Rust on Chiminea

GiJo

I have a very rusty cast iron chimenea that I need to clean up :eek: and I have no idea what to use.
Any tips/pointers greatly appreciated.

Pink.

Hi GiJo,

Welcome to mse.

I'm not sure that it's really what you are looking for, but these threads may help:

How to remove rust off patio

rust stains


Pink

GiJo

Hi Pink - thanks for the welcome, I'm "finding my feet" at the moment. I have had a quick look at the threads - the spray on rust remover looks favourite at the moment, thanks

Jay-Jay_4

Doesn't WD40 remove rust?

For some reason I'm sure it says on the can that it's a rust remover.... and when you spray it on rusty hinges the rust 'does' seem to run off.

GiJo

I've just checked out the WD40 website and it says "loosens rust-to metal bonds" . Not sure if that means it actually removes rust from metal surfaces

Wirenth

Try lying the rusty item overnight in a bath of cheap pepsi or coke (basically anything carbonated). The bubbles will 'eat' the rust off.

paul_h

Jenolite is a good rust treatment, available from motor factors - but it's a nasty chemical.

What about cleaning the rust off with a wire brush, then using stove blacking?

GiJo

Wirenth wrote:

Try lying the rusty item overnight in a bath of cheap pepsi or coke (basically anything carbonated). The bubbles will 'eat' the rust off.

It's a very heavy cast iron patio heater - I can't move it unless I take it all to bits, which I can't do 'cos it's all rusty

Perhaps I could put some pepsi in a spray bottle and spray it on?

GiJo

paul_h wrote:

Jenolite is a good rust treatment, available from motor factors - but it's a nasty chemical.

What about cleaning the rust off with a wire brush, then using stove blacking?

I was hoping for an easier option than the wire brush route, but realise that I may have to resort to this method if nothing else works.

Mr_Warren_2

If the item is real cast iron, note then it won't rust. The oxidation is only superficial so "a bit of elbow grease, some WD40 and some fine wirewool" will bring the fireplace back to a new youth (use gloves for your delicate fingers). Clean after with white spirit and use some "Berlin Black" paste to bring the unit to a lovely mat finish (by polishing with an old jumper) or matt by not doing anything.
If it is shine you are after, don't use "Berlin black" and polish with a buffer disc attached to an electric drill.

GiJo

Yep, it's real all right, and it weighs a ton (or should that now be tonne?). It's been stood outside for a couple of years (I burn wood and "personal" papers in it) so not sure about the "superficial" status.