggles. These prevent metal splinters and eye injuries caused by flying metal particles. Rust is tough, but you can get rid of it on most surfaces. Here's a short overview of your options for treating and preventing rust on common objects.

• Treat the affected material (metal or otherwise) with a rust-removing agent that contains oxalic acid, taking care to follow instructions on the product label.
  
  
• Treat severe rust stains (especially in toilet bowls) with a pumice scouring pad along with the rust-removing agent.
  
  
• Prevent indoor metal items from rusting by keeping their surfaces dry, dusting regularly and wiping down occasionally with a damp cloth. Dry immediately after wiping down.
  
  
• Keep outdoor wrought-iron structures rust-free by removing existing rust with a wire brush, some sandpaper or a sandblaster. Then go over bare spots with rust-inhibiting primer and paint the surface with rust-resistant metal paint.
  
  

Freeing rusted bolts

A quick way to free rusted nuts and bolts, particularly on aluminium parts, is to pour on a small amount of fizzy Coca-Cola. Wait until the bolt is dry before trying again to remove it.

Chemical removers

Not all rust is created equal. Some rust simply can't be sanded or scraped without resulting in damage to the underlying material. When dealing with this kind of rust, use a chemical rust remover.

Rust removal products containing gelled phosphoric acid work best. The gel can be brushed on (with a cheap paintbrush) or sprayed onto the surface where it should remain for 15-30 minutes for best results. Then, simply rinse off the chemical with fresh water.

More than one application may be required depending upon the severity of the rust. Again, safety is paramount — make sure ou wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and have plenty of fresh ventilation.

Remove rust using tin foil

You can easily remove rust from steel objects — such as car bumpers and rusted pots with this simple home remedy.

• Get a square sheet of tin foil.
• Crumple the foil into a ball with the shiny side out.
• Rub the rusted area vigorously until the rust comes off.
• Repeat steps if necessary.
  

Removing rust from tools

Whether you've just found a treasure at a garage sale, or your own shovel has gotten a tad rusty, it's easy to make tools as shiny as new.

1. Clamp the tool in a bench vice with the blade pointing down.
2. Coat the blade with kerosene or penetrating oil.
3. Brush downward, using steel wool, emery paper or a wire brush. (Depending on how rusty the blade is, you may need all three).
4. Wipe away the rust residue with a soft brush or cloth, then wash the blade in warm, soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
5. Prevent rust by cleaning your tools thoroughly after every use and coating them lightly with a lightweight oil such as Q20 or mineral oil.