Secret to removing rust and paint on the cheap | Hagerty DIY

Finally getting around to restoring or rebuilding that old classic car? There’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with some rusted-over parts or unwanted paint. Replacing parts can get costly, so watch to see how you can save some cash by cleaning off built-on gunk-even if you just have an old crockpot instead of our ultrasonic cleaner. Hagerty’s Davin Reckow shows how easy it can be, thanks to a secret ingredient recommended by a dairy farmer.
Subscribe to our KZbin channel for new videos every day! bit.ly/HagertyKZbin
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.com/media
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Hagerty's Daily Driver | Industry news, buzz, and interviews bit.ly/HagertyDailyDriver
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyChipFoose
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - [e-mail]
Press inquiries - [e-mail]
Partnership requests - [e-mail]

[@4speed3pedals]

I have discovered vinegar. You may have to wait a day or longer. The results are impressive - understatement. Way cheaper than anything containing hydrochloric or sulfuric acids, no heated bath, environmentally friendly. Molasses works as well but, the time is closer to 2 weeks. Both molasses and vinegar can be disposed of with no precautions. BTW, a gallon of vinegar from Walmart is only about 2 bucks. Of course you could splurge for more expensive Heinz product that supports John Kerry but, why would you!

[@LFM80]

A few points to clarify the video. #1 The product is "Milk Stone REMOVER". Referring to is as milk stone is akin to calling nail polish remover "nail polish". Just to clarify. #2 At 00:59 the fella indicated that there is muriatic acid in the product. Per the MSDS, there is no muriatic acid in this Stearns product, not that it makes much difference. #3 The video fails to emphasize the major benefit of using a phosphoric acid product on rusty steel. The reason phosphoric acid is the best, is it "phosphates" steel It converts Iron Oxide (rust) into Ferric Phosphate (a black colored inert/non rusting compound). This is the black color you see on the surface. Very similar chemically to gun bluing. #4 removing the black ferric phosphate coating that is left is counterproductive if further corrosion protection is desired. If you blast or remove the converted iron phosphate, lightly brush on an additional coat of milkstone remover to again phosphate the part. That or paint it, or both.....

[@termonostruman]

JUST HEAT IT, REMOVE WITH A COOPER BRUSh AND THEN REPAINT WITH A BASED IRON OXIDE PAINHT master machinist

[@chiefstopher98]

Nothing beats a blast cabinet...

[@jimwiskus8862]

If you have one or access to one. 😊

[@phillipweisgerber7925]

Can I borrow it?

[@greeceuranusputin]

I looked it up, it's 56% phosphoric acid, the same stuff used in most rust removal solutions, concrete etcher, paint prep chems, naval jelly, etc.

[@joedecesere7033]

I use Evaporust, non-toxic and it can be used again and again. When it is used up, I put it on my lawn. It has iron in it turn grass greener.😎

[@grcartalk6278]

Joe DeCesere that actually works, little bits of grease or grime that may get in it don’t kill the grass?

[@joedecesere7033]

GRCar No,it does not kill grass Evaporust neutralizes the oil/ grease,ph balanced too.

[@jamcdona]

It's really not supposed to be used with oil and grease; just rust. Evaporust is great, but you need to clean the parts first.

[@bguen1234]

Evaporust looks a lot safer and just as effective.

[@jamcdona]

Also, remember that it will remove zinc coatings- something to consider LOL

[@cornstar1253]

Muriatic is just weak Hydrochloric Acid. Maybe give a rinse with baking soda dissolved in water at the end

[@darkmoonmining3063]

That beautiful black falcon rear tail light from multiple facilities is still on my mind.

[@n8strength]

Great tip! I had no idea about using milk stone. Thanks

[@williamwallace5201]

works pretty good. thanks for the tip

[@ElliottHinds]

I'm pretty sure that black film is magnetite, or black (iron) oxide, Fe3O4. It's a more stable form of iron oxide (rust) than the red iron oxide we normal see (Fe2O3). Adhesion was probably poor, at least in part, due to rough rusty surface of the part before going into the bath.

[@guillermonieri4203]

Excellent option! Thank you

[@paulomootores]

muito bom , um fã brasileiro

[@MetaView7]

That liquid is not Milkstone, it is the milkstone remover.

[@fatkorn]

Muriatic acid is hydrochloric if you cant find it, usually located near the readymix for etching. Gloves sure but eye protection way more important.

[@slhines7]

My new favorite chemical and/or tool to tackle rust.

[@crosswits1]

Another product you use to remove rust is a redistrip paint remover product. It contains phosphoric acid and it not only remove rust and paint it leaves a coating that prevent the parent metal from rusting again

[@joedecesere7033]

John MacDonald, I always clean the oil/grease off parts before I use Evaporust, however, old parts that have oil/grease in crevices still can be put in Evaporust for derusting and the small amounts of oil /grease are neutralized by Evaporust. It is PH balanced.

[@TheREALOC1972]

Milk stone works to remove chrome too when I was getting ready to paint my 73 Buick Regal I decided to paint them instead of rechroming them and my local chrome shop told me to use, worked really well.

[@hbknhry]

Nice tip, Thanks.

[@rodadve]

Excellent. Thanks

[@dacrd]

Citric Acid Powder is what I use available at most grocery stores and can be used over and over give it a try.

[@dielauwen]

Well you can use phosphoric acid also used in the dairy , Oven cleaner works well, washing soda and dc current , and sandblasting after degreasing. Cola works well, Vinegar works well and Pine oil is a great carb cleaner and degreaser. And don't forget a wire brush.

[@johnhamelin6884]

Ty.i will try

[@user-re8nz5sg2v]

Cool, thanks !

[@sartainja]

Superb presentation.

[@dannywilsher4165]

Muratic acid is what I have used forever. Faster than what you used and cheaper. Get it at big box stores, it's used for swimming pools.

[@user-qp3pc3xt1g]

Awesome thanks

[@Audiophile83]

I’ve done some research on engine block cleaning and found some people use farm grade feed molasses if I’m saying it correctly. It doesn’t remove rust for what I’ve read but I’m dying to try it. The milk stone is definitely something I am wanting to try. I love your time lapse flathead ford rebuild video btw. I enjoy all the Hagerty videos!!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@earlbrown]

You got it backwards. It will 100% strip ALL the rust. After about two weeks a VERY rusty block or crankshaft will come out looking like a brand new casting. The parts just have to be oil/grease free. If they have oil, the water can't get to the base metal to de-rust it. I have 2 55gallon drums with molasses in them that have a steady rotation of 'ruined' parts going through them.

[@Daijyobanai]

larger parts can be put in a molasses and water mix, 1 part to 10 parts water. It takes time but is ultra cheap and is ideal for when you don't need it in a hurry. It also smells foul, which is nice if you don't like your neighbors! Otherwise, strong vinegar is good for getting it done fast, costs more though.

[@klwthe3rd]

Great tip. Seems like all the rust dissolving solutions currently on the market cost over 20 dollars or more. So if this is about 13 dollars it might be worth switching!

[@BillB23]

Gunsmiths will boil rusted parts to convert the ferrous oxide (rust) to ferric oxide (black oxide of iron). That black film is probably ferric oxide, which won't rust. Hit it with a wire brush and/or some scotchbrite and you're good to go.

[@mheetu3909]

What about when dealing with large parts that can't fit in a reasonable size container or can't be easily removed from the vehicle (or w/e it's from)?

[@laurensiemens1436]

I have a question...what do you do with the acid after its lost its usefulness. I have used oven cleaner but that was outside

[@dungmay5266]

Nice!

[@seant8470]

I believe the muriatic acid will eat aluminum, so watch out for any aluminum parts.

[@ahoorakia]

aluminum don't rust, they rot

[@waynemuehlenbein2281]

‘Course, that part had paint to remove as well as rust. But, depending on how fast you need the result, I’ve used white vinegar on small tools and household items with great (and ultra-cheap) success. Soak in a plastic tray, or some such, for 72 or more hours, and the item is ready to wipe off, dry and the either paint or oil to prevent flash rust.

[@ghalibabubaker88abubaker87]

That really removed all the rust also incase u don't hav all those equipment u can use vinegar aswel although it has to stay overnight but it does the job... otherwise always Appreciate ur tips n good work sir😊

[@jjjsmith2497]

ghalibabubaker88 Abubaker Lol just tried vinegar on remote battery compartment after taking apart... amazing:)

[@sikamoreify]

Citric acid is an all natural, non-toxic, even food safe solution to do this that works just as good and slightly more environmentally friendly. As someone mentioned below with Evaporust, it will eat through Zinc, which is actually another great use for it to take that zinc coated hardware and give it a more natural finish. Dry and hit all the finished parts, hardware, etc. immediately with an anti-corrosive or things will start to rust in no time.

[@oliverroedel1111]

citric isn´t strong enough, doesn´t work well. phosphoric is way better

[@ozzstars_cars]

Vinegar and water. Safer and cheaper.

[@WhoThisGuy515]

vinegar does a really good job with carbon build up to, plug intakes/cylinder heads and fill the ports with vinegar and leave over night.

[@notyper79]

What is the black stuff that is left after the vinegar treatment? I did some rusty air chisel bits and it worked really well but the black stuff was difficult to remove from my hands, I wasn't concerned with the bits, but for auto parts that would be painted, I wonder how much cleaning it would take to get them paint ready.

[@elementkx]

Yup, I put all my rusty bolts in there and they come out like new.

[@morgan2373]

I think the black is carbon.

[@Pgcmoore]

seems to work, wonder if it would accelerate removal in an electrolytic bath for the really badly rusted up stuff?

[@mws3779]

God my allergies are killing me. But as far as painting after you've remove the rust I would use POR-15 which is available from Eastwood automotive supply or at some major Auto Parts retailers. While I have used their paint that you apply directly onto rust it works great it almost acts as a powder coat. I just wish I could soak my rear quarter panel in milkstone, unfortunately that's not a very viable option.

[@tau566]

will this work on weight plates?

[@ddemenna]

How will this process work on sheet metal?

[@PaulHenreid]

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner removes rust (submerged) after one hour. Amazon sells two bottles for under $6.

[@Sub251202ast]

Hello, thanks for your videos, it give some motivation.. Tell me please what you douing with piston rods during renovation for engine ( I saw some special machine for rod)

[@my4cars528]

EvapoRust; Safe to handle, reusable, and doesn't require a machine only some time.

[@AustrianAnarchy]

How about phosphoric acid (Edit: See Keith Schrack reply. The stuff Davin is using is phosphoric acid.), that is readily available in 85% concentration (can dilute to 30% and works fine) and is pretty cheap too? None of the HCL issues, the stuff is a food additive anyway. Bonus! It is the stuff that auto manufacturers dip car bodies in to provide the phosphoric barrier that prevents rust from bubbling up around paint/primer scratches and chips.

[@kelnick2264]

AustrianAnarchy can you tell me what food does it go into?

[@matthewshambler2644]

I’ve had good results with Phosphoric Acid, but I’ll definitely give this a try.. The more weapons in your arsenal against rust, the better!

[@keithschrack]

Video is wrong...this mixture IS phosphoric acid, not muriatic. I checked the MSDS.

[@AustrianAnarchy]

Then you don't need to scrape off the black stuff. It is a paintable/primeable surface when dry.

[@Jinppa]

Kelnick 22 Coca Cola for example. That's why people use coke to remove rust and make chrome shiny again.

[@MrEyad1990]

Nice

[@snngencal]

how many towels do you use for a month?

[@Robiam85]

I'm sure it has been mentioned, however, muriatic acid will make the metal extremely brittle. Best option should be paint stripper and then naval jelly. Good presentation though.

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

Its Phos acid, not Muratic. He's wrong.

[@phiksit]

You can't even get decent paint stripper in the retail market anymore. None of the eco-friendly stuff works.

[@jrperki1]

OK the ingredients include about 50% of a 75% solution of phosphoric acid (so about 38%). You can buy Kleenstrip Concrete and Metal Prep for $16 / gallon at Home Depot. It is about 35% - 40% phosphoric acid. I mix it 2:1 with water to get about a 10% solution. It works well overnight and won't harm the metal if you soak it for days. I keep a 5 gallon bucket of mix with a screw-on gamma lid. Only fill it to 3 gallons and leave the lid loose when you dip the parts because it can foam up and overflow with nasty black liquid. The hardest part is cleaning off the black iron oxide (converted rust). It is messy like brake dust.

[@russellbailey4452]

Have used it diluted for the past 5 years to strip and clean motorcycle parts in the restoration process. I use in a large tote, be careful with pot metal it will disintegrate in no time at all.

[@tthams73]

That black is an oxide coating. It will protect it from rusting until you’re ready to paint

[@Shane-Singleton]

Anybody ever use Deox-C? Curious to hear any success or failure stories. There is a channel I watch often, RRC Restorations (Formally Really Random Channel), and he uses it quite often. It seems to remove rust really well without leaving the black residue.

[@phrogman4654]

White vinegar works great for me but takes longer. It's a lot cheaper too.

[@skippes_view]

I know this video is 5 years old but what does millstone remover do to aluminum? I need to strip some powder coating off some aluminum parts .

[@VanillaGorilla502]

What model is that ultrasonic cleaner? Looks better than most of the readily available ones for reloading.

[@jimwiskus8862]

Harbor Freight actually has some decent ones, though I’m not sure how big they are.

[@cheeswade7992]

i just did all the pump and pully bits on a couple of marine 327s ,just used a huge toat of vinager and them a spray washer ,,,,woosh done

[@TITANVIZARD]

cool

[@markk3652]

Gasoline soak to clean the oil and grease away, then, cup brush on a right angle grinder, or a rope brush wheel on same type of grinder is way faster.

[@barrybloggs9474]

Molasses diluted 9 to 1 works well and is very cheap. Slow but effective. Add electrolosis and watch it go..

[@torchandhammer]

I've watched people do whole car bodies in molasses. They come out looking shiny new.

[@hansvonstetten3236]

wow that works better than what I´ve been using...white vinegar which takes forever.

[@jeffmoore3154]

seems to work pretty good that acid will will attack anything and break it lose

[@user-zn8qw8nb9t]

nice channel=))

[@raymondsteele4142]

How about using Citric Acid .

[@starsinmyeyes]

Not for aluminum. Muriatic acid will eat it up. The rxn is exothermic and makes some nasty fumes.

[@accobra62]

Naval jelly.

[@martinberzerker7032]

Hi. I have never heard about a product called milkstone. is there any equivalent chemical products i can find from my local stores ? btw i live in northern europe if that matters..

[@victorbitter583]

It's not called milkstone. It's Dairyland brand, Sterosol. milkstone remover and acid wash.

[@dennisp.2147]

Depending on manufacturer, it's either phosphoric acid or dilute sulfuric acid and some surfactants. Milkstone isn't the brand, It's what it removes. Milkstone, which is a calcareous formation that forms on dairy equipment. So basically, this is a mild acid used to dissolve calcium deposits. .

[@26061504]

Good job. In russia we take electroliz and clean detail

[@georgehonk5558]

A Cha vodka?

[@rustyjeep2469]

In Russia, rust removes you!

[@26061504]

RustyJeep ahahahaha good joke

[@tangledline]

The ultrasonic cleaner sounds expensive...but it isnt. Thanks

[@georgegouvas27]

u can just use warm muriatic acid, lot quicker.

[@md65000]

The label says Phosphoric acid. That's not muriatic acid.

[@arthurporrata8882]

What about soda blasting, would that work better ?

[@affinityfunable]

Will it hurt my leather if i soak and heat my entire car in milkstone to remove any rust? The car would fit in our pool. Lol. JK. Neat video guy.

[@airplanekid333]

The black power is just the oxidation from the chemical reactions of the acid and the rust.

[@LFM80]

No, it is not oxidation. PHosphoric acid converts Iron oxide (rust) to Ferric Phosphate, which is black in color and inert (will no longer rust which is the major benefit of phosphoric acid over any other method). As far as chemical reactions are concerned, it is the furthest thing from oxidation.

[@SpatialDragon]

Safety glasses.

[@oliverroedel1111]

muriatic acid never in the shop, it let rust everything. and you have to neutralize it. there are better acids out there.

[@ddcraun]

Two words..... safety glasses.....

[@kamenkamenov5011]

+ mask

[@rulez6726]

можно электролизом

[@Homjachello]

Все хорошо, но откуда у меня ультра звуковая ванна))))

[@stephenliviniuk7039]

Water and molasses

[@nickblacksoul4318]

Now that's interesting proposal ..... Hm but what's is milkstone ? If ask for millstone they will think I am trusty

[@ukdnbmarsh]

Here in England we use Vinegar or Brown Sauce to bring metal back to its former glory, just submerge it overnight.

[@Michael_Scott_Howard]

Molasses

[@stevecobratei8538]

Of course rubber is not effected. Acid only works on metals/minerals. Not plastics or rubber

[@mikevanderhoek171]

toilet bowl cleaner mixed with simple green cleaner.....on metal....do not use on aluminum!!

[@Kowyn]

I work at a winery and at the end of the red wine making process we settle out the wine before filtration, What settles out of the wine is a dark purple sludge that is dead yeast amongst other things. I have a few pairs of vice grip's I use on the job that are very rusty just due to the environment they are used in, one day I was emptying some sludge and lost a pair in the bottom of the container I was cleaning and decided to recover them later, well a day passed and I got them back SPOTLESS! not a speck of rust anywhere in them however shortly after coming into contact with the air they started to oxidize, I did some experiments with the sludge and different metals and rusty things including a hinge I had dug up at home when gardening and some zinc coated stuff. everything came out clear of rust after a day in the sludge and anything with a galvanizing came out without any coating left on it.

[@ashqelon7267]

Lot easier to just sell the car.

[@Daijyobanai]

haha. that's so true, but for some reason no-one does that :)

[@boblewis5558]

Why muriatic acid rather than what it actually is ... Universally ... Hydrochloric acid!? These mediaeval alchemist terms drive me nuts. I now know but it drove me crazy trying to find out just exactly what it was a few years ago. Also, please remember, especially if you are American, trade names are meaningless in other countries and when US postage can cost TRIPLE the cost of the item, PLUS import duties are charged on cost price PLUS postage, it makes it impossible to obtain such items without a third mortgage! It is small wonder the Chinese have the US well beaten for simple supply chain logistics! Hydrochloric acid of course removes rust easily and quickly but many modern paints are impervious to it. So it is just simpler to use diluted 37% concentrated Hydrochloric acid. Better yet, for probably THE BEST rust remover, especially for INSIDE of seized steel parts ... That costs bugger all for 5 kg lasts for ages and can be reused multiple times, especially if the crud is filtered out after each use ... CITRIC ACID! It is a foodstuff product so is completely non toxic!

[@wymple09]

Leave it in there overnight.

[@deathbyproxy2]

How is this cheap?

[@old_guard2431]

Much appreciated. Another of what the old chief (petty officer) called "old indian tricks".

[@Aviator111167]

still left rust paint and corrosion. are you kidding?

[@RoomerJ]

On the cheap lol

[@garya3056]

Thx for a good video and gave you a thumbs up. I would like to mention a couple of things however- it’s not cool to rinse off acid into the sink and ultimately our water supply. Please find another way to rinse off. Secondly, not sure why your editor allowed the mispronunciation of “muriatic” acid and “percolator” by an English speaker?

[@LiloUkulele]

Handling muriatic acid without safety glasses? yikes!!!!

[@mehgabyte4903]

Majority of people do not own that machine which I obviously don’t have so how about a changing the title with including the machine you have.

[@jimwiskus8862]

I’m thinking you are talking about his ultrasonic cleaner? If you have a harbor freight close to you, you can get them there. They’re actually fairly reasonable. I would get the best one they have though. One that heats up for sure.

[@aaronhayden1780]

On the cheap my ass you have to buy a $300 dollar parts washer first

[@Hagerty]

We just used the parts washer to heat up the milkstone. You can use a cheap crockpot from a thrift store.

[@iare19]

We used coca-cola.

[@bry117]

Hate cheapos. Haha that will show them