Inner Panel Rust Treatment - Decklid

[CFD244]

How do you get rid of the large quantities of acid when done?

 

[6PakBee]

I've used clear ammonia to neutralize acids. It's a weak base and gets in all the crevices the acid did.

 

[mopowers]

How do you get rid of the large quantities of acid when done?

Not sure if this was directed to me, but what I did with the 30:1 citric acid was added more water and neutralized it more with sodium bicarbonate, before dumping it down the drain. At 30:1, the citric acid solution to begin with is not very concentrated at all. I'm sure what I did was more than enough, considering lemon juice, soda, etc. are likely way more concentrated of acids than what I used. Next time, I'll probably just water it down before dumping.

 

[RAT ROD AL]

I figured I should go back and update this. I decided to give a citric acid bath a shot and it worked to perfection. I built a frame with some scrap lumber, lined it with several layers of plastic and made a pretty dilute citric acid solution mixed at 30:1 by weight water to citric acid. It took two days, but completely eliminated all hidden rust. Here are the results:

Before:

View attachment 1716113524

During:

View attachment 1716113527
After:

View attachment 1716113528

I'll be using this method again for sure. Here's the acid I bought. A 10lb bag was about $36 and is enough to make 36 gallons at the 30:1 ratio I used.

View attachment 1716113535

How long can you use this stuff before it fizzles out ?

 

[mopowers]

How long can you use this stuff before it fizzles out ?

Honestly, I'm unsure. When I did the large panels, it was so much that I didn't think of keeping a bucket of any of it. I just neutralized it some a dumped it all. I wouldn't imagine it'd be any different than any other acidic rust remover though. I'm sure you could use it over and over again.

 

[RAT ROD AL]

Looks like it worked good. I'm gonna give it a shot on all my rusted junk ! Thanks.