Effective ways to remove rust from metal before painting

Treating rust before painting the metal is a necessary component of repair work.

The purpose of this effect is not only to restore the metal product’s attractive appearance, but also to maintain functionality and extend its service life.

We’ll talk about how to treat metal from rust before painting it in this article.

Types of processing of rusty metal surfaces

The choice of rust treatment method depends on the degree of corrosion and the type of item itself. It is also necessary to consider what metal care products are available and available for use.

The most common processing methods include:

1. Chemical.
2. Mechanical.
3. Thermal. It is carried out using a torch.

Rust cannot be removed by washing with plain water. For this purpose, targeted, comprehensive processing is required.

You will find all the most useful and important information about methods and techniques for removing rust in this section.

Thermal

Thermal method is rarely used. The use of an oxygen-acetylene torch makes it possible to remove mill scale well, but does not completely remove rust.

Mechanical

Physical impact on rust is designed to remove the top layer of material that has become loose. This can be done in several ways:

• manually (using a brush with metal bristles and scrapers);
• using a grinding machine or a special machine.

In addition to those products that are available at home, at industrial enterprises for treating rust Serious devices using special equipment are also used:

• shot blasting;
• water sandblasting;
• sandblasting

The best result is obtained by a combination of abrasive and chemical effects.

Chemical

Chemical treatment is carried out using homemade products and purchased, ready-to-use preparations. Besides, Large metal surfaces are also subjected to special influences to preserve and protect the material:

• connection with organic additives, providing bluing;
• cementation - a chemical reaction with carbon;
• nitriding, etc.

Treatments carried out at home include:

• preparation of material;
• exposure to a chemical;
• wash.

The type of chemical exposure must take into account the degree of damage to the metal.

How to remove plaque using folk remedies?

The combination of chemical treatment and mechanical action improves the effectiveness of the treatment method.. Homemade recipes are based on the use of easily available products that may already be in the household. Their main advantage is low cost and availability.

As a rule, the choice in favor of folk recipes is made with minor corrosion.Most often it is not difficult to deal with it.

Coca-Cola

Using Coca-Cola in the household allows you to clean various surfaces. One popular recipe is to use the drink to remove rust.

For that, In order for the phosphoric acid in the drink to take effect, you can use a rag soaked in Cola. A rag is soaked generously in the drink and applied to the surface that needs to be cleaned from corrosion.

This recipe is suitable when the rust has not penetrated deep into the metal, since the concentration of phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola is low. The exposure time should be at least several hours, preferably a day.

But if the metal is seriously damaged, this method is ineffective. At the end of exposure, the cola is washed off with water and the surface is wiped dry. When using Cola, it is enough to use only rubber gloves as a means of protection. Read more about using Coca-Cola against rust. Here.

Acids

Various acids have proven themselves in the fight against rust:

Lemon

One of the easiest recipes to deal with rust is to use citric acid.

The product can be used in two ways:

• apply generously with a sponge to the affected areas of the metal;
• soak a rag in the solution and apply to the rusted areas.

The last of the presented options is more effective, but even this method will not eliminate serious corrosion.

The composition lasts for at least an hour. After this, the metal should be cleaned with a stiff brush, and the residue should be washed off.Read more about the use of citric acid in the fight against rust. here.

Vinegar

Vinegar also allows you to remove rust during mild corrosion processes. For exposure, undiluted vinegar is used.

If the rusted items are small in size, they can be placed in a container and simply poured. For large metal objects, ensure that the cleaned surface comes into contact with vinegar.

After exposure to acetic acid, the surface is refined by mechanical rubbing and washing off the remaining vinegar.

Before painting directly, the metal must be primed. You can learn more about using vinegar to combat metal corrosion from this articles.

Sorrel

Oxalic acid is a drug that comes in powder form.. This remedy gives good results, but requires very careful use, as it is poisonous. Use may only be carried out in compliance with all necessary protective measures.

How to use:

1. Apply the solution generously with a brush.
2. Leave for 30-40 minutes.
3. Remove loose rust.
4. Rinse off any remaining product with water.

Oxalic acid is suitable for advanced cases and large area surface treatment.

Orthophosphoric

Phosphoric acid is a commonly used component of ready-made rust converters.

This substance is highly effective and can be used even in advanced cases.

To prepare metal for painting, an acid concentration of 15-20% is required.Exposure to orthophosphoric acid should not be long - just 5 minutes is enough. After this, you can walk over the surface with a brush.

All work must be carried out in conditions of sufficient ventilation and using protective equipment. More information about the use of phosphoric acid - here.

How to clean with special compounds?

Purchased anti-corrosion treatments have a rich composition containing active substances in high concentrations. These drugs will help in cases where there is advanced corrosion with serious damage to the metal, covering a significant area or the surface of serious equipment, for example, a car, is damaged.

Before using the converter, the surface must be prepared:

• eliminate contamination;
• clean off loose layers of rust;
• degrease the surface.

Hi-Gear Rust Treatment

Hi-Gear is a rust converter that can cope with even advanced corrosion, as it penetrates even into the deep layers of the material. The drug is applied by spraying. As a result of a chemical reaction, rust is eliminated, and a polymer protective composition is formed on the surface.

Using Hi-Gear requires care, since the composition is capable of reacting not only with corrosion products, but also with the paintwork. After exposure to the converter, it must be washed off using alcohol-based solvents.

Despite the high price for the bottle, the purchase can be considered profitable, since the consumption of the product is very economical.The price of the package is about 700 rubles.

Phenom

Hairdryer is a rust converter that is often chosen by car enthusiasts. The product is well distributed on the surface and creates a dense polymer layer. The drug is a reliable means of preventing relapse of corrosion at the treatment site for many years.

The hairdryer comes in a compact black package and is a white liquid.. Due to the small volume of the product in one bottle, several bottles may be needed to treat a large area of ​​metal.

Pros of use:

• efficiency;
• affordable price for 1 bottle;
• a protective layer is created;
• quick and easy application - brush application;
• high-quality metal processing through complex influence.

The price of a small bottle is about 150 rubles.

Kudo KV-70005

Kudo is a structural modifier that effectively combats rust due to the presence of acids. The drug can be used to eliminate small areas of corrosion. The product is packaged in small bottles and is conveniently applied with the included brush.

Price for 15 ml - 120 rubles.

Recommendations

To ensure that rust treatment on metal is as productive as possible, the following recommendations must be adhered to:

1. The corrosion process begins from the most vulnerable areas.Its spread can be prevented by cleaning and creating a protective coating.
2. When carrying out rust removal work, personal protective equipment must be used.
3. When working with purchased products, rust converters, you must first study the instructions for the selected product and strictly follow them.
4. Even expensive rust converters are not able to restore metal if it has very significant damage, for example, through corrosion.
5. Preventing rust will help keep your metal products in good condition.
6. The most reliable protection of metal is its galvanization. The use of products containing zinc helps prevent corrosion.

Video on the topic of the article

This video will tell you how to get rid of rust on metal:

Conclusion

Preparing a rusted surface for painting is a necessary condition that will allow the coating to adhere well. This requires an integrated approach and complete elimination of corrosion.