Evapo-Rust (Rust Remover) - A 100% thumbs up

[KA1J]

Evapo-Rust is a rust remover that you can get from AutoZone and Tractor Supply to mention two places. You'll need to go to their website to find out who handles it in your area.

http://www.evaporust.com/

It's a non-Acid bio-degradable rust remover which eliminates rust in short order, very short order. I was looking to de-rust a gas tank I just bought and didn't want to use acids and electrolysis which is fun, doesn't always leave the best look after it's completed. I needed something that would remove rust only and not etch the metal away.

I've had it for a month or so and finally am getting onto the cleaning of Chrome & the first two things were the rear foot pegs and the tree for the mirrors. As to the tree, the side facing the wind was rusted pretty badly and I was going to look for a used one & put it on. Instead I left it & the tightening nuts overnight in a shallow glass tray with the rusty side up. This morning when I looked I saw the rust just where it was & thought I got burned but when I removed it from the evapo-rust, all that rust fell off and what has happened was it removed the rust & it remained in solution hovering above the metal.

I can't see a spec of rust, no chrome was etched in the least and it looks like it's 100% NOS. Exact same for the metal on the foot pegs! So I clear coated them to prevent future oxidation & I'm good to go.

This stuff is amazing.

I called the company before buying to learn more about it and the tech said to keep reusing it as it takes a long time for the solution to become saturated from the rust.

Disclaimer; I have no vested interest & bought a one gallon jug from Tractor supply.

Gary

[jwhughes3]

Gary I agree...

Gary,

I have found it to work well too on the few things I have used it on. I only have a quart so I am less liberal in its application.

Thanks for reminding me about it.

John

[jetmechmarty]

As an alternative, I had the same results with Metal Rescue.

[mmaddix]

Has anyone used this inside the gas tank and if so do you think I should take the petcocks and gas cap off so it won't mess with the rubber.

[Shacknasty]

Has anyone used this inside the gas tank and if so do you think I should take the petcocks and gas cap off so it won't mess with the rubber.

I've used it several times to clean tanks with excellent results. I always pull the petcock and cap, replace with rubber stoppers from a beer brewing store. You'll hafta prop the tank in different positions to let the liquid reach all parts of the tank.

[jetmechmarty]

Has anyone used this inside the gas tank and if so do you think I should take the petcocks and gas cap off so it won't mess with the rubber.

I used Metal Rescue inside a tank. It works 4.0. I removed the cap and cocks. I replaced the cap with a big rubber stopper from Ace Hardware and metal speed tape over the petcock holes. It worked perfectly, especially turning the tank upside down and derusting around the filler port. How else would you get that done?

[Shacknasty]

BTW, the evapo can be re-used unless the tank is all rust. For light rust, it can do three or four tanks. Vinegar also works very well and is a ton cheaper.

Whatever ya use, rinse well, dry with a blow dryer and spray with WD-40 ASAP or it will flash rust before you can fill it with fuel.

[jetmechmarty]

BTW, the evapo can be re-used unless the tank is all rust. For light rust, it can do three or four tanks. Vinegar also works very well and is a ton cheaper.

Whatever ya use, rinse well, dry with a blow dryer and spray with WD-40 ASAP or it will flash rust before you can fill it with fuel.

Vinegar does not do the same thing. It's an acid. It transforms the rust and etches the metal. One of you chemists please chime in.

[Shacknasty]

You are correct that it does not do the same thing chemically, but it will remove rust. Rinse with baking soda in h2o. Then plain h2o, dry, etc.

[jetmechmarty]

I have the luxury of a bunch of crap around here, so I did three methods. I did electrolysis, acid bath, and Metal Rescue. By far, the easiest and neatest method was with the Metal Rescue. Nothing is left in the tank but shiny clean metal. Electrolysis will get it done, but it takes a lot more patience. Also, how do you get the whole top of the tank with electrolysis? The acid bath leaves a hard black substance where the rust was, and this metod will give you flash rust in a heartbeat after you're finished.

Metal Rescue and Evap-o-rust have only one disadvantage. $25 per gallon.

[DGXSER]

I tried using the Citric Acid method, similar to the vinegar. Honestly I was not impressed. I went to electrolysis instead. Worked, but I got pin holes in the tank and had to add a liner.

Next project like this I would use the evapo-rust based upon the reports here. $25 compared to the time and expense of all the methods I went through is cheap money in my book.

[GLoweVA]

Has anyone tried evaporust on the header pipes?
I'm thinking this might be something I may try on my SG headers.

I would think that a layer of rust on the inside of the pipes may be a good thing.
Kind of a protective corrosion layer to keep it from rusting further, but then if any of the rust gets knocked loose, it could clog up the muffler.

Edit: I just found out that the outer 2 headers are welded to the collectors, so.....
Can the evaporust stuff be applied onto the part, or does it have to sit in it for hours?
In other words, can I use like a turkey baseter and continuiosly apply the stuff to the header with some kind of drip pan underneath?

[jetmechmarty]

Has anyone tried evaporust on the header pipes?
I'm thinking this might be something I may try on my SG headers.

Edit: I just found out that the outer 2 headers are welded to the collectors, so.....
Can the evaporust stuff be applied onto the part, or does it have to sit in it for hours?
In other words, can I use like a turkey baseter and continuiosly apply the stuff to the header with some kind of drip pan underneath?

You have to soak in the stuff. What you're thinking of doing will be a waste of time and money. Erase that idea.

[GLoweVA]

Thanks Marty.
I may just turn the headers upside down and dip the flanges in some suitable container.

Can a plastic bag hold up to this stuff?
Maybe I can tape a bag around the header pipe and pour the evaporust into the bag and let it soak that way. Just an idea.

[jetmechmarty]

I can't be positive, but I believe anything can stand up to this stuff, except rust. It does not irritate my skin. I have only tried Metal Rescue and I am under the assumption that Evap-o-Rust is the same thing.

Just stand your headers in a plastic pail or lay them in a dish pan. Whatever you do, you don't want to lose this liquid, because you can keep using it until it's used up.