DIY Rust Remover Formula

[dibbons]

Recipe: 1 liter hot water, 100 grams citric acid powder, 60 grams sodium carbonate powder (not baking soda) also known as washing soda, soda ash, sal soda, and soda crystals. When mixed the solution bubbles a little like sparkling water. It turns almost black during the cleaning process. I suspect that this formula may possibly mimic what is used in the product know as "Evaporust".

I made four gallons of the mixture to clean a couple of 340 intake manifolds. I removed the intake oil splash shield on one intake (the other was missing) and you can see the results in the photos after more than 12 hours in the "drink".

My internet cost: 2 kilos citric acid $22.32 USD; 2 kilos sodium carbonate $14.75

 

[Cuprum-74]

Recipe: 1 liter hot water, 100 grams citric acid powder, 60 grams sodium carbonate powder (not baking soda) also also known as washing soda, soda ash, sal soda, and soda crystals. When mixed the solution bubbles a little like sparkling water. It turns almost black during the cleaning process. I suspect that this formula may possibly mimic what is used in the product know as "Evaporust".

I made four gallons of the mixture to clean a couple of 340 intake manifolds. I removed the intake splash shield on one intake (the other was missing) and you can see the results in the photos after more than 12 hours in the "drink".

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View attachment 1716415338

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Pretty much, other products use phosphoric acid, (also in Naval Jelly, Rust Mort, Ospho, and most rust converters).
- It's also in most cola drinks like Coke and Pepsi. I actually saw an old timer using coke to remove rust off his chrome bumper on his 65' Belair once when I was younger. And we drink that stuff. (not me, I stick to Iced teas now)

Based on what you used it seems like you made a washing soda dip, but not quite the caustic soda (which is Sodium Hydroxide). Also note they use Sodium Bicarbonate in sodablasting.

*EDIT*: My mistake, Evaporust does not have phosphoric acid. It's uses a process of chelation instead of converting rust into an oxide coating.

 

[dibbons]

Pretty much, Evaporust's other main ingredient is phosphoric acid,

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The Evapo-Rust label does not list ingredients, but an E-Bay seller describes it below so I'm still not sure what the secret ingredient is but I know it does not "burn" my bare hands:​

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CRC Evapo-Rust, Heavy-Duty Rust Remover, Reusable, Acid-Free, Non-Corrosive, Water-based, 32 oz, Removes Rust to Bare Metal​

 

[Cuprum-74]

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The Evapo-Rust label does not list ingredients, but an E-Bay seller describes it below so I'm still not sure what the secret ingredient is but I know it does not "burn" my bare hands:​

​

CRC Evapo-Rust, Heavy-Duty Rust Remover, Reusable, Acid-Free, Non-Corrosive, Water-based, 32 oz, Removes Rust to Bare Metal​

I edited my post since then. Evaporust does not have phosphoric acid. It's a soda wash like what you made, chelates the rust, does not convert it.
CRC does make a rust converter, I imagine it has a phosphoric acid in it as well as other "trade secrets" chemicals in it.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I use white vinegar. It's cheap and works well.

 

[Cuprum-74]

I did see some of folks in other forums making a homemade caustic soda brew to remove rust, that's too much. It's basically Lye (sodium hydroxide).
What you made is safer, it works and won't cause alkali burns on the skin in case you have an accident.

 

[Dana67Dart]

The Evapo-Rust label does not list ingredients

Look for Evaporust SDS (MSD) sheet. It lists all the ingredients except the proprietary chelating agent.

It is around 80 to 90 percent water. Ever so slightly acidic. Like 6.0 to 7.0


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.evapo-rust.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Evapo-Rust-Safety-Data-Sheet-2015.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjY7duKneCNAxWXweYEHdyqKtoQFnoECCIQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw0MG5ETdLrOAiCjwPIDtQjl

In another post I posted a video really easy to understand how it works

 

[crackedback]

Evapo-Rust Patent #03510432A NONCORROSIVE RUST REMOVER Albert T. Squire

Quote Example 1:

Water 4000 gm. Ammonium citrate 200 gm. Sodium phosphate 40 gm. Sulfuric acid 17 ml. Surfactant (SLS) sodium lauryl sulfate, etc Preservative Agent (sodium benzoate, etc) as anti-mold

No acid huh?

If the PH is less than 7, it is acidic.