Thread: '37 Dodge sedan

Tweet

Can you share some info on the molasses tank please? I've heard of people using vinegar to remove rust but not molasses.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Can you share some info on the molasses tank please? I've heard of people using vinegar to remove rust but not molasses.

DISCLAIMER!!!!!!! I am not a chemist or metalergist, nor do I have your particular part in my hand to make an educated guess as to whether or not this process will work for you.

With that said, I should also note that I've only tried this process on a small scale (10 gallons) because I didn't have a large enough vessel to go bigger. I see no reason why it would work any differently on a larger scale, and I don't intend to change any part of my process now that I'm moving to a bigger tank.

I mix 9 parts water with 1 part molasses in a non-ferrous vessel. Submerge the part in the mixture and let it soak. Minor surface rust is usually gone within 24hrs, heavier rust can take up to 3 weeks to fully disappear. I pull the parts and hit them with the pressure washer, then use compressed air to fully dry quickly. Prime or paint immediately after to avoid surface rust.

Limitations: pot metal will disappear if you put it in this solution, I read that it would and decided to run a little experiment of my own with a '72 Ford interior door handle. Sure enough: no more door handle. I have also read that it can make cast iron brittle, though I've never tried it personally. Machined parts, I've read, can end up with pock marks in the machined surfaces. Further reading has led me to believe that using white lithium grease on the machined surfaces of a machined part will leave those areas untouched, but I've never tried that myself to verify.

There are a lot of videos on YouTube that demonstrate the process, and I recommend watching a few before trying this out for yourself. Its a cheap and easy alternative to many of the existing options for rust removal, but it does have it's limitations.