Using Vinegar to EASILY remove rust from any tool

This vinegar hack is insane! We used vinegar to remove rust from tools that were absolutely caked with rust. I have watched several vinegar hack videos were people were using vinegar to remove rust from old vintage tools and the results that I saw were unreal and I knew I had to put it to the test. We soaked these pliers in great Value distilled white vinegar for exactly 24 hours and the rust on these pliers completely wiped away making the pliers usable again. Check out the video to see this process!

[@patharris4530]

77 yo here, learned something new today !

[@yaboidustin2447]

The more you know the better :)

[@sallycoleman7847]

if you get the 45% white vinegar it will claen & kill weeds in the drive way ( extremely stong !!!!) ! must use a mask and gloves with 45% sorry " CLEAN METAL & KILL WEEDS "" !!

[@chaitanyasashidharan8475]

77?! But he only looks 76!!

[@ericwhitmore2296]

It works well using baking soda in the vinegar

[@Lycanthropelrp]

@Cactuss your 9 years old clearly

[@arnesste000]

Tip for everyone if you heat the metal aka Pliers or fishing knives hot enough to melt wax on to the metal then wipe the excess off they will never rust again , the wax gets into the pores of the metal and seals it from the water I’ve got knives and fishing pliers forty years old sitting in my tackle box and they won’t rust because I treated them with paraffin wax in this way .

[@soggykid5580]

Ahh, so it is like waxing ski's/snowboards. Only knives, makes sense. Good tip

[@arnesste000]

@@soggykid5580 ski wax is what I use . Just warmed up the knives and pliers up enough to melt the wax coated the items and wipe off the melted wax before they cooled down to much .

[@Majorvideonut2]

great tip thanks

[@j.t.4299]

Or a short spray of WD 40. A lot less work than heating and waxing then scraping.

[@HiVizCamo]

Just like seasoning cast iron pans same concept. I've made mixtures of 50% beeswax and 50% edible oils to do pans, and apparently straight beeswax works great on other metals like steel axes, other tools.

[@SeeTheWholeTruth]

Ive been telling people for years. You dont even have to put it in a huge bath of it, you can soak papertowels, wrap the area and put it in sealed up environment. Ziploc bag, whatever. Tap the rust with a bit of wood every day, seal it up. Works in no time. You can do this with a great many things, just make sure it stays air tight as you can get it.

[@southernsalt]

Good to know!

[@MangaGamified]

Can you make a bit of video demonstration? also any idea for rust in roofs that's too big to wrap?

[@rh6625]

Sure, you wouldn't want to waste a bottle of $2.00 vinegar. Instead use a ziploc bag and paper towels AND vinegar. Just immerse it, then you don't have to worry about being air-tight.

[@floridaman6982]

@@rh6625 a splash of vinegar in a closed bag. You can even reuse the bag. Thats a good tip what the heck you gotta be so negative for man??

[@rh6625]

@@floridaman6982 Not negative, just an observation. Why did you view my post as negative? I thought I was giving good advice.

[@wrkey]

I bought an '82 Goldwing Aspencade motorcycle that had been sitting for years and the interior of the gas tank had lots of surface rust. The fuel line that is built into the tank also had rust on it and inside the tube. At the advice of others I filled the 5 gallon tank with 80% White vinegar and 20% water. Let is set for 2 days. When I emptied and then rinsed it a few times with plain water the tank and tube looked like new. I've put 10,000 miles on her since and not one problem with the tank or fuel line or fuel filter.

[@southernsalt]

Awesome!!

[@deniswauchope3788]

That was a great video! A couple of suggestions- use some baking soda in water to neutralize the vinegar acid left on the tools, otherwise they'll rust even faster; and I use steel wool & oil to finish them up, so that they'll stay rust-free (at least until the next trip at the bottom of the kayak!)

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Got to remember that the rusting will have extended up into the rubber handle covers, as indeed will the vinegar. Possibly not apllicable here (but y'never know !!), thus if possible pull back the grips and do the entire metal tool then re-affix yhe lastic/rubber grips.

[@1000REMBOY]

What oil?

[@deniswauchope3788]

@@1000REMBOY I just use whatever's handy, motor oil or 3-in-1. Either one will prevent further rusting.

[@utubestalker.dotcom]

that explains when i used a chemical rust remover for a [display] toy.. it got the rust off.. but it later came back faster. good looking out about the baking soda/rinse off and the steel wool and oil combo to finish

[@housewashjosh5910]

@@1000REMBOY Use automatic transmission fluid. It's full of rust inhibitors.

[@Phyrman1]

As others have said, using steel wool on the tool after the vinegar works wonders. Takes the remaining rust right off. Great video.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks!!

[@DM-ICE]

@@CalebBerman The simple truth is that there is no god. Why spread lies?

[@rogerandjoan4329]

@@CalebBerman Maybe he could keep my tools from rusting in the first place and I wouldn’t need to watch videos like this.

[@ledsalesoz]

@@DM-ICE Wasting your time, true believers like Caleb are delusional, you can't change their minds. They need their religious drivel to make sense of their crappy lives, they don't have the emotional strength to do life on their own. If it wasn't Jesus, it would be some other cult or crazy belief system, they always latch onto something so that they don't have to deal with reality.

[@SilentKnight43]

@@CalebBerman There are over 5,000 'gods' worshipped on earth. Do you renounce the other 4,999?

[@waitingforleeknowssolo]

started building an outside shed, and a lot of my tools were rusty but your video and some of the comments made my life a lot easier. doing gods work

[@Brucev7]

"God" Isaiah 44:6

[@1947SteveC]

Ask god why he let your tools rust, or what he uses to prevent rust?

[@Brucev7]

@@1947SteveC Why Should He?

[@Dwightpower88]

​@@1947SteveCI'd rather ask a leftist why they think going after pedophiles is an attack on the LGBTP community

[@the_other_apg]

At last a straight forward how to video using what most of us have in the home. Also made a note of the follow up comments about baking soda or other neutralising additives added to the water! Excellent, thanks from across the pond!

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, thanks!

[@jakeyboy2929]

So soak in vinegar, rinse, then soak them in water and baking soda to finish?

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

@@jakeyboy2929 You forgot the brush and oil parts.

[@aslmx1918]

One more tip. Always oil your tools with handles with the handles up. If oil gets in between the metal and rubber/plastic it will make your handles come off

[@southernsalt]

I’ve never heard of that one before, thanks for the tip!

[@randalcquebedeaux314]

Handles actually look cleaner too.

[@billvetter5328]

Great post. We just bought a house that was built in 1950 and rummaging through the barn, I found two really old tools that are worse looking than those pliers. Now I have a mission for the weekend...

[@southernsalt]

Let us know how it works out for you!

[@johannecostello7688]

I have been cleaning rusty tools the last few days after watching this video. They look great. Thank you!

[@mikelarsen7594]

Thank you so much for this. My husband passed away last year and left a ton of tools. He loved to tinker and fix things. This will be so helpful. I use vinegar for many things so I always have a gallon or 2 around . And it is so cheap . Annie

[@lvsaltwater]

I wanted to add ,, after seeing your post this,, as I said below ,, I did this to several tools I had ,, one small pair of pliers I have ,, a nice pair I got from my dad years ago ,, came out looking brand new ,, I now use them when I tie my crappie jigs ,, if a lead head jig I am wanting to tie a crappie jig to has a keeper hook on it ,, I use the pliers to help remove that keeper hook ,, new life for a pair of pliers that means a lot to me ,,

[@HiVizCamo]

I tried this on some cast iron bbq grill grates that went rusty over the winter, worked really well! At the same time I had an electrolysis bath set up to do smaller and rustier things, a pan and smaller tools. The grates were too big for my bath basin I had set up, so tried vinegar in a shallow pan. Have to say the vinegar worked about 80-90% as well as the electrolysis bath, with way less mess and trouble, rigging the bath and all the connections is quite a PITA, ill be doing vinegar the next time for sure. Also, jug your used vinegar and save it for next time, the sample you have there is probably still potent enough to do its work.

[@chrisbraid2907]

If you haven’t got a big enough bath you can actually take a large plastic bag and put the grate in that , lifting the opening above the height of the grate , like nail it to a 2x4 and fill it with your vinegar … or make a wooden frame and line it with plastic ….

[@HiVizCamo]

@@chrisbraid2907 Yah, I thought of that later, and thanks. I'm sure that would work quite well, and maybe use less solution to boot. Happy de-rusting!

[@JackRR15]

@@CalebBerman I'm sorry nah fuck relgion.

[@mandycastle9042]

Thank you for a great video. I'm grabbing my tools and vinegar right now! So excited to try this and recover tools, seeing so many positive comments makes me even more eager to use this method.

[@southernsalt]

Thank you for watching! Let us know how it turns out!!

[@mollycox8039]

Just put a wrench in vinegar and then looked up your video to see how long to leave them in it. Yay! I am famous for forgetting a tool outside and I am changing my ways. I look forward to getting this old item back in shape. Thanks so much!

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@lisa2stewart]

I totally have a bunch of sockets that got left in a bucket that got leaked in. This is going to really save me stress. I've been putting it off for a few months and just dragging my big case around. Thanks a bunch 🙂

[@leonarddickerson583]

Nice, cheap fix! I've got some rusty tools that I'll immediately experiment on myself. Thanks for the tip.

[@paulettepier5526]

I'm so glad I continued to scroll for ways to remove rust & stopped at yours ! I have hard to find older floor registers and mine are really..years old & full of rust. I had to stop the video mid ways & go sink one of the registers into the remaining gallon of vinegar....plus added the same needle nose pliers (just as locked up & rusty as yours "WERE"...I continued watching & am now anxiously awaiting the 24 hours !! Thanks bunches!!

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, let us know how it goes!!

[@barryallenflash1]

I acquired my father-in-laws tools when he moved to an asst' living and a LOT of them look like your pliers, so I'm gonna try this and hopefully it works for me like it worked for you. I'll let ya know!! Thanks for sharing this GREAT tip!!

[@cindyhappel7376]

That’s amazing!! I’m crying now thinking about how many fishing pliers I’ve thrown away!! Thanks for the tips!

[@southernsalt]

I’ve done it a ton myself.

[@gballs007]

Another useful tip...keep a coffee can or similar filled 3/4 way with oil and just toss/store your fishing tools tips down after each use/whenever you're not using...and put the lid on and just wipe ends with a rag(or shake in water a little then wipe if needed) real quick when u are going to use ..(mainly useful on a boat..) just be careful not to submerge the handles in the oil if you are going to be rigging lines and make everything all oily..

[@lvsaltwater]

I did this with a few tools in my box ,, worked really well ,, some took several re dips & wire brushings ,, they went from the trash can to re useable and back into my tool box :)

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, I’ve done it on a few tools now and all are still I. Great shape.

[@lexoxoanna]

I have a baby stroller I’m trying to sell, but the tires are rusty. Since I can’t soak the tire, do you recommend anything?

[@bearsoundzMusic]

As Denis Wauchope mentioned it is important to stop the acidic vinegar with neutralisation at about pH 8, otherwise the iron/ steel breaks down. bicarbonate is one way, but anything with a pH above 7 would do fine. The vinegar 'trick' work well, but you do need to remember that you are removing metal from the item, so fine engravings or measurement lines of a scale or similar, may be lost in the process. For pliers, fine and absolutely no issues.

[@southernsalt]

👍🏻

[@monelleny]

Some people mix baking soda into the vinegar. Is that a good idea?

[@twatts1523]

Wouldn’t a little ammonia water work just as well, without the risk of salty residue? Then slather them with wax and let it soak in overnight?

[@inmyopinionwisdom4986]

Great tip(s) thank you for sharing that info!

[@inmyopinionwisdom4986]

@@monelleny I thought that you were suppose to mix the baking soda in the H2O (water). Then dip the tool into it AFTER soaking the object in the vinegar 24 hrs. (I think the "soaking" length of time depends largely on how "rusty" the object is???? But, I know that in chemistry class that baking soda has a LOW PH Level. Sometimes, folks use it in their swimming pools to "neutralize" the chlorine in the water prior to swimming. ;-D PURE SCIENCE AT IT'S BEST! ;-D

[@saturnslipper]

Oh this video just saved me $25.50 for rust remover and rust stopper on Amazon. Have 2 rusted but expensive multitools that cleaned up beautifully after their vinegar soak, etc. Oiled afterwards and now they look like new--Thanks Very Much!! 😃

[@southernsalt]

Awesome!! Glad it helped!!

[@BobAquatic]

It works super well! Saved many needle nose with this method past few years. It'll break up the rust in just a few minutes

[@southernsalt]

Nice!

[@paulhurst4327]

Thanks from me in the UK. Didn’t know of that trick. I will sure try it.

[@Kensbev]

Dude, you are awesome! I'm bringing a sewing machine back rom the dead, Nevr-Dull wasn't getting all the rust off of a spinning part that holds the two belts on the machine. I could buy a spare, replacing it is beyond my knowledge at this point. I used some vinegar on a toothbrush, wasn't good enough. So, I tried the vinegar on a scrubby sponge, got it right off. I coated the metal with sewing machine oil, and now to fix the next thing! Thanks so much

[@fingerfeller]

thank you for posting your video, my father served in the navy for 25 years, 1955-1980, 4 tours in vietnam, one in korean war, he was mechanic and had a lot of snap on tools ( part numbers had the V in it) , chrome, impact, sockets, wrenches, etc.. the navy had to have the best tools, well i did not know what i had until i got older but by then they were almost garbage, i did the vinegar and am proud to say i know why the government pays for the old saying, " why does the govt pay 200$ for a hammer when i can get one for only 10 $ its a waste of taxpayers money !!" ?well its because the military has to have tools that wont break down or break. the military issue snap on tools are now being used by me , i have to take my wratchet to the snap on tools truck that visits our city dealership ( ford ) and he will repair it free, lifetime warranty, the snap on guy tells me my tools are very expensive, i am grateful for this tip, i was sanding and grinding a couple of items but noticed i was removing metal not just rust and the rust would return since it was never removed, thanks again sir, cheers

[@hwy27west]

Great job...might want to add a little vinegar to the swimming pool!

[@johncarbutt4311]

I like your sense of humor 👍

[@gregorymonteiro2744]

😂

[@ryanritschard7534]

6-8 gals of bleach...you meant✓

[@graphene1487]

i put pudding in mines.

[@Wendy-xj6pu]

😂🤣

[@mlh1048]

Man that was freaking awesome! Thanks 🙏

[@raulderooy2378]

Thank You so much for the video. The vinigar is available in the kitchen, on a Sunday afternoon, and it works. Five Stars !

[@emersonsrandomvideos248]

WOooowWW 😳😳😳 That was amazingly easy and simple!!! Thanks Dude!!!

[@loremoreno5073]

Thank you for this video and for all your other helpful suggestions. I bought some flower gardening snippers like three weeks ago and I forget them outside, we've had some beautiful rain and guess what happened???? Yep they got hella rusty. So gonna try this trick. You all have a great day and God Bless!

[@southernsalt]

Thank you I hope it works well for you.

[@biggaywizard]

I used this technique a bunch of years ago on bicycle parts and it worked incredibly well. I forgot got long to leave the metal in the vinegar so looked it up again and came across your video. I'm cleaning up some weights that were in kind of bad shape I got for free so I can build a home gym. This was excellent, thank you!

[@southernsalt]

Awesome man! Glad to hear it’s word well for you in the past!

[@lexoxoanna]

You said you used this technique with bicycle parts. I’m currently trying to sell a stroller with 3 small tires with rust on it. Since I can’t soak the tires what do you recommend?

[@biggaywizard]

@@lexoxoanna I just soaked clean rags in vinegar then put them on the parts and covered it in plastic so it wouldn't dry out. It worked fantastically!!

[@VonSolo5]

Holy cow! I am so excited. This is great. I was just about to order new hedge trimmers to replace my rusty ones. Thank you.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@koastalsandibum8722]

Thanks for the great instructional video! I just cleaned all my tools and they're looking like new. ✅

[@southernsalt]

Awesome 🙌

[@steverundle8635]

Great go to video, right to the point, sir! Thanks for your validations!

[@southernsalt]

Thank you sir hope you find the same success that I did.

[@craigrumbal6811]

Thanks Cuz! I’ve got a 1965 Bedford housetruck that needs some vinegar. Jobs on.

[@deniswauchope3788]

You'll need the bulk supply, a 3000 gal. tank should do it! ;-)

[@happybakergirl1292]

Thanks. Will add it to my household tips file, share it with my husband, and try it on our metal dish drainer. Awesome tip. :)

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, let us know how it works for you!

[@veronicapurcell6239]

Great job. The old fashioned way works best. This avoids waste. Very efficient. Thanks for sharing.

[@southernsalt]

Thank you ma’am!

[@garywain4011]

I've been using the same method for a few weeks, but only just seen this. If you can leave the tools 3-4 days the results are exponentially better. Seriously, just leave it a while longer and you don't even need to wire brush, the rust just wipes away.

[@southernsalt]

I might have to do that.

[@denysvlasenko1865]

Acid also attacks iron, not only its oxide. Too long a bath can dissolve the tool too, not just rust.

[@dwade6322]

Does the vinegar affect the rest of a hand tool that isnt metal? Such as the rubber type hand grips?

[@redladyfish4201]

That’s an awesome tip, I will be sure to try it on my rusty tools. It is expensive to be replacing them all the time. Tight lines 🎣👍

[@southernsalt]

Thanks, let us know how it goes!

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

Ima try this on my rusty trimmer blade

[@ianboard3555]

This was one of the best youtube hacks I've seen. It works. And if you leave it in too long - no harm done. The second I took it out of the vinegar, I hit it with WD40 to displace the water, then wiped it off.

[@southernsalt]

Right on! Glad you got great results with it!!

[@1jacqueline234]

THANK YOU! I am going to go to the tool shed and use this info!

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@brianmagoo1876]

I just watched your video...12:20 am, told my wife I was going out to the shed to get something, what the hell for ? Hmmm, she didn't seem very impressed, my old rusty needle nose pliers I found years ago are know enjoying a lovely "soak" in a shallow tray. Can't wait !!!!!! Thanks !!

[@southernsalt]

Let us know how it goes!

[@melaniegoldstine8790]

Love he Newk’s cup! One of my favorite places .

[@southernsalt]

Lol mine too l

[@veepotter307]

Got a pair just like that, so now I know what to do. Thank you for a very helpful video.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@Vicky-lv8xb]

Thanks for this video. Great information.

[@billyhook7576]

Hello sir Giovanni from Philly wow tomorrow I'm gonna try this with my rusted tools thanks again

[@boomerang6130]

how did it work for you Billy?

[@FatDadFishing]

Thanks for posting this. I have a pair of pliers I left in my kayak after my last trip and need to do this!

[@southernsalt]

Thanks for watching and commenting, let us know how it goes!

[@gwiyomikim5988]

I’m going to try this on an old rusted cast iron skillet lid I found. Vinegar treatment, wire brush, and re-seasoning should do the trick. I thank you & my formerly lidless #10 cast iron skillet thanks you.👍🏼

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, let us know how it goes!

[@richardautry8269]

If you follow any process video on how to remove all the old coating on the lid it will also remove the rust. I had a skillet that was rusted. This worked perfectly. There are a lot of videos on how to do this.

[@carolbaughan8768]

Great 💡 ideas

[@wheepingwillow24u17]

WOW, THAT WAS AMAZING. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS KNOWLEDGE. WOW

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@josezendejas136]

Nice, just ended up with a tool box full rusty tools for free. Going to do this see how many I can save. THANK YOU FOR THE INFO.

[@thesaucespeaks4518]

Update?👀

[@michaelbest7872]

You are not going to see how many you CAN save. You will see how many you WILL save !

[@DANIAC262]

Just fill the box up with vinegar

[@paigetaylor2264]

@SmittyWerbenjager Manjenson No . Use a plastic container that you never eat with again .

[@KempOutside]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the tip!

[@joelmosier125]

Thank you so much for your video, saving me from foolishly purchasing a product I didn't need. I always research it first and consider all factors for 3 days. Thank you.

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@lorri763]

I found this while searching how to remove rust from metal screw top lids, like on glass pantry jars. Thanks for the info. I now know what to do!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@MVMullins]

I recently found out that vinegar will also clean corrosion caused from battery leakage as well and it does it really quickly. I had a pair of rusted pliers that got left out accidently, so I just put them in white vinegar for a day to try it for myself. Ok, so I gave it not one, but 3 days time to soak and it's amazing. A wire brush took everything off down to the bare metal. A little rinse, followed by some WD-40 and finally oil and they'll good to go.

[@SilentKnight43]

I've founded powdered graphite or silicone-based lubricant is more efficient than wd-40.

[@twatts1523]

Yep, or just a little Coca Cola.

[@oldgoat1890]

Just a warning to gun re-finishers. Vinegar removes bluing(A form of rust) also.

[@normanbraslow7902]

Thanks for the warning!

[@TheChristonline]

Thanks Mr. Old Goat , I don't have a rusty firearm , but I will remember (hopefully) your warning. Very kind of you to be concerned for others .

[@judyreyjumamoy]

why is it a warning?

[@don7406]

Old Goat is right. I’ve had luck with 0000 steel wool (very fine) and oil on older firearms that I didn’t want to remove the original finish.

[@normanbraslow7902]

Nik Xau Firearms and swords, as well as almost all metal antiques, must have the original finish, if possible. Take a Old firearm, say 100 or more years old, and there will be some rust or otherwise marring of the surface. If the firearm is refinished the value will, not can, will be cut in half or more. Markings will be erased, the metal will lose its shape, even just a very little bit. If the firearm has even a little of the original finish, that must not be removed. Vinegar will take the original blue or brown off, as both are a form of rust. I've seen all too many vintage antique firearms and swords that were refinished and their collector value destroyed.

[@AMC-eq3jr]

I had the same problem and did something extra: Removed from solution, wired brushed and sandpapered, water wash, alcohol cleaning, sprayed with professional black can spray paint. The rust originated from being in a plastic tool box in my car trunk because the inside of the tool box was full of moisture. The cause was the warmth in the pm and later the drop in temperature at night as this happened over several weeks, as I thought I had a leak in my car trunk. Never happened again after the paint job.

[@gballs007]

Just keep the lid of the plastic tool box open a bit and it won't condense up inside from the temp. changes!

[@jefflaw1764]

Thanks for this info. I've been using CLR and that sometimes works

[@haroldboettger8982]

I’ve always used muriatic acid but it’s nice to know vinegar works too. I also find an ammonia rinse helps prevent future rusting.

[@waynecoker5960]

Muratic puts ions in the metal that cannot be removed I read. Unless it's bathed in oil it will always be more subject to rust .

[@StonemanRocks]

I wouldnt use muratic! Thats extreme when vinegar works like a champ!

[@faithlesshound5621]

Muriatic acid = old name for hydrochloric acid or HCl.

[@oftin_wong]

The only difference is the strength Vinegar just takes longer because it's weaker ...it's all H ions doing the work

[@blkpopeye]

muriatic acid is extreme! it also eats the good metal too.

[@hammadoolass]

Great!! It also gets rid of bathroom mould when sprayed on neat (tons cheaper than branded sprays).

[@southernsalt]

Yes indeed!

[@j.503]

Useful demonstration, thank you.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks!

[@alkenny7074]

Also since vinegar is getting used in a lot of homemade weed killing formulas you can derust tools and then use the used vinegar to make the weed killer thus getting double the bang for your buck. :)

[@Search4TruthReality]

I had no idea. Thank you for sharing!

[@b-2466]

I used white vinegar, scrubbed with wire brush and good as new.

[@David-sw3on]

Ahh this is Great,Thank you! I have a serious rusty underplate from a 1950s L&R Watch Cleaning Machine That I need to take care of for a customer, so this is Perfect!👍😉🇨🇦

[@usaearthling]

Very impressive.

[@josephcioni5293]

That's a great tip, surgical pliers are always opened up for sterilization. That might help get those areas that are hidden while closed.

[@alankenney]

My thought as well.

[@AdvocatingMamaBear]

That is AMAZING! A definite must for me to do!

[@southernsalt]

Thanks!!

[@nunyabusiness863]

Thanks for posting this dude. Timeless helpfulness.

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@crusinscamp]

I learned this trick back in the late '70s. Totally forget how I learned it. At one point, I had a 5-gallon bucket of vinegar for derusting stuff. Any acid will work. There's free hydrogen ions in the acid that chemically debond the oxygen atoms from the metal atoms in the rust. Vinegar is just a nice, inexpensive acid to work with. At least, that's my take on it. After derusting and rinsing, I would give it a wipe down with WD-40 and Johnson's paste wax. That seems to provide a decent coating that provides reasonable prevention of future rust.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Simmer the rusty tool in vinegar on the stove top (lowest setting; just simmer, no need to boil) and you'll speed up the results to about an hour. I rehabilitated an ancient rusty bench vise this way, and the parts came out practically clean. Little wire brushing to remove residual bits of rust and paint, and a good wash to remove the vinegar (the comment elsewhere in this thread about a baking soda dip is a good idea), and they were ready for primer.

[@southernsalt]

👍🏻

[@sarahchan-reeves8829]

Duuuuuuude!! TYVM from Melbourne 🇦🇺. You taught me something new today that's going to help me greatly 👌🏻🤩

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@AAR2VZ]

This could save a lot of money by repairing tools, rather than replacing. Thank you !!

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@themegasexybasterd]

It would be best to lightly sandpaper them with W-D40 then oil the whole thing let sit overnight with as much oil that will stay on them wipe off next day oil the joint again. Thanks for the vid!

[@tubegor]

Great video👋 My advice for tool purchases: Chromium-vanadium tools do not have rust problems.🛠

[@southernsalt]

Thanks!

[@klomax7089]

Wow what a great tip! I will be using this for sure, thx for sharing 👍🏽

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@nctunes]

That brush look like a military issued cleaning kit brush and break free. Awesome work. Wishing nothing but good for you.

[@southernsalt]

It is lol, thank you sir!!

[@lucianprescott8357]

There are numerous videos of metal restoration (tools, machines, garden tools) on KZbin. The three biggest rust removers are vinegar, Evaporust, or electrolysis using a battery charger. Depending on the amount of decay and rust, some will use one or a combination of methods. I’ve used all three and while vinegar works; for badly rusted items I use Evaporust or electrolysis.

[@southernsalt]

I might do a comparison video.

[@ILruffian]

Electrolysis is truly badass. Initially, I thought it would be too complicated. But it's actually easy.

[@layzy24]

@@southernsalt did you?

[@MrSamBowers]

You can clean that vinegar in the glass by using a coffee filter, a tall soda fountain cup and clothespins (the kind with a spring) to keep the filter from sliding into the cup. The save it is a spare container for future use. I would never use the vinegar for any kind of food consumption. But you might want to use it again as a solvent. That's how I make my vinegar last longer.

[@Snt8lr21]

Thank you sir. Great video. I have some cutlery I wanted to clean and saw you video. Thanks again.

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, let us know how it goes!!

[@sheilamore3261]

Wow thank you so much for sharing yes I need to do some of mine this is incredible

[@southernsalt]

Thank you!

[@crazyamericangamer7036]

Trying this now on my rusty trimmer blade

[@romcallis]

Thanks. I’ve been throwing my rusted tools away. I have a habit of leaving them in the yard. Plus we live near the ocean so they get rusted shut

[@paulking8318]

Great help works well thankyou

[@alistairmelhuish2168]

bloody awesome video. many thanks.

[@shawnbradley3874]

The left over solution makes a great ebonizing dye for wood with a high tannic acid content like cherry, red oak, mahogany..

[@JennaPitcherTHX1138]

Thanks for the tip.

[@a.caution.hairy.tail.]

I like any idea when I can reuse and recycle. Thanks

[@28tpi]

That's some good stuff that white vinegar is. It also works on invisalign braces 2 parts water 1 part viniger. It's way better than the (cleaning crystals) it comes with. Also is a good weed killer. Probably 1000 uses. Good video!

[@AhparathYasharahla]

How long do you leave it in the vinegar mixture? Cost of retainer tablets has gone up for me!

[@28tpi]

When I take them out they go in and stay there until I'm ready to use again. Sometimes 12 hrs. I've had no problems so far. Works better than the stuff that comes with the aligners.

[@kathybennett7560]

I found one our hammers that was left out in the weather over the winter. I am placing the head of it in vinegar tonight and will let you know the results. Your wire cutters look amazing after the vinegar treatment. Can’t wait! Will let you know. ❤

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@sussexseaangler1858]

Yes brilliant! I've cleaned up tools. Nails, screws, fishing hooks, reels and rod rings. Works a treat. Not only cheap but very little work. I buy old tools for pennies and clean them to perfect working order.😁😁

[@southernsalt]

Awes thanks for sharing!

[@shdwbnndbyyt]

I would use a bit of Isopropyl alcohol (70 or 90%) to dry the water off the tool before oiling, the IPA/water will quickly evaporate off... It works for chemical glassware in the lab.

[@glennvanzuylen3582]

I’m going to try it . Thanks 🙏

[@MyLifeThai371]

That's awesome that there is a cheap alternative to remove rust! In Diesel mechanics school we dropped parts in Carb Cleaner over night and they came out looking like new, but Carb Cleaner is extremely expensive.

[@southernsalt]

Definitely!

[@TexasRose50]

I’m a 70 year old woman, I clean my tools by using the brush on the grinder. A lot faster and I actually enjoy doing it. Been doing this for years.

[@marylizakowski6736]

Love it!

[@TexasRose50]

Thank you! Have a great Mother’s Day!

[@marylizakowski6736]

@@TexasRose50 Likewise!

[@mackjenkins7721]

Wow man I didn't know vinegar could do all that. That was awesome how I took that rust off. Man I throw away $100 worth of tools i use to work on the truck 🚛 because of it being released. I'm going to have to start doing this for now on. Thank you man I appreciate this. This will help me save some of them tools for my truck 🚛 when I work on it.

[@southernsalt]

Yessir let me know how it does for you.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@southernsalt I definitely will man.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@southernsalt Hey Brother how you doing. I just got home from Lake Charles I have a question? Is there special type of vinegar you have to use or just any vinegar will do. The wife thinks I'm crazy and ask me what I've been drinking on this trip.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Hey Brother how's it going. I thought I'd let you know I use this system on my father-in-law tools. Him and my wife thought that I was talkin drunk. I told them Watch What Happens. They couldn't believe it. Who's drunk now. "LOL" I hope you and your family are doing well brother.

[@alexanderguesthistorical7842]

Nice one! Got a rusty antique plane that needs cleaning off. Going shopping today, so must remember to get some vinegar! Cheers for the tip.

[@southernsalt]

Awesome, let us know how it goes

[@kgraham5820]

Vinegar is useful in so many ways, it’s almost a "miracle liquid." Thanks for the video! Now I’ll impress someone else with this knowledge!

[@southernsalt]

Right on 🙌

[@smokeydk7712]

Have used vinegar and 1 part water to de-rust cast iron camp ovens and fry pans ...takes 3 days but turn up like new...only thing is to quickly wipe cooking oil not olive over them from rusting again