I found this on the web and thought I'd pass it along. Might be a cheaper alternative to oxalic acid and other industrial rust removers. I'm going to try it out and post my findings in this thread.

Check it out... https://www.wr6wr.com/newSite/article...06/wp0906.html

Dante

"that's fantastic"! And thanks for the article: since we in C&V are always battling rust, it's always welcome to expand the arsenal. Molasses has got to be the most eco-friendly option yet, I'm going to try it out soon.

Most intriguing.

Now to see if I have anything like that in the house. I think the closest I come is treacle .

East Hill

most cooks will say treacle and dark molasses: same thing.
YRMV

Hmm, I have a couple of cans of Lyle's Treacle Syrup left over from my homebrewing days. Wonder if rust on a British bike would prefer it?

Neal

well I wonder how Cro-Mo would be affected as well. Might have to find a section from an old frame before going crazy on something I intend to keep.

anyone got a kid going to the science fair this year??

would I use Lyles Golden Syrup for light rust?

sounds interesting, I would think of it as more of a Framesaver replacement.

marty

I'd be leary on a brazed frame.

Only those who are not British!

Lyle's Golden Syrup is not molasses... .

East Hill

It isn't? gee after all these years . . .

(most seppo's have no clue what Lyles Golden Syrup is, poor buggers)


marty

I learned the hard way from my British relations (relatives) about the sanctity of certain foods...don't you even dare to suggest that No. American Heinz baked beans are roughly the same as those in the UK can (with the light blue label)
and BTW the Golden Syrups (Lyles and/or other brands) contain invert sugar and cane sugar syrup as well as light molasses...might work for a rust remover solution , but definitely will make for a sour, skunky flavored home brew (with a high alcohol level). beentheredonethat.

Have a tin of it sitting in the kitchen right now .

Mushy peas, anyone?

East Hill

Update!

The experiment is underway. I mixed up a batch of "Grandma's Molasses" in the correct ratio of 9 to 1 with hot tap water.
I dropped into the mix a Suntour front derailleur, rear derailleur, a pair of steel pedals, and two cable stops. I'll let them soak for two days and report back with my findings.

Dante

P.S. Here are some before pictures of the derailleurs and the front brake cable stop...

can't wait to see the result!

It may or may not remove the rust, but it will definitely improve the flavor!

Molasses cheaper than oxalic acid? I'm not too sure. Probably is safer....

Has anyone considered making a paste with oxalic acid dust and molasses and "painting" it on rust spots on a frame that needs a little tlc? I have a frame with some nasty chain slap, but don't want to dismantle the whole thing for an oxalic bath. Worst case, a chemical combo would make a weapon of mass destruction (not likely, but think ammonia and bleach). Best case, I'd be able to remove rust only in a small selected area. Any thoughts?

To contemplate any of the above just bogggggles my mind!

(ROTFLMAO)

Regourds,
J T

I tried making a thick paste of mostly Bar Keeper's Friend and a sprinkling of oxalic acid. I left it on for a half an hour. The chrome came out splotchy and mottled.

Later, I made my usual weak solution of oxalic acid and water, soaked a strip of rag, wrapped it tightly around the rusted chrome dropout and sealed it with plastic wrap so it wouldn't evaporate. I repeated this a few times and it came out great.

Yea, a small jar runs around $2-$3 here in SoCal! (My wife needs it to make her spice cake.) So FWIW, a tablespoon of oxalic acid in a gallon of water might end up being cheaper.

I always thought molasses was the by-product of sugar?

You are correct.

Molasses or treacle is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar. The sugar cane plant is harvested and stripped of its leaves. Its juice is extracted from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing. The juice is boiled to concentrate and promote the crystallization of the sugar.

The results of this first boiling and removal of sugar crystal is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content because comparatively little sugar has been extracted from the juice.

Second molasses is created from a second boiling and sugar extraction, and has a slight bitter tinge to its taste.

Gotta love Wikipedia!

I remember having sorghum molasses as a kid.

Just to clear things up, North American molasses = British treacle. Sounds like a plan if you can't find oxalic acid. I had no luck finding any hardware store or building supply that knew wood bleach or oxalic acid, but finally located some on line at a taxidermy supply site. One word of caution: Be sure to degrease the parts thoroughly before trying rust removal solutions. Rust removers are not degreasers, so if the parts are oil soaked, you'll still have black spots of rust that remain. I found this using oxalic acid on a rusty steel crankset.

So,,,

Has anybody here actually tried molasses and can report the results? I am looking forward to Machin Shin's experience.

UPDATE:

The parts have been soaking for 36 hours so far. I'll check them tonight and write up a report this evening or tomorrow (with pictures of course).

Keep your fingers crossed.

Dante