Molasses Rust Removal

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

What is it in molasses that does the derusting...... the potassium content??? and if so would not a weak potassium acid bath be cheaper, faster, less sticky and stinky without being lethal to the environment?????

Bob, I believe molasses has a pH of around 5-6, which means it is acidic. I suspect it is the organic acids that are responsible for the de-rusting process. Since it is a relatively weak acid, it is not too destructive on the parts (as everyone has noted). Thats also why it takes a bit of time to produce results. If you go to a stronger solution, it may be faster but also more damaging to your sensitive parts.

[Bob Carriere]

....the organic acid is?????

In sheet metal plants they wash the metal with a powder disolved in water.....very weak solution and I "think" it was potassium solution....... and they worked bare hands........ they dipped the plates only a few minutes than wash/rinsed with hot water to speed drying.....