Removing rust from any surface can be expensive and time-consuming. To remove rust from iron furniture, using an acid dip and sandblasting can make the process easier. You will also save lots of time and money by performing the work yourself. The instructions will apply to any rusted metal, not just iron. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Acid Dip Method
1. Familiarize yourself with muriatic acid safety. This chemical is very toxic and could harm you. Read the package warning and safety labels from the muriatic acid container.
2. Construct a homemade tank for the acid liquid and iron furniture. Build a wooden frame using 2 x 4s that is bigger than the furniture. The dipping must be accomplished outside for adequate ventilation. To make the acid dip easier, disassemble the furniture into smaller components. Dip only the part (or parts) of the iron furniture that is rusty.
3. Line the frame with heavy duty plastic. The plastic must be 4 to 6 millimeters thick; its color does not matter. Use a heavy duty staple gun to secure the plastic at the top of the frame. Do not puncture the plastic below the top of the frame or the acid will leak.
4. Wear your protective clothing, mask, and gloves to mix one gallon of acid to two gallons of water. You can make the mixture in the tank or you can premix the solution in a large container and repeat the process until the tank is almost full of the acid solution.
5. Submerge the rusty iron furniture or parts into the acid tank for four hours. Inspect the furniture after four hours to determine if the surfaces are free of rust. If there is still rust, dip the furniture for another 30 minutes and recheck. Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the rust removal.
6. Neutralize the acid by slowing pouring baking soda into the acid. The baking soda will foam. Continue this process until the acid stops foaming. This will make the furniture safe to work with.
7. Rinse the furniture with water and dry it with at least one fan at high speed. Once it is dry, restore the iron furniture as soon as possible. You do not want the iron furniture to rust again.
Sand Blast Method
8. Rent or buy a portable sandblaster. A 10-gallon sandblaster will be adequate on large furniture to smaller metal objects. You also need an air compressor for the sandblaster and the 'sand,' which is really an abrasive made of fine particles.
9. Wear protective clothing, hood and gloves. Sandblasting is very dangerous. If it can blast rust and paint away from metal, imagine what it can do to your skin.
10. Follow the instructions to assemble and operate the sandblaster. Get assistance from the tool rental office or user manual because every portable sandblaster is different. The sand or recommended abrasive materials will be sucked up from the sandblaster nozzle and the air compressor will propel the sand at high speeds.
11. Perform the sandblasting work outdoors. Sandblasting is messy and not worth the hassle of cleaning all the fine particles in your garage or workshop. Even if you put plastic or cloth around your work area to keep the room clean, the sand-like particles will get through.
12. Sandblast the rust, one area at a time. A portable sandblaster, for residential use, will blast a one- to two-inch area. Move the sandblast nozzle in a continuous motion just like spray-painting.The sandblast will take everything out, down to bare metal.
13. Remove any dust or particles from the bare metal with the air compressor. Prime the bare metal with paint to prepare the furniture.
Tags: iron furniture, bare metal, portable sandblaster, process until, baking soda, bare metal with
