Advice wanted on rusty pits

[carts69]

Can anyone advise on the best method of removing rust from pits, when i use my usual method of pickel #3 for stripping old nickel it leaves the rust in the pits. What im looking for is a 100% clean base metal, can anyone confirm if sand blasting is the best method or is their a better method to clean these tiny little fellas?

[woody103]

Sandblasting would be your best option! They do have chemicals that dissolve rust that work but it may be hard to wash all the residue off. I always blast everything with sand, glass bead, or soda media and have perfect results.

[carts69]

Ok thanks for the advice, thought sandblasting would be the best way but thought i would check first,can you confirm which grade of silica sand would be best.
I have heard fine grade is the best, saying that its not easy to locate in the uk, can i use any other type of sand?? Thanks Martin.

[kxkraze]

If you have not tried Evapo-Rust then you are missing out. That stuff works absolutely wonderful.

[mikmj]

Originally Posted by carts69

Ok thanks for the advice, thought sandblasting would be the best way but thought i would check first,can you confirm which grade of silica sand would be best.
I have heard fine grade is the best, saying that its not easy to locate in the uk, can i use any other type of sand?? Thanks Martin.

Silica sand will kill you..............

[sross]

Originally Posted by carts69

Can anyone advise on the best method of removing rust from pits, when i use my usual method of pickel #3 for stripping old nickel it leaves the rust in the pits. What im looking for is a 100% clean base metal, can anyone confirm if sand blasting is the best method or is their a better method to clean these tiny little fellas?

No, I would not blast it. The main warning in plating guns is to NOT blast while the blueing (which is rust) or rust remains. Blasting can actually drive the rust into the base metal later causing rusting under the nickel.

The best thing to do is use the rust remover, clean in household ammonia, then blast the surface to clean the remover residue. Dipping in hydrochloric (activator) before plating also removes any invisible new rust film.

[pelletman]

I've had good results with www.safestrustremover.com or electrostripping with acid pickles.