rust on c.i. fittings

bob young

SCHMEAR with cutting oil. but not INSIDE

Frank_62

rust on c.i. fittings

we have a lot of new c.i. fittings that have accumulated rust on the surface from being in the shop truck etc. does anyone have any suggestions for something that we could use preferably something we can put in a sink and emerse them that would remove the rust. thanks

MikeyB

ftgs

WD-40 along with a scotch brite pad to scub off the rust usally works, not so sure about soaking them in any kind of solution, might be worried about the residule getting into the boiler water/system

chris_95

rust

always used a little dark cutting oil on a rag to wipe the outside of the fittings also on the lentghs that sat in the roof rack or shop too long brings them back up to clean!!!

MikeyB

rust

I remember when I first started out in the trade, my old boss used to make me clean the lengths of pipe (that laid on the garage floor) off w/cutting oil,

BAB

stopping rust

You can stop the acidic flash rusting activity by immersing in a solution of baking soda in water. A stronger basic (alkaline) solution can be made of white powdered garden lime and water. The lime solution, if mixed strong enough, after drying will leave a very light white residure that will protect your metals from future rusting. Oil is nice but messy and may end up in boiler return waters. The alkaline residue is a none issue. BAB

Supply House Rick

boiled linseed oil, wiped lightly, after assembly, will stop rusting too, just be careful with the oily rags, they'll heat and spontaneously combust if not disposed of properly.

carter_3

just have to ask ....

is this a new trick or an old time trick that most have forgotten?thats an awful lot of rusty fittings asking about the baking soda NOT THE LINSEED OIL"

bob young

fittings

Might be feasable for say a box car load of fittings. for just a few ???? who could possibly be bothered.

BAB

Time, Time

Young has a point. The only way to remove oxidation, corrosion, (rust) is chemically, ... and it is a lot of trouble. You can acid etch or pickle the rusty fittings in dilute HCl, hydrochloric acid, (Muratic Acid), or dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and then rinse well with water. But the whole process is not safe, time consuming & impractical. A half van of fittings is not worth the trouble.

Mike C._4

rusty fittings

Personally I have used a bead/sand blast cabinet to clean up rusty fittings-no chemicals and they look like new.

Mike