Rusty Rails

[3Dsigns]

I have two 60''x1"x1" rails which were allowed to get wet and they have surface rust. Could these rails be used if sandblasted with baking soda or fine sand?

I cant find any model numbers or manufacturer on them either. How hard would it be to find bearing blocks for them?

Thanks!

[under-dog]

I would think that the methods you mentioned may effect the surface too much.

This I believe will "kill" or "nuetralize" the rust

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Mach...stremoval.html


Or you could use some oil and real fine steel wool

[svenakela]

Steel wool is the way to go. I've done it and they work really good afterwards.
Try to clean the blocks as good as possible too.

Regards,
Sven

[3Dsigns]

Hey!
That's pretty cool!
I'll try it on a smaller piece of rail first before hunting down a vat long enough to accomodate the rails. At the price of new rails, it's worth a try.
Thanks

[3Dsigns]

Originally Posted by svenakela Steel wool is the way to go. I've done it and they work really good afterwards. Try to clean the blocks as good as possible too. Regards, Sven

Thanks!
I'll do that too.

[3Dsigns]

It worked like a charm. Tried it with a piece of galvanized pipe on the positive side, and nothing happened. The I grabbed peice of stainless and used that. It immediately began to boil around the peice of stainless, then on the rail.
Turned it black, then the rust just fell off with the steel wool.
Now to find a vat to hols those 5' rails.
Thanks guys.

[Mike Nash]

It's a bad idea to use chrome or stainless. The resultant soup is toxic per my web searches on this process. It cannot be disposed of legally in the USA very easily. Do a search on -> "electrolytic rust removal" chromate

Originally Posted by 3Dsigns It worked like a charm. Tried it with a piece of galvanized pipe on the positive side, and nothing happened. The I grabbed peice of stainless and used that.

[3Dsigns]

WOW!

It did make the stainless piece considerably brighter
Thanks for the warning.
Won't do that again.

[bigbunny5]

Steel wool is good idea, but I found that no matter how well you clean after using steel wool there is always some small bit lurking around to ensue Hilarity. I like to use "Scotch Brite" Green with my own special mix of Gun Oil and Auto Trans Fluid 50/50 doesn't leave scratches, but you might think about washing the oil off with Lacquer Thinner.