Got rusty tools? Rust removal is quick and easy with vinegar. Learn how to clean-up and de-rust your tools in a couple simple steps.
Rust Removal
Is Easy-Peasy With Vinegar
A while back, Luke went to the Model T Swap Meet — an annual event for over 60 years. Luke, as you may know, builds and restores hot rods and classic cars for a living. So, these types of shows and swap meets are firmly imprinted on our calendar. You can check out some of our other adventures here.
This trip to the Model T Swap Meet, Luke came home with some new-found treasures. An old metal chisel and a couple of punches in sizes he did not already own. Needless to say, he was thrilled. These tools were in pretty great shape considering they are antiques, just a bit on the rusty side. Vinegar makes rust removal a snap. The vinegar actually does most of the work for you.
Honestly, you only need a few things to remove rust from metal tools, etc.
- Vinegar
- Plastic or glass container
- Steel wool
Simply place the tools into your container and pour undiluted vinegar over them. Let them sit. You will see bubbles as the vinegar reacts with the rust.
Every so often, check on the rust removal progress. Once you think all the rust is removed that will be, remove the tools and rinse them in water.
Then, you can see any remaining rust spots and give them a little wipe with some steel wool. The rust has been loosened with the vinegar, so it rubs off quick and easy.
Rinse and dry tools thoroughly. See how great they look? These antique tools have lost some of their paint from age, use, and the vinegar. If that bothers you, you can spray them with some rust-resistant paint.
Is this not the easiest way to de-rust things? And you probably have everything you need to do the job sitting around your house or garage.
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I knew vinegar was great for so many things, but I honestly did not know that vinegar could remove rust. This is amazing. I have a few antique things that are rusty. I need to try this ASAP. Thanks so much for this handy tip. No more rusty tools at my house!
Vinegar is amazing for so many things. I am glad I could give you another easy use for it. It really is amazing how well this works to remove rust from tools. 🙂
I love vinegar, it can do so much! I had no idea it could take off rust like this. Thanks for sharing this great tip at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
That’a a really useful tip! I have been buying rust remover but now I’ll use Vinegar! So much safer! Thanks for the great tip!
#HomeMattersParty
Jeannee
Vinegar is awesome, Jeannee! 🙂
Love this trick. I have tried this once when my jewelry pliers were rusty. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks for sharing these great tips! I never know how to safely remove rust and plan to try this when I do my spring cleaning.
This is great to know! IronFish and I just found some amazing antique doors and need to remove the paint and rust from the original hardware. #homeMattersParty
Awesome! I can’t wait to see how the vinegar works for you, and what you do with the doors! 🙂
Great tips. I inherited some of my grandfather’s tools and they are just a collection of rust. Now I know how to clean them up so I can pass them on to my son.
This does seem extremely easy. Thank you so much for sharing this!
It never came to my mind that you could use vinegar for these purposes. Thank you for the trick! I’ll put it into practice as soon as possible!