Surprising Rust Remedies That Actually Work

Whenever there is metal there is a risk of rust. It is a natural reaction between metal, water, and oxygen. Unfortunately, in many cases metal is exposed to these elements, making rust inevitable.

The easiest solution is to coat the metal, protecting it from corrosion. You can also do your best to keep it dry, preventing rust from starting. Alongside this, it’s useful to regularly clean it and remove surface rust as it forms. This is easier and better for the metal than allowing the rust to build up.

There are several ways to eliminate rust, you may be surprised.

Get Abrasive

If you check out the  specialists in abrasive cleaning you’ll find there are several machines capable of aggressively cleaning metal surfaces. Abrasive cleaning generally works by pummelling the metal surface with very fine particles. Sand is often used although it’s not the only abrasive cleaning option.

The fine particles will dislodge rust on the surface without damaging the metal underneath. It’s fast and effective, making it one of the best ways to remove rust from almost anything. Best of all using this technique it is much easier to remove rust from difficult-to-reach areas.

White Vinegar

There are times when abrasive cleaning isn’t the right answer. If you’re looking for another way to dislodge surface rust then you should try white vinegar. This mild acid is surprisingly effective.

The best idea is to soak small things in a bowl of white vinegar. For larger items, you’ll need to soak a cloth in vinegar and then lay it on the rusted part.

After a few moments, you should be able to wipe the rust off. However, you should note that white vinegar can also damage the surface of your metal. To prevent this it is very important you rinse the item thoroughly after you’ve removed the rust. You can do this with clean water.

Baking Soda

This is a good option if you don’t have any white vinegar at home. Take a spoonful of baking soda and mix it with some water to create a thick paste. Brush this onto the rust and leave it to react for several minutes. You can then use a stiff brush or if the material underneath can handle it, a wire brush. The rust should come straight off.

Lemon Juice

This works similarly to white vinegar. All you have to do is sprinkle coarse salt onto the rusted area. Then, coat the salt with lemon juice and leave the two substances to react with each other.

You mustn’t leave it too long as it can damage the surface underneath.

Again, after wiping the juice and salt away, make sure you rinse the area thoroughly with water.

Sandpaper

The simplest and most basic of solutions can also work. You’ll need several grades of sandpaper, allowing you to sand off the rust without damaging the surface beneath it. This doesn’t work for sensitive surfaces as you’re likely to damage them but it can be a good solution on more durable surfaces.