De-Rusting With Treacle

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panky
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Posts: 1994
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:12 pm
Location: Cheshire
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De-Rusting With Treacle

Post by panky »

I've heard about removing rust with molasses so I thought treacle is molasses isn't it? I just happened to find a couple of out of date tins at the back of the kitchen cupboard during a clear out so I thought.........

Rusty bits. A Commer door bottom repair off-cut, the old bolts off Ted's rear panel and a cast iron water valve cover I dug up out of the garden.

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I put a tin of treacle into just over half a bucket of warm water and placed the test pieces in.

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After a day the steel sheet was sowing promise

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After a week it's still working

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After three weeks it only bloody works :)

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Even the rust in the pitting had gone.

The other bits showed signs of improvement too, this is just after a quick hose down.

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The cast iron still has some crust left on it but it's definitely improved

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I'll leave it in for another couple of weeks and see what happens, the liquid seems to be getting pretty lively now but it's started to smell a bit like sweaty socks :oops:
So if your in no rush get yourself to the back of the larder and nick that tin of treacle that was supposed to go into a Christmas cake ten years ago, and the only other thing you need is a container big enough to put your rusty bits in :D
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amgrave
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Re: De-Rusting With Treacle

Post by amgrave »

I saw on Tomorrows World years ago that just placing rusty items in plain water will de-rust them so perhaps the treacle is not really doing it. Ever the disbeliever I did try it myself and plain water does work although it takes a long time (days not hours) and leaves a black residue where the rust once was which washes off easily enough. You have to clean the scale off first for best results.

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Location: Whiteabbey, Co Antrim
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Re: De-Rusting With Treacle

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Ive had the mollasses in an old wheely bin now for about 2 years!! It still works but does pong a bit on a warm day. I power wash the items after they come out and then light the pot belly stove in the garage and get them really well dried before priming. :D


Too many Minors so little time.....
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