would like to know if anyone knows what chemical that is used to remove rust from track.There is a guy on ebay that sells old track that he restores using some chemical that desolves rust from tracks but dont wana share his secret with anyone .This chemical has been around since ww2 , so if anyone knows about it please let me know or has another idea to remove the rust please email me at ---g5hub9@aol.com —.
Thanks Greg
Greg,
I suspect what is being used is Navel Jelly. My Grandfather swore by this product to clean rust off his tools. If my memory is correct, it is Phosphoric Acid in a gel form. I’ve found food grade Phosphoric Acid cleans almost everything. And Phosphoric acid is great in your greenhouse to lower your water PH, and feed your plants phosphorus.
Now for the legal disclaimer.
Not sure why, but I haven’t tried either product myself on my older tubular track.
Rod LaFrance
I don’t think I’ve heard about Naval Jelly in 30 years - they still make that stuff?
A quick Google search shows it’s still available. Seems Ace hardware has it.
I seem to remember using it on Mag wheels in the 70’s. Had an awful stench to it.
Phosphoric acid is the reason why coke can also be used as a rust remover.
About the cheapest chemical remover you can get is Muriatic Acid, which is just a common name for Hydrochloric acid. I believe that Muriatic Acid is around 8 molar, which would amount to a pH -.9. For the sake of comparison, stomach acid(also hydrochloric) is around .001 molar, with a pH of 3.
If you use muriatic, just be sure to use it safely. Wear goggles at the very least, and preferably also acid resistant gloves and apron. Remove the pieces after a few minutes, or you’ll make more rust than you remove, and wa***hem in water immediately. Neutralize completely with baking soda or lime before disposing.
Oh, and one last biggie. Always add acid to water, and never the other way around.
If you’re going to dilute it, poor some water into the container, and slowly add in the acid. The reason for this is that dilluting acid is an exothermic process, and the water acts as heat sink to absorb the heat released. If you add a water to a quantity of acid, the heat realeased can cause the mixture to rapidly come to a boil and blow back up into your face.
I was told once the food grade Phosphoric Acid in coke was to keep the solution (colors) from separating. Any chemist out there? And yes I was told it could remove rust.
Rod L.
I’ve used vinegar and a household cleaner called Bar Keeper’s Friend (it contains oxalic acid; look for it in stores next to the Comet) to remove rust from track. It’s a slower process (if you soak it) or a lot harder work (if you scrub it), but safer than messing with stronger acids. I did well in high school chemistry, but that was 14 years ago. I don’t trust myself to remember all of the safety precautions.