How to Remove Rust From Nails & Screws
The easiest way to remove rust from small metal objects (like nails and screws) is to use a chemical process known as electrolysis. Electrolysis works by providing an electrical current in water, which attracts the rust away from the metal object. Electrolysis is fairly cheap to perform, requires little technical knowledge, and can clean an infinite number of rusty nails and screws. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Put on your rubber gloves and wash the nails and screws thoroughly. This will help remove particles other than rust that could potentially interfere with the electrolysis process. Be very careful handling the rusty materials, especially the nails, as skin penetration could result in a tetanus infection if you have not had a tetanus vaccine in the past seven years.
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Get out your plastic container and pour in an appropriate amount of water. There should be enough to cover the screws and nails as well as submerge the bottom of the anode. For every gallon of water, add 1 tbsp. of baking soda.
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Place your anode on one side of the plastic container where the rusty material will be able to "see" it. You can use virtually any flat item made of iron for your anode, as long as it fits nicely in your container.
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Attach the positive red wire from your DC power source to the iron anode and then connect the black negative wire to the nail or screw being cleaned. Place the screw in the water (while still connected to the black negative wire). There should be at least 2 inches between the anode and the material being cleaned.
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Turn on the DC power source. A low power setting should get rid of the rust on small items like nails and screws very effectively, and you should only need to wait a few minutes for the rust to be completely removed.
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Turn off the power and unplug the cables. Gently lift the nail or screw that you cleaned out of the water and unclamp it. You should see some black material on the top. Run the screw or nail under warm water to remove this black material. Your nail or screw should be clean and rust-free.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not put your hands in the water while the current is active. Though the voltage should be low enough not to cause permanent damage, you will still receive a nasty shock if you attempt to put your hands in the water while the current is active.
Do not use stainless steel for an anode. Many people make this mistake, as stainless steel does not rust itself and will technically work as an anode. However, stainless steel will produce a toxic gas as a byproduct of electrolysis, so it is very important to remember not to use it.
