Vinegar and Salt for Rust Removal, Anyone tried this?

CARNAC · Nov 5, 2015

Saw this on a site reference removing rust from tow chains and tools and the folks on there swear by it. It wasn't real clear about how much to mix with what amounts.

Anyone do this?

One thing that wasn't covered on the other site was preservation of the cleaned item. There was also info about using baking soda and water to neutralize the acids.

MWMULES · Nov 5, 2015

Cheap white vinegar will take the rust off, but I left it on too long (24 hours) and lightly pitted the bolts and nuts. It was clear that I did not know the correct mixture or %.

Jeepsinker · Nov 5, 2015

It works, but remember that you are bathing the parts in salt. Once you are done cleaning the item, flush thoroughly with water, then use a good preservative oil. Fluid film (product in aerosol can) is absolutely the best preservative you can use on metal.

I really don't understand the people that clean loaded tarnished ammo with this. It cleans brass and other non ferrous metals great too, but it leaves salt behind, which corroded it again... stupid.

Ackevor · Nov 5, 2015

I have used white vinegar and apple cider vinegar as well. I did a 50/50 mix with water on some heavy rusted items like cab mounts after I removed the rubber (24 hours). It helps soften the thick stuff but it wont get rid of it all. As far as adding salt to the mix, I have no idea if its supposed to excite the rust and encourage it to move, or if it does nothing. I tried some scrap stuff before I did what I wanted to reuse though.

Ackevor · Nov 5, 2015

Jeepsinker said:
Fluid film

Love Fluid film. The canned stuff is convenient, if you find yourself wishing you could control rust underneath better, then buy a gallon or 5 gallon can at Napa or anywhere else that sells it. My 5 gallon pail of the NAS formula cost $170 and will be enough to do my 3 vehicles for 2 years or so. Very good stuff.

LeoUSA · Nov 5, 2015

Hello CARNAC,
I have used with muriatic acid (dilute as necessary) then baking soda to neutralize with great results; quick and simple.
If you use White Vinegar you still need a neutralizer! (Baking Soda) After rinsing the chains with water then drying I sometimes spray the chains with a light coat of WD40.
By the way, do not use salt.

LeoUSA · Nov 5, 2015

Hello Ackevor,
A one (1) gallon of Muriatic Acid ($

and $10 of Baking Soda will easily out perform the expensive $170 NAS formula / Fluid film.
Try some muriatic acid and baking soda some time.

Ackevor · Nov 5, 2015

LeoUSA said:
Hello Ackevor,
A one (1) gallon of Muriatic Acid ($ and $10 of Baking Soda will easily out perform the expensive $170 NAS formula / Fluid film.
Try some muriatic acid and baking soda some time.

For rust treatment and prevention for the underside of vehicle's? I used to play with muriatic acid as a kid to make 2 liter bombs, not exactly sure how it, with baking soda will stick to the underside of a vehicle and keep it protected all winter long. I remember it being rather watery and evaporate.

Unless you thought I meant fluid film to be used to remove rust? Thats not what its for, it seeps in, and treats metal, including rusted metal to keep it from growing, and it keeps good metal from rusting at all.

Wouldn't it just wash away after the first highway trip with all the road mist?

VPed · Nov 5, 2015

For rust removal, I suggest muriatic acid also. Then treat with phosphoric acid to prevent rust.

m109a2 · Nov 5, 2015

White vinegar also works great to etch galvanized surfaces to prime and paint.Al

armytruck63 · Nov 5, 2015

Don't use muriatic acid on the inside of a gas tank. You may end up with pin hole leaks. I learned this the hard way - luckily on a common gas can, not a tank.

whatadeuce · Nov 5, 2015

I have a 75 ton chain wrapped around my M35A2 bumper and winch assembly, and its rusty, so I am going to soak the chain in Muriatic acid, for a day, the rinse, then a solution of water and baking soda. The paint lady at HIOME DEPOT told me to then spray paint the chain with only light lists of spray, so as not to restrict the link movement ...

Jeepsinker · Nov 5, 2015

LeoUSA said:
Hello Ackevor,
A one (1) gallon of Muriatic Acid ($ and $10 of Baking Soda will easily out perform the expensive $170 NAS formula / Fluid film.
Try some muriatic acid and baking soda some time.

Huh? Fluid film is a preservative, not a rust remover. Did you just not formulate your thought completely before posting?

LeoUSA · Nov 5, 2015

Jeepsinker said:
Huh? Fluid film is a preservative, not a rust remover. Did you just not formulate your thought completely before posting?

Hello "Jeepsinker",
Why of course this post is about "Rust Remover" and "Ackevor" did not formulate his thoughts.

Jeepsinker · Nov 5, 2015

Ok. My point was that after the vinegar is used to remove rust, fluid film is an unbeatable corrosion inhibitor, short of nickel plating.

shenkmen · Nov 6, 2015

I use electrolysis.

Ackevor · Nov 6, 2015

LeoUSA said:
Hello "Jeepsinker",
Why of course this post is about "Rust Remover" and "Ackevor" did not formulate his thoughts.

I merely stated my thoughts on preventatives after someone mentioned Fluid Film. I already had posted my thoughts on removal with what was asked in a prior post.

Edit: correct auto correct...

CARNAC · Nov 6, 2015

I formalate mi thinks most oda time. My formala is 1 + 1 = 2 butt I kep getting 1.

whatadeuce · Nov 6, 2015

rumplecat · Nov 6, 2015

I have been restoring a small IH tractor that was in a fire, If you want to avoid pits and metal loss use electrolysis. I use muriatic acid acid on bulk items like chain, but if you leave them too long you can have hardness problems.

Vinegar and Salt for Rust Removal, Anyone tried this?

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