The Power of Rust Remover Soak: Restoring Metal Surfaces

Most metal surfaces will deteriorate over time.  Usually, the culprit is moisture or moisture-carrying agents like seawater for near-ocean environments. Using WD-40 Specialist_® Rust Remover Soak to properly maintain metal surfaces more than pays back the time spent in maintenance.

The most common form of rust that most tools or metal components experience is when the iron component of steel reacts with the oxygen in the surrounding air.  With a little help from humidity, iron oxide (better known as rust) will form. Rust can cause structural weakness or deformation of the working surfaces of the tools that experience rust.Given enough time and exposure to these destructive environments tools eventually become unusable and must be re-machined or scrapped.

Moist air, especially combined with active chemical compounds can cause rapid deterioration of the working surface of tools. Many tools and machine parts come from the manufacturer wrapped in a protective coating that forms a temporary barrier against rust. This barrier is usually in the form of an oil-impregnated paper and is not intended to be a long-term solution.

However, addressing rust on tools or machine parts couldn’t be simpler.

The best defense is to routinely maintain tools and metal parts with a rust remover like WD-40 Specialist_® Rust Remover Soak. It is ideal for treating rusted parts to help ensure your tools are well maintained and can last for decades.

Rust Soaks are chemical formulations designed to remove rust by submerging a tool or part in them. The chemical formulation of the soak is then able to remove the rust that has formed on the surface, leading to new-looking tools and parts.

The key characteristic of rust remover soaks is their ability to dissolve rust by enveloping a tool or part and dissolving the rust at the affected area. Traditional formulations often contain caustic chemicals or acids, but this can lead to hydrogen embrittlement. This is a phenomenon where hydrogen molecules penetrate the metal, weakening it and causing it to be more likely to crack.

The WD-40 Specialist_® Rust Remover Soak is formulated differently. This unique soak is able to remove rust and restore surfaces to bare metal without the use of caustic chemicals or harsh acids. It is an effective solution for removing rust from tools, metal, cast iron, chrome parts, and various others, all without harming paint, gaskets, trim, or other surrounding parts. Typically a user will see results in 2 hours from submersion, but this time does vary depending on the severity of the rust. Some cases require overnight soaking.

The purpose of a rust remover soak is to dissolve rust that has formed on the surface of a metal part. Once the rust is removed, it’s easier to restore the parts to their original state. Manual agitation like scrubbing with a wire brush or steel wool or even a fine sandpaper for round unthreaded portions can greatly assist in removing the last bits of rust residue that may remain after a soak.

Need a solution to penetrate through rusted joints? Or remove rust from electrical components? Discover the right product for you in our WD-40 Specialist_® line!

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Conduct A Test Patch Before Applying

It never hurts to perform a test before taking the plunge. This ensures that the solution will not unexpectedly damage paint, gaskets, trim, or other surrounding parts. Conducting a spot test on an inconspicuous area before soaking an entire tool or part will save a lot of time and effort that can result from unforeseen damages. Do not use on parts that have bluing, browning or protective oxide paints, as those protective coatings can be removed.

Soaking Metal In Rust Remover Soak

To remove light rust, leave parts in the solution for 1-3 hours. To remove heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight.

Scrubbing Metal Surfaces with a Brush

There may need to be some cosmetic clean-up afterward using a wire brush or a wire wheel to break away those last bits of persistent rust.

Preventing Further Rust Formation

After removing the rust present on the tool or part, a protection agent like WD-40 Specialist_® Gel Lube will prevent the formation of more rest in the future. WD-40 Specialist_® Gel Lube is able to protect tools and parts for up to one year after application.

It's clear to see that Rust Remover Soaks are a necessary tool in the arsenal of maintenance professionals and ensure that tools and parts are restored to factory condition.

Find out more about WD-40 Specialist_® Rust Remover Soak, and locate a retailer near you today.

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