How may I remove the thick rust from tools which have lain unused for years (nay, decades)?

Question

Please suggest only easily available materials and techniques, as highly special materials for rust removal may not be available in India.
I don't feel like throwing them away, as many of them are very old and ingenious (made pre-World War II), and you don't get such cleverly made tools any more.

Answer 1

to add to the others...
wd-40 works ...albeit slowly...but that's OK...sometimes the only thing holding pieces together is the rust...
TSP /naval jelly/ muriatic acid/ and good old SOS/brillo with a lot of "elbow grease"...

a stiff wire brush will clean off the heavy rust/a wire wheel or wire (disc) cup for a power drill will aid in the initial cleanup...
or...start with an extremely coarse sandpaper and work your way up to 00 or 0000 for the finish work

just be careful that whatever you try..you don't destroy the item trying to clean it up...sometimes a little rust on an important item is preferable to a shiny clean but ruined piece

Answer 2

Rust is tough, but you can get rid of it on most surfaces. Here's an overview of your options for treating and preventing rust on common objects.

STEP 1: Put on rubber gloves.

STEP 2: 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.

STEP 3: Treat severe rust stains (especially in toilet bowls) with a pumice scouring pad along with the rust-removing agent.

STEP 4: 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.

STEP 5: 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

Answer 3

Spray the tools with WD40 or CRC556 it is just a rust busting prentrating oil. Let it set a day or two and wipe off. Repeat till just spotty rust then use steel wool to wipe it down. When clean respray tools to keep rust from building up .

Answer 4

I think you are on the wrong category but I will try to help you.
Try a brillo pad, or an SOS pad, lightly wet it and lightly rub the areas of rust. Then get DW40 oil, the tool oil and moisten it with the oil it should last as a preserver for a while. That should work.

Answer 5

dont remove the rust remove the whole bunch of such tools and bring a brand new one.

Answer 6

Use WD40 or another anti-rust agent. Lubricate them with an non-oily smooth substance and they will loosen up without rusting.

Answer 7

You also will want to proceed carefully and slowly. Depending upon how rusted they are, they may break if you try to rush this.

Best of luck - history is worth preserving!!!