How To Remove Rust from Tools

Last updated: 1 May 2023

To remove rust and grime from tools, the first step is to obtain all-purpose cleaning vinegar. Pour the vinegar into a bucket and submerge the rusty tools, ensuring that they are fully covered. After approximately 24 hours, the vinegar will begin to dissolve the rust and grime from the tools, preparing them for the next step in the cleaning process.

We need to go ahead and remove the tools from the bucket. Rinse off the vinegar using cold water. And then we’ll start to clean up the tools using steel wool we may have to upgrade to sandpaper depending on how bad the surface rust is. The vinegar does a very good job just to start the process of removing all the old rust dirt grime and so forth.

The next step will be to remove as much rust as possible off of these tools.
Usually, I’m using steel wool. Steel wool has several different types of coarseness. They have something called superfine which is indicated by four zeros and then it goes all the way up to coarse for I believe is the highest. I always use “coarse 3”.

If you don’t have steel wool try 100 or 120 grit sandpaper and you should have some pretty good results. The steel wool or sandpaper does a very good job at cleaning up the metal this is maybe 30-45 seconds worth.

Dremel

For faster work you can try is using a Dremel.
The Dremel is a useful DIY tool that does a very good job of sanding, cutting, polishing, and whatever you want to do.

If you opt to use a Dremel for tool or part cleaning, I recommend using stainless steel and brass brushes, sanding paper, and sanding bands as attachments. Selecting the appropriate attachment will depend on the level of dirt or grime on the tool or part you wish to clean. With the right nozzle and attachments, you can effectively and efficiently remove rust and grime from your tools.

After all these steps, you can cover your tool with primer and paint.

Final Thoughts

Some pretty good results just by using cleaning vinegar, steel wool, sandpaper, and a little elbow grease. I hope this is helpful, thank you for reading.