Vinegar Rust Removal

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SlickGTP

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Along the same lines of the molasses method in regard to home remedies of rust removal I heard something about using vinegar to flush out a cooling system on vehicles and the rust removing properties of vinegar. So, I decided I'd try it. Takes a bit longer than say EvapoRust or something similar, but if you aren't in a hurry...

Before:
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After:
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The yellowing on some of the after pics is where I didn't rinse it off quick enough and it started drying with the vinegar solution on the part. The black spots are original coating/undercoating that the rust hasn't gotten past yet.

The amazing thing to me is that you pull it out 12-24hrs later and it still looks rusty, but just lightly run a brush across it and the rust just wipes away basically... For heavily rusted items I've had it take up to a couple of days but also might have something to so with the strength of the solution as well(some of it was diluted with tap water).
 

DoubleDingo

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Wow! Good results.
 

SlickGTP

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I didn't specify explicitly above, but basically you have to have the part submerged in the vinegar. The biggest con for me is the time it takes, but for $2-3 a gallon on the vinegar, it sure beats the $20+ price tag on less than a gallon of EvapoRust.
 

greencountry05

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350runner

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This is awesome. I'm doing this right now

Sent from the dust in front of you!
 

HotRodPC

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That would be cheaper than molasses too. And molasses is also that slow. Soaking overnight or even days if it's real bad. And maybe even do a better job. So is that soaked in full 100% Vinegar? No water just straight Vinegar?
 

SlickGTP

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You can cut the vinegar with water if you need to, but I have a feeling it reduces how much rust it'll take care of. I don't think I've cut it by more than 50% on the extreme side in my experimentation.
 

89Suburban

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That's really cool Slick, thanks for sharing.
 

dvdswan

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simply awesome. I'm going to use this idea on some parts this week.
 

Swims350

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I've had hrpc's old 2bbl carb soaking in apple cidar vinegar for like 3 or 4 days now lol, it still works because it grows huge bubble piles on top of it and I just stir it around or flip stuff over everyday or so.
 

HotRodPC

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I've had hrpc's old 2bbl carb soaking in apple cidar vinegar for like 3 or 4 days now lol, it still works because it grows huge bubble piles on top of it and I just stir it around or flip stuff over everyday or so.

I'll be convinced if that bitch get's cleaned. That carb sat outside in the weather for at least 10 years.
 

Boone83K10

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I used vinegar to clean fuel filler lines on my dual tanks.
 

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