Molasses rust removal's dark secret

[@garybailey8877]

Hi, To make the process faster, 1. raise the container off the cold concrete floor, 2. scoop the froth of the top of the solution every couple of days and remove the parts and scrub with a nylon brush to shorten the time needed, 3. the solution can be reused numerous times making this process very cost effective, 4. use produce store feed molasses, 5. if the molasses can touch the metal it will remove the rust. I have been using this process for years with excellent cost effective results.

[@AndrewReuter]

👍 Thanks for the tips!

[@danmccormick7162]

Sulfated molasses is what you are supposed to use. I get mine from the feed mill. Has worked very well for me. No cast or pot metal parts. Chrome and Stainless steel will also disappear in Sulfated molasses.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know!

[@pdloder]

If you put a layer of oil (a few mm's thick) on top, that should seclude the mixture from the air and prevent mould from occurring.

[@JamesHill-lj2dy]

GREAT idea, and better than mine, which was posted in May 2024 (it's here somewhere).

[@Nopers_]

There’s something oddly satisfying about watching these restoration videos.

[@fairycheese1]

Try adding a bit of oil to the surface of the water to prevent the mould

[@ImprovisedExpletiveDevice]

The water molasses trick is great for painted parts because it will not hurt good paint or metal at all. It's natural too (less exposure to toxic chemicals is good) and cheap. If you lost paint, the surface beneath the paint had been compromised by rust. Also, if the molasses and water can't get to the rust, it will not work, that is why you still had rust. You can also leave it longer and it will eventually get everything. It's the best option if you trying to de-rust as gently as possible. I'm sure something could be added to the mix to keep the mold down but honestly, man it's not a big deal. :) I'd much rather deal with than handle yet another cancer causing chemical. I've used the molasses trick a bunch and have been amazed at what it can do compared to just about everything else. I put some heavily rusted bolts from a Florida beach truck under body (these things were really pitted, and you could see through some of them) for a month, and when i pulled them out it was like a worm had eaten all the rust off those things. I obviously replaced them but it was cool to see just how well the method works and to see these paths carved out by rust in the bolts.

[@ImprovisedExpletiveDevice]

Should have mentioned I have gotten plenty of usable parts out of this process too that look almost brand new afterwards. It's hard to overstate how good this stuff works.

[@waltlars3687]

If you have a compost pile for Your garden dump the molasses sludge on it It is speed for microbes munching they through the pile

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks for the tip!

[@bigpumpkin22]

Lots of sugar and nutrients, with a little Fe to boot, you can dilute it and water it directly onto your garden, even use it as a foliar spray

[@durlydurl]

New sub! I like your style. Good balance of sped-up style and commentary (with humor), and I appreciate your humility and fairness. Thanks!

[@AndrewReuter]

😊 Thank you for the kind words!

[@waltlars3687]

durlydurl just subbed My self

[@rodneyracer]

Use the livestock grade NOT food grade!

[@henrikarlo7826]

You probably dont give a shit but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all of the latest series on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend during the lockdown xD

[@jamesonsolomon4943]

@Henrik Arlo Yea, I've been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :)

[@robertboyd1156]

Sulfured molasses works better. You also said your garage was very cold, so that would slow down the reaction between the rust and the molasses.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks for the tip! Will look into that if I try molasses again.

[@racerx12003r]

Just a thought and someone may have made this comment earlier. How about skimming the mold off before you pulled your parts? Also, at the end of your video, you reference that there was still rust flake. I use a needle scaler to knock those clumps when removing rust at work. (I'm a truck mechanic and am currently rebuilding a road tractor). Thanks for the video. I was getting ready to try this on a fender I purchased recently.

[@TheDudeAbides-247]

I wonder if adding some vinegar to the mix would prevent the mold. Farmers soak stuff in molasses for a month or more, with better results.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good question! Can't hurt to try.

[@heartofdixie2]

I suspect that adding Alcohol up to about 10% by volume would stop any mold or bacterial activity.

[@rossbrumby1957]

Molasses will only remove paint that rust has already lifted. Don't put non ferrous metals in molasses unless you check each day as it will continue eating non ferrous after the corrosion is gone. Also a thorough degreasing first is necessary to let it work. Washing the clean steel with 50% lemon juice and water afterwards prevents flash rust. Every 4 or 5 days, give the parts a quick nylon brushing to remove the snot and turn the parts over- this speeds it up a bit.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know! Thanks for the tips!

[@AdamSmith-nk5wo]

You could use potassium metabisulfite for the mold And bacterial colonies. You can get the stuff at any brewing store

[@juanwilliams6731]

Makes sense to chip away rust flakes before immersion bit of mould and smell not a big issue considering how cheap it is to use molasses

[@Roll-UpRainer1510]

In Germany it's common to put rusty parts in a wash of citric acid and hot water. Did you every try this?

[@AndrewReuter]

Haven't tried that yet, but sounds worthwhile. Thanks!

[@peterciurea7771]

u can use some detergent in the mix, or drop some oil on the surface to prevent the mold

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@73SDR]

I am trying this now. I've read that warmth from the sun helps, which suggests to me that you doing this when it's cold out was probably hurting your results a lot.

[@AndrewReuter]

Makes sense. Hope it went well!

[@stevesether]

My feel is that the cold+dark encouraged mold growth. Mold is easily killed by sunlight. That's why you don't see mold growing anywhere but in dark places. I've had excellent results with evapo-rust. It's very safe and non-toxic. It doesn't eat up your skin, and you can re-use the stuff many times. It also doesn't take off any of the base metal, only the rust. It works by binding to the rust, and making it water soluble. It's a little expensive, but this is easily mitigated by being able to re-use the stuff. Just poor it back in the bottle, and use it again and again. (I've hear molasses is thought to work the same way. Cheleating is what this is called. Currently I'm trying to de-rust some lightly rusted very large parts with water+molasses. Evapo-rust would be cost prohibitive. We'll see how it goes, but my ratio is a lot lower than 9:1. Probably more like 40:1. We'll see....

[@BradGryphonn]

I have watched the odd video about using molasses to remove rust from carbon steel knife blades. I decided (before watching your video) to pour some neat blackstrap molasses on my Hultifors axe and GK heavy duty knife. I didn't immerse them the way I use vinegar because I was interested in how neat molasses poured onto the steel would work. I'll pop up a quick video later. But honestly, I've always had great success with vinegar and then making a coffee patina solution to help protect the steel. I might try the electrolysis method one day and see how that goes.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks for the notes! Would be glad to see the results with pure molasses when you get that posted!

[@BradGryphonn]

@@AndrewReuter Hey mate. I didn't end up shooting a video. The results were really poor. Neat Molasses doesn't 'stick' to the steel, so I think dilution and immersion is the go.

[@edbruder9975]

Molasses will turn to vinegar at a warmer temperature. I always thought that was what removed the rust. I think maybe it was too cold in your garage to work at that time of year. Plus go for blackstrap molasses most bottled molasses are sweet cooking molasses.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good theory! Will consider repeating in higher temperatures...

[@heartofdixie2]

Sugars must become alcohol before becoming vinegar. It is not a one-step process.

[@idlabi]

You can’t expect molasses to replace metal that has been rusted completely away… I can tell you from experience it works excellent with gas tanks…

[@maytagmark2171]

Your tote made it too airtight. The process needs air to work. That's why the mold. A looser lid is better so air can get in. Its a fermentation process. Molasses will take paint off if there is rust under the paint. Use scotch bright type pads instead of wire brushes. Cold weather does inhibit the process. I am sure the garage was not 75° F inside. Some Deep Deep pits may need a little extra effort.

[@scoobydan1585]

I don’t think u need to steep for weeks , I found I could do my bbq in 2 days in a bucket of water and molasses. Rust rubs off just like an oven treated with oven cleaner . Was surprised myself but it really worked

[@bridgethunke1389]

I’ve seen it recommended to use boiled water for the mixture, I’m wondering if that would have helped your mold growth issue.

[@AndrewReuter]

Couldn’t hurt. Will try that if I use molasses again!

[@pmd7914]

Works better if you agitate occasionally in the 2 - 3 week period instead of leaving it just sit. Skim the mould off, mix can be reused.

[@PaulG.x]

Vinegar and wine are fermented by yeasts ,not bacteria

[@MrObsvenchilde]

For these kinds of parts you could probably use some kind of media blasting

[@Nords1982]

You have to stir it up once or twice a day.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know! Thanks for the tip!

[@johnhoran2497]

True chem dog, stirring regularly through the 21 day process is recommended. Also covering the container and allowing a small amount of ventilation is advised.

[@therealchayd]

I'm wondering whether it's actually the molasses that's doing the rust removal and not the acid generated by the mold during the fermentation process (iirc, some molds create lactic acid and/or acetic acid). Edit: Nope, it appears that molasses contains chelating agents that bind to the FeO2 and make it water soluble.

[@marteenee88]

Like dissolves like

[@andezbox]

why did you not strain the mold off the top ?

[@JDskateAZ]

If money wasn't an option would you recommend veiniger or molasses

[@AndrewReuter]

If money wasn’t an option, I’d recommend something like Evaporust. It’s supposed to work great. Otherwise, vinegar for sure!

[@Smurphenstein]

I am wondering if you sealed air out of the molasses by using cling film if the mould would still form?

[@AndrewReuter]

Not sure, but it sounds like this mold is a tough adversary. I read that one guy tried mixing bleach in with it, and that didn't stop the growth, either.

[@fair2middlin]

@@AndrewReuter Bleach on metal is a bad idea

[@ChromaMatrix]

An interesting idea but not one I think I'll try because of the mold.

[@AndrewReuter]

Seconded!

[@Karlacook89]

I love your garage. Great video L 41👏👏

[@AndrewReuter]

😊 Thank you!

[@NoferTrunions]

What was the product you painted on to keep from rusting and good base for paint?

[@AndrewReuter]

Prep and Etch from Home Depot. It’s essentially just phosphoric acid, in case there’s no HD stores nearby... 👍

[@charlescoker7752]

Add some Hydrogen peroxide, or some vinegar to stop the mold growth .

[@AndrewReuter]

Will give it a try next time! 👍

[@troyallen8223]

Don't have to cover it. Things happen slower in colder temps

[@cogentdynamics]

Wissota…. I’m a grandpa and have had one of those since new. Birthday present from my dear dad.

[@crab_aesthetics]

If you added some vodka it would probably prevent mold.

[@larizza0472]

Citric Acid works too

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know!

[@jasonboudreaux5003]

You probably got mole because you put it in a sealed container The reason it didn’t work that fast It is too cold to ferment properly

[@19midnightsun87]

You could also try removing the rust through electrolyis, if this comes up again. It isn't super complicated and youtube is full of how to's. :)

[@StopTheRust]

Electrolysis will etch metal, I'm sure it's good but no silver bullet.

[@tractorhead971]

Has anyone tried electrolysis through molasses (instead of sodium carbonate)? Could be super effective...

[@simonallinson6353]

I use 50-50, for 2 weeks, no mould

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know!

[@davidhatzenbuhler6888]

Skim the mold off with a chunk of screen before you start digging in the vat.

[@kkrc999]

3 to 5 parts water to 1 part mollasses

[@RedArrow73]

distilled wooder?

[@AndrewReuter]

Maybe that would help get them super clean!

[@makattak3550]

Just some humour, don't get too cut mate. An Antique tool restorer friend of mine, gave me his secret formula for molasses. It's 16 parts water, 1 part molasses. By just assuming more molasses is better! You are not allowing the proper ratio of oxygen in the mix (water) to work.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good to know!

[@MikeMiller-fc2cc]

Why didn't you skim off the mold first

[@FigmentsMade]

Thanks for doing this experiment! Better you than me... ;)

[@AndrewReuter]

Any time!* *As long as that time is never! Wow, was that gross.

[@maximianoavila6922]

Use livestock, you suppose to stir it, works better on summer time, that is not mold, and yes you need to protect it right away , metal prep, I use it all the time no scrubbing or nothing just pressure wash it clean as a whistle, and yes you can touch it perfectly safe but you will smell like it for day or so, so learn how to use it and you’ll love it

[@jtecB]

Tie a bit of wire through any hole in the part, that way you dont need to touch it. I use a pressure washer on low and wash it all off thoroughly. Only then will I touch it. I use POR15 preprimer (i think) which puts a zink coating over it. I watched some guy from Australia do it on KZbin before I tried it. I also tried it on a very old brake disk I had in my garden I was using as a weight first. It made it look like new. Completely restored my boys pedal car then using it. I really recommend watching the aussie guy on KZbin and follow his steps.

[@AndrewReuter]

Good tips! Thanks!

[@suevickery9945]

Do you have a link to the Aussie guy's clip?

[@robertbeisang4076]

@@suevickery9945 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bl7Kc3SgesyUZ9U

[@samsmith3025]

Evapo-rust, its incredible.

[@dalmatiangirl61]

Molasses is too slow, vinegar is too harsh and tends to pit the metal, evapo is the way to go.

[@stephendoing2253]

Phosphoric acid is the best rust removal!

[@TysonCraft]

I am your 7000th subscriber

[@AndrewReuter]

Very cool! 😊 Thank you for the sub!

[@idlabi]

The mould was the result of you sealing the container....... something severely rusted like your grinder should’ve been left in a lot longer… Nobody told you that this was going to be an instant fix. Molasses is eco-friendly… You can pour it on your yard after you finish using it… Hydrochloric acid and vinegar not such a good idea for your lawn.

[@makattak3550]

So you put a particle mask on for smells.......also, gloves? Mate, it's a natural product, Nancy up boy...

[@AndrewReuter]

Look what rusty muck did to my gloves in this video and ask yourself whether you'd be sticking your hands in there. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rImcmqKJeaqGsKM

[@makattak3550]

@@AndrewReuter of course I do.....when you pull the part out, ,,, straight into water, scrub it, no danger to your hands.

[@evzevz06]

Yeah but he doesn't know what that fungus is, theres enough of it there to produce Billions of spores, every breath we take we inhale 8 fungal spores, but some can be seriously detrimental to health. Better safe tha*cough cough cough*, than sorry

[@lilbigred3344]

Your vids gets a lot of views but people don't sub. Huh

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I just did.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks! Great channel!

[@FynbosGarden]

Ninny worrying about mould

[@gezaatlo6739]

A little clorox in the water should stop the mold.

[@specialized29er86]

Tip it out in the yard, fark me that's gross why not down the toilet. Thois method weve been using since 76 and love the budget priced method oh and don't leave the lid on the box.

[@AndrewReuter]

I saw some people mention that it was good for the grass. Figured it was safer than risking having something go wrong when dumping it down a drain and having to explain it to my wife...