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