How to Get Rid of Rust

Rusted metal

Rust occurs on metal surfaces when it is exposed to oxygen and a bit of water. The oxygen starts to corrode the metal by damaging the molecules that compose it over a period of time. Rust can ruin a metal surface if it is not taken care of immediately. Not only will any paint on it flake away, if rust is allowed to accumulate for too long, it can cause irreparable damage. Once you see that rust is starting to form, follow these steps to get rid of it and protect your metal surfaces from further rusting.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Wire brush
• Phosphoric acid
• Rust-fighting primer
• Paint
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Remove rust spots on the affected area. This should be done as soon as possible after you have spotted the formation of rust. Use sandpaper and a metal wire brush to scrape off as much rust as possible.

2. Apply phosphoric acid to the worst rust spots or any areas that cannot be scraped off. This will convert the rust into a water-soluble phosphate.

3. Wipe away the rust that has combined with the phosphoric acid. It should come off quickly and easily.

4. Coat the metal surface, which should now be free of rust, with an anti-rust primer. This will protect the surface from rusting in the future.

5. Paint over the spots that are now rust-free. Since you have used the primer already, you can paint using whatever paint you want.

Tips & Warnings

• The faster you react to rust that has formed, the easier it will be to get rid of it.

• Be very careful when using phosphoric acid. It is a toxic chemical.