| There are four main methods for dealing with rusty | | | | another tank of alkaline solution and the rust |
| metal including: mechanical removal (grinding, | | | | removed electrolytically. This is an effective process, |
| sand-blasting, etc.), specialty paints, acids, and | | | | but requires a topcoating within a few days or rust |
| chemical converters. With the exception of chemical | | | | will start. Because of the cost of this type of |
| conversion, most procedures for removing rust | | | | operation, these facilities are usually only available in |
| involve dangerous toxic chemicals or require special | | | | large metropolitan areas.Chemical Conversion |
| equipment.Mechanical Removal | | | | A very old method of protecting metal from rusting |
| One of the most common methods of removing | | | | is through chemical conversion. Blacksmiths were |
| rust is by the use of grinders, wire brushes, | | | | probably the first to discover this procedure when |
| sandpaper, and sand blasting. These mechanical | | | | they coated their tools with oil and then heated them |
| methods physically remove the rust from the metal | | | | in a forge. This process created a very hard coating |
| surface. For minor rust, sandpaper will effectively | | | | on the tool's surface, protecting it from rust. Known |
| remove rust.Heavy rust requires the use of power | | | | later as "magnetite," this very hard form of iron |
| equipment that tears the rust away from the | | | | oxide is one of the most effective means of |
| surface, exposing bare metal. Sandblasting forces | | | | eliminating rust. And because magnetite is chemically |
| large amounts of sand against the metal surface, | | | | inert, it does not react with oxygen or |
| breaking down the rust and some metal into fine | | | | moisture.Non-toxic Alternative |
| particles that separate from the surface.Sand blasting | | | | An interesting solution to the toxic methods |
| is an effective process, but takes experience and | | | | mentioned above is a non-toxic paint that uses the |
| specialized equipment. Additionally, if the metal is not | | | | chemical conversion process. An example of this type |
| primed immediately after sandblasting, rust will readily | | | | of rust treatment is the Rust Doctor ( Rust Doctor is |
| form on the porous metal surface.Using mechanical | | | | non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable. It does |
| methods requires care because being too aggressive | | | | not have any strong or dangerous fumes and will not |
| my damage the metal surface.Special Rust Paints | | | | damage paint, glass or plastic. If you get it on your |
| There are a few paints on the market that | | | | hands, merely wash them with soap and water.Two |
| advertise the ability to seal or encapsulate rust. They | | | | factors make Rust Doctor unique as a rust control |
| have chemical structures that have very tight | | | | system. First, the paint is a water based latex |
| molecules that will not allow moisture or oxygen to | | | | product, allowing brushes and spray equipment to be |
| reach the rusted metal surface. The effectiveness of | | | | cleaned up with soap and water. In addition, because |
| these products varies, depending on application and | | | | there are no strong acids or solvents in Rust Doctor, |
| surface preparation.Because of the strong chemical | | | | it is non-flammable and can be used in an enclosed |
| nature of these products (toxic), gloves should be | | | | environment without fear of dangerous fumes. This is |
| worn and adequate ventilation is important. Spraying | | | | especially useful when spraying Rust Doctor in a shop |
| requires special thinning solvents and specialized | | | | or garage.A second advantage of Rust Doctor is the |
| breathing equipment. In addition to being highly toxic, | | | | fact it includes a primer that creates an excellent |
| most rust paints are EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE and | | | | base for topcoating with any kind of paint. The Rust |
| should be handled with caution.Acids | | | | Doctor converts the rust and primes the surface, all |
| Use of acids to dissolve rust is another method for | | | | in one easy step. Once the conversion process is |
| rust control. A number of products on the market | | | | complete, the surface is left with a heavy coating of |
| that deal with rust contain phosphoric acid. Acids | | | | this latex primer. In one step, the rust is converted |
| dissolve the rust and leave behind a thin oxide | | | | to magnetite and surface is primed. This primed |
| coating on the surface. Because this coating is thin, it | | | | surface will accept sanding primers, making it possible |
| needs to be protected by topcoating with a quality | | | | to create as smooth a surface as desired.So next |
| exterior paint.When using acids, it is important rinse | | | | time you are facing a piece of rusty metal, consider |
| off the metal before the acid begins attacking the | | | | all of your options carefully for removing the rust. |
| solid metal that remains after the rust is dissolved. | | | | Make sure to choose the very best solution for your |
| Gloves should be worn and adequate ventilation is | | | | specific needs. It may just be that the best, easiest |
| required when using acids. Because of the strong | | | | solution for you is a one-step, non-toxic application of |
| fumes associated with acids, spraying requires special | | | | the Rust Doctor.Rodger Busse owns The Rust |
| breathing equipment.Another process similar to the | | | | Doctor. This one-step non-toxic solution allows you to |
| acid removal process is commercial stripping. In this | | | | convet and paint over rusty metal in one easy step. |
| process, metal (even an entire car frame) is dipped in | | | | Visit The Rust Doctor at It can be used on cars, |
| a large tank of caustic soda at an elevated | | | | trucks, boats, motorcycles, farm equipment, and |
| temperature. After the paint is dissolved, the metal is | | | | household items. |
| removed and rinsed with water and then put in | | | | |