Evapo-Rust Experience (Pic Heavy)

[Iron Mike Golf]

Is Evapo-Rust a phosphoric acid based rust converter?...

No. It is waterbased and uses some sort of synthetic molecult to pull the iron out of rust. The iron there is weakly held, but the iron in the underlying steel is more stongly held. Evapo-Rust won't pull the oron out of un-corroded steel. So it just pulls off the rust. You do need to oil or wax right away after treatment.

It works better when warmer. Manufacturer recommends 60 degrees or warmer. Pour the solution back into the jug after treating. A gal wll treat for a long time. Pitch it when it no longer will pull off the rust.

I use it indoors. No fumes or hazmat aspect.

[Ziptar]

Thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye out for it and add it to my rust fighting arsenal.

[mpmarty]

That's why I only use Aluminum molds.

[Dale53]

Don't worry about re-bluing your moulds. Bluing is a form of rust. Bluing gives very little if any rust protection.

I store my moulds in a cabinet in my basement. I have central air and the whole house is low humidity. I get NO rusting whatsoever. However, if that is not possible for any of you, then storing the moulds in a GI ammo can with VIP paper or powder will protect them without causing "fill out" problems when you try to cast.

FWIW
Dale53

[michiganvet]

At NAPA I got a product which also has a permatex logo called RUST DISSOLVER GEL that you apply just to the rusty area. I haven't used it yet, brush on liberally, leave on 5-10 minutes, wash or rinse off with fresh water. $8.15 for a pint.

[zuke]

I picked up a liter container for $9.99 at Canadian Tire today

[cajun shooter]

I rechecked the Midway price on Evapo-Rust and it is now selling for $19.99 a gallon. Let me add this info If I may. On a lot of products that I have used it on, the residue is very light and the chemical is still clean looking. I pour this into another old bottle and use it over and it works just as well the second time. So if you want to be a bit frugal with this product ,you may.

[bxchef29]

nice results, does it work on rusty gun parts?

[jameslovesjammie]

nice results, does it work on rusty gun parts?

It will but it will also strip any bluing off.

[bxchef29]

ok , thanks

[wgr]

bet that would work wonders on a black powder barrel thats rusted

[zuke]

Anyone have a rusted out/garbage barrel to pour it into?

[The Virginian]

Yes, this stuff works great on guns and parts. I have done total restorations using this product and afterwards, polished and Belgian Blued or Rust blued the parts to complete satidfaction.

[longbow]

Not sure exactly what Evapo-Rust is but there are several products on the market that are phosphoric acid based. Plain old naval jelly is phosphoric acid with an adder to make it goopy and it takes off rust very well... and bluing. There are also a few rust converters you can find in auto parts stores but be careful, some of those have other additives that leave a coating on the surface. Some even contain a primer base that remains as a coating and you don't want that on your mould!

You shouldn't need to re-blue your moulds though it won't hurt. They should regain a heat blue when you cast a few times especially if you run them hot.

I make moulds of plain carbon steel and do not bother to blue them as they take on a heat blue during use.

I also oil my moulds after use. I live in a fairly dry environment but have always oiled my moulds especially when they are to be put away for a while. While my brass and aluminum moulds don't need, oil the steel sprue plates do so they get a drop underneath and a wipe on top.

Longbow

[williamwaco]

That is good results.

I have never used it but I use CLR for the same purpose and it works the same.

If you can't find EvapoRust, ask for CLR ( Calcium, Lime, Rust remover ) I get it at Lowes.

[Sonnypie]

From Amazon:

Product Description
Environmentally-safe water-based product that removes rust in minutes, without scrubbing. Non-toxic, non-corrosive, safe on skin. No fumes or bad odors, non-flammable, no VOCs. Biodegradable, water soluble, can be disposed of safely into sewer. Will not affect plastic, PVC, Viton and most paints. One gallon de-rusts up to 300 pounds of heavily rusted steel. Immerse the rusty object in the solution and leave it for 10 minutes for light rust or up to overnight for extremely heavy rust. Made in the USA.

Midway:
This high-quality blue and rust remover is non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, biodegradable and safe to use in the home. There are no offensive odors and the product is reusable. Cleans approximately 300 lbs of rusted material. 1 gallon liquid.

Looks like good stuff especially for the inside of steel/iron molds. I like the ease of disposal.
Anybody ever use it in a wipe-on type application? (As opposed to soak)
Might be good to have around on general purposes.

[leadbutt]

does this stuff work on die sets as well?

[Bambeno]

It will work on any rusted metal.

[John Boy]

Are you going to blue the mould to (hopefully) stop it rusting again?

James, if you do blue the mold ... do not blue the cavities.
Dan Theodore, a long term gun crank did a test removing the mold bluing - reblue and remove again. Bullets had less distinctive cutter marks from the cherry and they gravity dropped more consistently. I tried Dan's procedure on a Lyman mold and was pleased with the results

PS: Thanks for your pictures and results with Evapo-Rust. Have a jug and never tried it. Guess I better find something rusty!

[Leadlum]

That is some amazing stuff !!!!