Rust removal?

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Rust removal?

Postby southernjoel » Nov 16, 2005 1:07 pm

What are some safe ways to remove rust from metal gear? I have an old smc rack and a few other items that are in need of a clean up. Thanks
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Postby Phil Winkler » Nov 16, 2005 1:53 pm

Emery cloth and light oil or even fine steel wool and light oil.
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Postby ian mckenzie » Nov 16, 2005 2:24 pm

I've oiled my machete but not sure I'd oil my vertical gear...
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Postby Scott McCrea » Nov 16, 2005 2:37 pm

I would use a ScotchBright pad. Just rub the rust off.

But more importantly, why is your stainless steel/alumunim rack rusting? Neither of those materials should rust.
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Postby Cheryl Jones » Nov 16, 2005 3:03 pm

But more importantly, why is your stainless steel/alumunim rack rusting?


Hey young 'un -- way back when, racks were made out of regular ol' rusting steel.

The best way to keep them from rusting is to go vertical caving regularly! Get those brake bars sliding up and down the rack and rub some gritty cave mud on it with your gloves. :grin: And a light coating of something like WD-40 (It's the only light lubricant/oil I know, not being a mechanical type) will help protect the rack during long a hiatus. Of course drying out your gear after a wet caving trip helps.....

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Postby Biggimo1 » Nov 20, 2005 8:40 am

Scott McCrea wrote:I would use a ScotchBright pad. Just rub the rust off.

But more importantly, why is your stainless steel/aluminum rack rusting? Neither of those materials should rust.



Some lower grades of stainless and aluminum will rust. Just not as bad as regular steel.
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Postby Mark620 » Nov 20, 2005 8:34 pm

300 grades of stainless steel do not rust. 302, 303, 304, 316.
400 grades of stainless steel do rust . 416, 417 etc.
Aluminum does not rust per se...it oxidizes.

Rust requires iron and iron is not present in aluminum.
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