How to Restore Rusted Deck Nails

Vinegar eats away at rust on nails.

Rusted nails can stain wood and compromise the integrity of a structure. They are also difficult and dangerous to work with. Before using deck nails in any projects, remove all traces of rust with plain white vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar eats away at rust, restoring nails to a usable condition.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Rag
• Old pot
• Scrub brush
• Baking soda
• Hair dryer
• Dremel tool or drill with wire brush attachment
• Clear coat or rust-proof paint

Instructions

Restoring Nails Removed from Decking

1. Place the nails in an old pot and cover them with white vinegar.

2. Heat the pot over high heat until it comes to a boil. The vinegar will dissolve the rust on the nails.

3. Rinse the nails with water. Remove any residual rust with a scrub brush.

4. Submerge the nails in a solution of 1 cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon of baking soda to neutralize the acid in the vinegar. Otherwise, the vinegar will continue to erode the nails.

5. Dry the nails thoroughly with a hair dryer to prevent future rust.

Restoring Nails In Decking

1. Apply white vinegar to the rusted portions of the nails. Allow the vinegar to sit for half an hour to soften up the rust.

2. Scrub off the softened rust with a wire brush attached to a rotary tool or drill. Rinse the nail heads with plain water and dry them with a rag.

3. Paint over the nail heads with clear coat or rust-proof paint to prevent future rusting.

Tips & Warnings

• Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors to curb offensive vinegar fumes.

References

• Chip.com: Rust Removal