Rich I used the vinegar for several years to derust odds and ends, but over the last couple of years have started using citric acid instead. Besides working better/faster it is as cheap or cheaper and doesn't have as strong of an odor.

I did a side by side test between citric acid and vinegar when I did the last batch of tools I brought back from the old farm and it sold me on the citric acid. This is the result after 24 hours with the vinegar on the left and citric acid on the right. The vinegar probably would have done a little better had the temperature been a little warmer.




It's a little harder to find, but stores that sell canning supplies usually have it. I just ordered 5 more pounds from Amazon ($18). I used 2 pounds to clean about 2-300 pounds of old hand tools so this batch should last me several years.



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