Deep rust removal

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Vanguard.223

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Sep 5, 2012
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Hey guys, hope I posted this in the right place for some good replies! I have an old Ranger pocket knife that my dad was given from serving in Desert Storm and it was kind of neglected and ended up with some extremely bad rust spots, what can I do to get them out? I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper but that's all I have on hand so I can't go any higher. It seems I removed the "surface" rust but I can't get to the deep stuff.

I'm trying to upload pics via tapatalk and I can't get it to work, any help there too? Haha.

Thanks for any advice about the knife and rust. I really wish I could show y'all it. It's really a cool knife!
 
You might want to try some Naval Jelly. It's a reducing acid (HCl) in gel form that dissolves rust. You swab it on and rinse it off.
 
It's marketed by Loc-Tite. Check the Loc-tite website for local dealers.
 
for deep stuff I typically use Vinegar, a good long soak in it will break apart any rust problems you have.
 
Awesome guys thanks! I think if I can get this thing cleaned up it will be pretty sharp looking, not to mention patriotic! I'll fix it up and post pics if I can figure out how too. Thanks!
 
tiguy7 said:
You might want to try some Naval Jelly. It's a reducing acid (HCl) in gel form that dissolves rust. You swab it on and rinse it off.
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Be advised that it will etch the cr@p out of the metal surface and likely leave pitting.
 
Vanguard.223 said:
I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper but that's all I have on hand so I can't go any higher. It seems I removed the "surface" rust but I can't get to the deep stuff.

I'm trying to upload pics via tapatalk and I can't get it to work, any help there too? Haha.
Click to expand...
I would clean it up with fine sandpaper, maybe a light etch with vinegar, neutralize with baking soda and water, give it a scrub with 0000 steel wool, oil it and leave it alone. You can get a variety pack of paper (usually ranging from 180-400 grit) at any hardware store for a few bucks.

Trying to get all the pits "out" will likely mean you'd have to sand away a fair amount of steel - there's no such thing as "removing" flaws from steel; you have to remove everything around the flaw to get down to an even smooth surface.

You can link to your pics if they're posted to photobucket or a similar service.
 
There is also stuff called Evapo Rust.

You should beable to find it at hardware stores, auto parts stores, etc.

I've heard great things about it.
 
Any rust dissolving gel from auto parts store works fine.
You can also soak it in the vinegar, as described above.
 
I would suspend the knife in a jar with the blade dipped into a penetrating oil (like Kroil, but any decent oil would work), and leave it immersed for a couple of days. Take it out and scrub the blade with a toothbrush or fine bristle brush. Repeat if necessary.

That ought to work without having to etch the steel in acids, nor will it make the knife "smaller" from sanding.
 
Sorry I'm just now getting back, but I guess I will just try these ideas one by one and end on the one that works! Haha, the vinegar seems simplest so I think I will try that first. I'll let y'all know how it turns out. Thanks!
 
CWL said:
I would suspend the knife in a jar with the blade dipped into a penetrating oil (like Kroil, but any decent oil would work), and leave it immersed for a couple of days. Take it out and scrub the blade with a toothbrush or fine bristle brush. Repeat if necessary.

That ought to work without having to etch the steel in acids, nor will it make the knife "smaller" from sanding.
Click to expand...

I've done similar with Kroil just sitting on the surface (not actually suspended in liquid) and gotten pretty good results.
 
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