Oxalic Acid Rust Removal

[Jonathon Davis]

Has anyone tried this with good or bad results?

Apparently the concept is the same as a lye bath. Add crystals to water and then submerge the piece. The acid converts the rust without eating away the iron (as long as its removed in a reasonable amount of time).

I'm thinking of setting one up and try out some less than desirable pieces unless someone can talk me off the ledge. :)

[Cheryl Watson]

I take it you have been reading the discussion out in FB Land???

I would strongly discourage it.

While I have used a vinegar bath on occasion, oxalic acid is a much stronger acid.

I am also very sparing with Bar Keepers Friend, as it contains Oxalic acid.  I don't use BKF on Wagner pieces as I have observed color changes in the iron.  My personal opinion based on observation.

You may want to go the recovered threads at top of the WAGS Discussion Board and review the Great Molasses Experiment.

There is significant discussion out in FB Land that Molasses contains/or produces Oxalic Acid.

The ratio's are not established, so calculating "reasonable" time frames is a big unknown.

I give it a big thumbs down for now.... Principles of the Least in my mind....

Or you could well end up with this...

[Jonathon Davis]

That's disappointing. It would be nice to have a sit it and forget it option that you could have many pieces in at any given time. My etanks can only do one piece at once.

I can't say I'm too surprised. Most things that are too good to be true.....