M5A1 coming along...

[jdmcm]

I have seen "hot rod" guys do entire Model A bodies in large swimming pools of the mixture...and MV restorers dunk sections of well rusted track. The metal is so clean when it comes out that within minutes of being washed it starts to get a gold tint to it as it begins to flash rust...you can get a product called "hold tight" that you mix with water for the rinse which will keep the surface from flash rusting for several days, it is often used following "wet" blasting...Colin I would recommend filling the gearbox with the mixture and allowing it to sit...would make dis-assembly much easier

[jdmcm]

After a day of track bashing the Stuart is up on its new feet

IMG_20150815_132048.jpg IMG_20150815_132056.jpg IMG_20150815_132118.jpg IMG_20150815_154343.jpg IMG_20150815_174221.jpg

[jdmcm]

Almost looks like a tank again after decades in pieces...

IMG_20150815_174127.jpg IMG_20150815_174119.jpg

[SDT16]

Very Interesting! So a jar of molasses that you get from the grocery store or is it something different? Does it smell bad during the process? You have my idea gears turning. We have some CDP tracks that have some seized links, do you think a long soaking would free those up?

Sean

Stuart is looking Nice!

[charlie fitton]

Originally Posted by SDT16

Very Interesting! So a jar of molasses that you get from the grocery store or is it something different? Does it smell bad during the process? You have my idea gears turning. We have some CDP tracks that have some seized links, do you think a long soaking would free those up?

I did it with store-bought, but scaled up production would be expensive.

Go to your local farm supply and get a five-gallon pail that would be used for horse feed... should be much cheaper.

[jdmcm]

Exactly...horses being a rather large part of my life, even more than MV's...a trip down to the local feed store is all you need..I found 50/50 mix with water works great...and if you keep it covered you can reduce evaporation and keep the mix alive for a long time...I am still using the original batch I made up. And yes Sean, I have no doubt a long soak would free up the CDP track...the results, though they take a long time, are nothing short of amazing. And yeah..it stinks!

[Alex van de Wetering]

Thanks for keeping us updated on the Stuart John. Good to see the tracks back on the machine!

There are some good youtube vids on the use of molasses for de-rusting. I have cleaned up some parts with this mixture as well. In my opinion it works really good for cast parts, but had some trouble with a very thin piece of rusted sheet metal....there wasn't much left after a few weeks in the molasses bath

I think I have seen some pics on HMVF, where someone dropped a complete cannon in the stuff.

Alex

[Bill McLean]

Hi John
I am in the interior and am wondering if a couple of us could come down and see your machine. I have a carrier and my friend has a CVRT Sabre and Warrior.

Thanks!

Bill

[jdmcm]

Hi Bill

Sounds good to me, try to email me with some notice, since I retired I have been busier than ever. I'm really not sure how I used to fit work in with all the time these green mistresses demand.

John

[Bill McLean]

Hey John!
Great, it won't be until the spring or even early summer. We are going to be getting together over the winter and see about having a gathering or 2 during to summer to play with our vehicles rather than parking and showing. Or a little bit of both. I've been on most of the Western Command Convoys, and it is a blast. But even if we found a huge field or rolling hill area, it would be fun for soft skin and tracked vehicles. I'll be in touch!

Bill

[lssah2025]

Very nice.