How To: Restoration of Ford M8 armoured car US Ordnance number 7373

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I’ve also been following Rick’s lead in using a molasses mixture to remove some of the rust from the more heavily corroded items that I have for the M8.

I’ve attached some before and after photos. I’ve experimented with a 10-1 mix and an 8-1 mix and both gave similar results for me. I gave the few bits I've done a light wirewheel after drying and it brings the steel up very shiny.

What I like about it is that it is non-toxic and you can safely leave it to do its thing in the garage. It also gets into places that a sandblaster can’t and it really leaves nuts, bolts and threads nice and clean. It will not remove paint or grease, but if the paint is flaking, I’ve found it will lift that flaky paint off. I have some bigger and more corroded items in the molasses now so I'll report back on how they go.