Using Oxalic Acid
 

I have a few questions about using oxalic acid.

1. I am using a "Wood Bleach" strength (that's all I could find), and am guessing about the solution strength. I had some good initial results on a couple of pieces of hardware.
2. How long can I keep metal in the solution, and can I keep it in too long?
3. Where is the best source? I think the big drug store wanted to put me on a terrorist list.

i use the naval jelly from loctite in the small 8 oz size. i leave small bits in the bottle for five minutes, remove them, inspect, and will drop them back in, if, after scrubbing them under water, they still have rust. you can leave them in too long, especially if they have some coating on the metal.

i get mine at the small hardware store, 'cause home depot doesn't carry the small container size.

always use naval jelly with open ventilation. breathing only a little bit, will give you a headache. you can get it on your hands for very brief periods, like ten seconds. then wash them thoroughly.

i try to reuse as much as possible, avoiding discarding the acid as much as i can (and also avoiding polluting the water). i don't care if there is dirt or a little bit of water in the bottle.

this stuff is one of my best tools in rebuilding a bike.

Here's a direct link to the search: https://www.google.com/#q=oxalic+aci...bikeforums.net

Just look at what you are soaking. I used wood bleach strength and added water. I checked the frame from time to time until I was satisfied the rust was gone. It's relatively mild, so you don't have to worry about ruining your project.

About a half cup in a wallpaper tray with warm water, then soak for 6-12 hours on each side of the frame you submerge. You can use too much, the only issue being a white residue. Use lower strength for longer duration. Don't let dogs/cats near the stuff when soaking.

OK, got the message. I've seen so much conflicting information that I just put a couple of small parts in a bath. I'll check it tomorrow and see how it goes.

Years ago I used Navel Jelly on something (I forget what) and was underwhelmed at the results.

If you leave items in too long, the items get covered in a hard to remove yellow powdery film.

freind of mine left a frame in a little pool of it too long, said his frame was almost gone, completely ruined lol

I have used it on at least a hundred bicycles on the chrome, Works great, it is not going to take a completely rusted chrome wheel clean, but it is going to take off a lot of the rust and leave the remaining rust loose for you to use chrome polish and a fine steel wool to get a lot more of it off.

Most likely an aluminum frame.

i use this stuff, it's totally non toxic and doesn't have any other downsides compared to OA:

http://www.evapo-rust.com/wp-content...t_Bottles1.jpg

+1 on Evaporust. Too expensive to buy a big enough volume to dip a frame, but it's the best for smaller parts. It will take off any amount of rust and can be reused again and again--one container seems to last me about a year. The best thing about it is that you can soak things like brakes calipers and derailleurs that are a combination of aluminum and steel parts without damaging the aluminum.

There must be more to this story. My frame soaked for a day and a half and only took off the rust.

The only downside is cost , I can make 80 gallons of OA for about $3.50, and reuse it over and over.

I've been cleaning some small parts in OA lately and there is a residue on the bottom of the container. My question is - what is the residue, and how should I dispose of it?

One more OA question:

Can I make a paste of oxalic acid and dab it on fork ends, crown, etc., or should I use Naval Jelly for that sort of work? BTW, I've had great results on small parts, and now I am about to treat a frame. I'd like to avoid soaking the whole thing, that's why I am asking about the paste.

Ultra uses coca-cola.

Ultra fancies himself pretty important to speak in the third person. ;)

is there a link to making your own at that cost .

1) Barkeeper's Friend (available at most grocery stores in the cleaning section) is a very mild OA powder, and is great for making a paste. I use a sponge brush to wipe it on, leave for a couple minutes, and then sponge off. Repeat as necessary.

2) +1 on not leaving any containers of OA solution lying around unattended. Supposedly, dogs and cats are inclined to drink it, with bad results. Not worth the risk...

Experimenting with a soak in Barkeeper's Friend (Oxalic Acid) and a quick buff with a ScotchBrite pad.
I found the can of the cleanser on the shelf at WalMart.
I didn't experience the amazing results that some folks achieve, but it definitely makes a difference!

Before
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=390818

During
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=390819

After
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=390820

I used some "Bartender's Friend" Oxalic acid based paste on a rusty spindle once the rust went away, but it actually turned most of it a dark bluish black, very similar to *** bluing. I was careful not to use too much and dilute it with water and not to leave it on too long, but the spindle and actually, the cups turned blue/black on me. Looks like it's just cosmetic, but wondeirng if anyone had the same experience....
The