Removing rust from a chain

[fiver]

we just stole them from other trucks if we needed one.

 

[trapper9260]

There another way to remove the rust, it take a long time for it ,l you have a marsh like that is all black mud and put the chain in that and let sit for a time the mud will remove the rust and turn the metal black side , the acids and all that is in the mud . I found that out when I trap in mashes and the wire looks good and no rust and some that was rusted end up clean up. Can try if you like to see how it work out

 

[Hawk]

I just want to use it to secure my 4 wheeler, but it is pretty nasty.
I know there are a lot of chemists, pharmacists, metallurgists and smart people on this forum and thought there might be a mixture of cheap components that would knock of the rust. If there exists, someone on this forum would know what it was.
I keep a 3" x 30' tow strap in my truck along with a 30' piece of G7 chain, for towing (IIRC, Texas requires a chain to tow a vehicle).
I have some chemistry knowledge, but mostly just use it to turn Scotch into a different chemical composition.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Naval Jelly, Sold by Loctite as "Rust Dissolver" is an option.

 

[Loren]

Put it in a bucket with vinegar. Works , but is not real fast/aggressive.

 

[358156 hp]

Heck, toss it in the same bucket and pour a gallon of Evaporust over it and let it sit covered for a few days, then rinse and oil.

 

[fiver]

if it's just a surface rust a pressure washing would remove most of the gunk.
after that something to turn the rust would do the trick.
the car repair places have a chemical that turns surface rust kind of back into metal it makes it all black though. [naval jelly]

 

[Dusty Bannister]

Oh I stop by a few times a day to see what is going on. I usually can not add anything to the topic. Could not miss the opportunity to maybe lighten things up a bit.

 

[Ian]

if it's just a surface rust a pressure washing would remove most of the gunk.
after that something to turn the rust would do the trick.
the car repair places have a chemical that turns surface rust kind of back into metal it makes it all black though. [naval jelly]

Ospho?

Boiling it vigorously in plain water will convert the surface rust to black Fe03 and the crusty buildup on top of that will become loose, orange powder and card right off.

Boiling in water for an hour and carding with a soft wire brush is how you save rusty guns, blued tools such as impact sockets, and get rid of the brown crust that always forms on RCBS reloading tools.

 

[Glaciers]

Used Ospho on unprotected steel on our vessels in the salt water. Cleans up well when you add some elbow grease. NAPA had a product call Extend which turned rust into a black primer. Had to have the scale off though.
Rusty chain. Drag it down a dirt road, works good. Most anything else is to much trouble.

 

[Missionary]

Dragging chains down asphalt roads.... Always wondered how anyone could / would drag a heavy long chain around for hours and never wonder what all the racket was. Makes me wonder how many forest / grass fires get started that way.

 

[blackthorn]

Place chain in bucket, cover with hot/warm water with a couple of tablespoons citric acid in it. Wait a week or so, shaking the whole thing every two or three day. Rust will be gone.

 

[Dusty Bannister]

I am sure it depends upon where you are, but generally black top roads are two lane, have a shoulder and several feet before grass, leaves or other debris is found. The chain will follow the vehicle in the roadway. Driving lanes of about 12 feet in width, then the shoulder, quite a jump for a spark. While possible, would think that exhaust sparks would be more likely. Most of this discussion was about sand, gravel, or dirt and lower speeds.

 

[JWFilips]

When I read this I immediately remembered a time when I had the opposite problem!
I needed a large chain as a prop but it had to be rusty and old looking! My FIL gave me a great big link chain! however it was Galvanized but oxidized!
OK I built a big fire and got a lot of hot coals and through the chain in! When It got red I through it in a tub of salt water and let it sit for a few days.
Then took it out and hung it in the area I needed to take the photograph I needed! After a few days of high humidity and rain I had my "Goth" shot !

My associates who were portrait photographers asked If they could use it with their wrought Iron Gate & I said, take it I did not need it again.
Sold that shot to My commercial client and the Portrait guys used that Gate and that Chain for Goth High School senior portraits for at least 3 years ( as long as that "Goth" fad lasted!) That darn chain made a lot of money for our studio!

 

[fiver]

the Goth thing wasn't a 'fad', it not only lives on, but was around back in the 50's and 60's.
it had even been a bit popular even in the late 1800's and early 1900's, it just wasn't out on the streets.

 

[Ian]

I thought it had been a thing since about 1100 A.D.

 

[fiver]

well yeah,,, but, no.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

EVAPO-RUST has become my GO TO!!

But if ya do "gun stuff". BlueIng is a corrosion... and it will be removed !

cw

 

[Rally]

If the rust is scaly, just shake the chain, enough to get the loose stuff off then wax it. I wax all my chains the same time I wax my traps. The solution is 75% Paraseal wax and 25% beeswax. I have canning pots 3/4 full of the wax and heat until liquid, then drop the chain/trap into it, then leave the chain in the pot until it quits sizzling/bubbling. When it stops bubbling the chain is the same temp as the wax and will leave a nice thin flexible coating on the chain, and alot of that loose rust falls off in the process.

 

[4060MAY]

electrolytic rust removal, had a No.2 Rolling Block with extreme rust and scale on it, used sodium carbonate and a 12v battery charger, instructions https://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/