Removing Rust?

Question

I have a very large and heavy towing chain that has rust on it. What would be the easiest way to clean the rust off?

Answer 1

I would say sandblaster if you have access to one. I have one, and it works like a dream, but is the messiest thing in the world to do..

If its just the discolored dark brown looking kind. It will not hurt it, I would recommend leaving it on there, in fact its good, I will explain..
Like on many frames of vehicles, sometimes surface rust is actually a protector to a degree. It "seals it up" so to speak, and the companies sometimes intend for this to happen. My chain has been like that now for about 20 years. i use it every winter for pulling, and the rest of the time in my shop. pulling engines and whatnot. (it is about 15 feet long, and also heavy)

I would leave it alone, just oil it a bit if you like

There are some things you can buy that supposedly helps rust off, but I don't know what to tell you there..coke is not one of them.

Answer 2

Depending on the amount of rust visible, I would try the following.1. Dye grinder with wire brush on the end. 2. Wire brush. 3. Sandpaper. 4. Rust remover. 5. Drag the chain through gravel. Once you remove the rust, it would be wise to maybe paint the chain using primer, and some type of paint. Also, storing the chain out of moist areas will save the life of the chain.

Answer 3

Get some mollasses from the farm supply store (it is a powdered cattle feed supplement. Mix up about about 2 quarts (by volume) of mollasses with 5 gallons of water and let the chain soak for a couple of weeks. Then rinse chain, let dry and oil it.

I wouldn't go to all that trouble though, just throw the chain on the shop floor to knock off any loose stuff, the spray it down with WD40, or just leave it alone.

Answer 4

Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Answer 5

The only reason you'd need to clean it is to keep from getting your car filthy from storing the chain. In that case, it's better to just throw it in a tool box and forget about it. A little WD40 will keep the red dust to a minimum.

Rust on a chain does not hurt anything. My 50-yr old logging chains have been red since the day my grandfather bought them and they still work just fine.

Answer 6

Coca Cola...seriously. Buy a couple of 2 liters and let the chain sit in it until the rust is gone.

Answer 7

A product called Naval Jelly, at any hardware. Handle with care... it has acid in it, I think. It does the work, just like Tarnex does on silver.

-- My opinion, if there's anything worse than trying to salvage a chain, it'd be sitting there scrubbing a chain for 3 hours. Ya know?

Answer 8

Know anyone that has a cement mixer ??
Seriously, put your chain and some course sand and a few SMALL stone in a cement mixer, NOTHING ELSE, run it till the chain looks the way you want it !! Afterward I'd suggest you either prime it & paint it or store it in a closed container with bit of oil in it ; oh yeah, & a pair of gloves, you'll see why ! Worked 4 me ; quick & easy !

Answer 9

Try using coca cola !!!! It usually works well depending on the kind of metal you have rusted !

Answer 10

You should use RustBlast by KBS Coatings. Soak it in the RustBlast for about an hour and it will get rid of the rust.
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/RustBlast-C33.aspx