molasses rust remover

[Landreo]

My co-worker was telling me how good molasses worked for him as a rust remover. I know it is a chelating agent for iron but was doubtful as to how well it would really work. I went to the deer bait department at TSC and got a gallon for $8, mixed 1 part to 4 parts water and placed some test rust in the mix. I used a piece of sheet metal with surface rust, new hot rolled with mill scale, and a motor terminal box with deep rust pits. Sat for a week since I never made it back to the molasses. After a week, the rust on the sheet metal and deeper rust on the cast terminal block was gone. Most of the mill scale was gone but not all.

I had a rusted inside briggs engine 1 gallon tank, washed with muriatic acid, washed with water until no flakes came out. Still with lots of solid rust so I plugged the outlet and filled with new molasses mix. Sat for two days and came out rust free.

The cost is $8 to make 5 gallons as compared to Evapo Rust which is $20 a gallon. May be an alternative for liquid rust removal.

[Stanton]

Good to know...and all nat-ur-al to boot! Thanks.

[SundaySailor]

I've heard about using molasses to remove rust before too. It does make a sticky mess, but it also does the job.

[pickerandsinger]

There's a post on you tube about using it .....Car restoration....I believe they used a 10 parts water/ 1 part molasses .....Said it works but takes time

[Rudi]

We've known about the molasses mix for a number of years - about the same time that we were experimenting with TSP and doing all the discussions/tests/testimonials etc., over various ways to remove rust. Personally I believe molasses, even black strap belongs in the kitchen waiting to go on my plate ... , but that is just me. A lot of the antique car and motorcycle guys swear by it and there are probably as many who like molasses as those who like Washing Soda or TSP. Just a different method.

[Hengy]

Looks like it completely gets rid of the rust, but sure takes a long time to wait for it to come out. I can wire brush and sand quite a few hoods, fenders and trim parts in three weeks!!

I do like the electrolysis treatment, though...

[thiggy]

Is the molasses used in conjunction with the electrolysis, or just by itself?

[Barnyard]

Is the molasses used in conjunction with the electrolysis, or just by itself?

By itself.

[Gary Dotson]

I've been wanting to try the molasses method for some time, but haven't gotten around to picking up a jug, yet. My wife collects kerosene lanterns and learned of this method from other collectors several years ago. It's the recommended method for gently but thoroughly de-rusting those old lanterns.

[TJG]

Is it hard to wash off the molasses? And does the molasses protect from new rust, or does the item just rust again after you rinse off the molasses?

Has anyone used Coke soda pop for rust removal? I know it will eat away nearly anything.

Todd

[Barnyard]

Todd, the molasses will wash off, but you have to primer the part or it will flash rust.

[Rudi]

I've been wanting to try the molasses method for some time, but haven't gotten around to picking up a jug, yet. My wife collects kerosene lanterns and learned of this method from other collectors several years ago. It's the recommended method for gently but thoroughly de-rusting those old lanterns.

I think for Gary's uses the molasses might be a good choice - there are next to no negatives about it and it is mild which is good for delicate items.

[oronc]

Haven't tried this,Way to sticky for me. I been testing 3 different things on bolts,nuts,ETC. REAL!!! Lemon juice, white vinegar and coca-cola. I liked the lemon juice the best, Cola left a little sticky resisdue to clean up, And vinegar just stinks!!! Did work though, Lemon juice rinse off dry & primer.

[Landreo]

I prefer mechanical methods of rust removal, sand blasting or wire brush but for some things liquid rust remover such as evapo rust seems ideal except...the cost. I have not seen a post on this board as to folk's experiences so I thought i would post mine. I don't think I will use it ofter but I have a few more gas tanks that need cleaned and the molasses is inexpensive.

[Gary Dotson]

As to concerns about molasses being a sticky mess, I would think that after diluting it with water, it should rinse off fairly easy. I guess I need to find out.