Rust Removal and Clean-Up

Rust Removal and Clean-Up

In an ideal world, rust removal would be something we rarely have to deal with. Unfortunately, oxidation on metal products and structures enjoys making itself known. Maintaining your structures properly can help avoid this happening but there are times when even the utmost care cannot stop it. Thankfully, there are several solutions to clean up and preserve the metal. 

What Can I Do? 

There are several options to consider when trying to cleanse rust: 

  • Scrubbing: A wire scrub brush can do wonders when dealing with a light layer on your structure, however, this solution may not be as effective as desired when dealing with heavier layers. Takes a bit of effort, but you don’t need to worry about damaging the metal underneath. 
  • Sanding or Grinding: A high-grit sandpaper can do wonders when there is more build-up, but requires caution because sanding can damage the metal underneath if overdone. The same applies when using grinding and this option should primarily be applied to objects that are outdoors. Both of these require a fair amount of elbow grease and precautions to do properly but are viable options. 
  • Commercial Chemicals: The fastest and most safe way to cleanse not only metal structures but also masonry and concrete that could have stains. The chemicals, often coming in an acid or gel form, will eat away at the stains and won’t damage the metal underneath, keeping the original finish of the structure intact. Most chemicals are relatively fast-acting, can be safely applied to a broader variety of items and structures, and only will require a thorough rinsing afterward, making them the least labor-intensive of the options especially when dealing with heavier layers that a brush can’t handle. 

Looking for Rust Removal Chemicals? 

If using chemicals is your method of choice, there are plenty of resources to find the right one for you and your cleaning target. Tidal Washer’s provides several chemicals for rust removal on a variety of surfaces! Contact us here today to find out how we can assist you!