Molasses Rust Removal

[Jes Andersen]

Wayne, I had a conversation with John on just this topic the other day. He indicated that once all the grease and loose crud was off, the subject was submerged in a 50/50 mix of molasses and water. Molasses from the feed store variety. He uses the large wheeled garbage cans and other plastic tubs suited to the size of the part. Cover to keep evaporation at a minimum, wildlife out and forget about it for awhile. Weeks and months, not days.

I have an old JD crawler with some pretty rusty parts that I will try this on.

I still have to figure out the chemistry of this process, but it apparently works. Somewhere on YouTube, there is a guy fro Australia that swears by it.

Let us know how it works for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq5IUiYMhRM

[jack neville]

Get yourself a 240/12 volt converter, a bin of water and a bag of washing soda. Much quicker and doesn't stink like molasses.

[charlie fitton]

I used a water/ molasses mix in the ratio of 10/1, so there is a wide range of options here.

Photo's from a v8 timing fixture attached:

Before, during, and after..note that the brass was not destroyed, and the decal parts are still in place. Took about 10 days on the kitchen counter..

Toothbrush , soap and water to clean up. A pressure washer for bigger bits, I imagine.

[chris vickery]

I have heard of this but never tried it. Have a batch of bolts sitting in a bath right at the moment and will see for myself in a while how well it works.
Charlie, looks like your timing fixture came out really nice!

[Ian Johns]

I took a 200L steel drum, put a 20L pail of molasses and the rest water. I hang a basket in it for small parts and throw the lid on it. Works well. In the photo you can clearly see which part of the fender didn't fit in the barrel.