The DU Lounge

lastlib

(26,331 posts)

15. I think a better idea....

Fri Jun 6, 2025, 02:11 PM

Jun 6

straight white distilled vinegar in a plastic bag. Soak for an hour, see what comes off. Scrub with steel wool. Rinse, dry, repeat.

Alternative to vinegar is (you may or may not believe this, but it works) soak it in Coca-Cola. Be sure to rinse it well after you're done, b/c the sugar will gum it up.

If that doesn't work, try an electrolysis bath. More expensive, moe complicated, but not hard, and guaranteed to clean it. Plenty of YouTube videos on how-to. I use it for cast iron, and it works great!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

19 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Q. How do I restore a large garden shears that has totally rusted shut? [View all] Grasswire2 Jun 5 OP

Have you tried PB Blaster? flvegan Jun 5 #1

I'll keep it in mind. Grasswire2 Jun 5 #4

A hammer, most likely dpibel Jun 5 #2

what would I polish it wth? Grasswire2 Jun 5 #5

Sandpaper dpibel Jun 5 #9

thanks! nt Grasswire2 Jun 6 #17

Vinegar, strangely enough, removes rust. Try soaking a paper towel fierywoman Jun 5 #3

will test that out. Grasswire2 Jun 5 #6

I rescued a few of mine in a similar state! Then google or UT how to properly sharpen fierywoman Jun 5 #10

I think a better idea.... lastlib Jun 6 #15

you kinda' got yourself a problem. stopdiggin Jun 5 #7

heck no Grasswire2 Jun 5 #8

Soak the tool overnight in a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water. Emile Jun 5 #11

This message was self-deleted by its author sl8 Jun 5 #12

good hint about the eye protection! nt Grasswire2 Jun 7 #19

Kroil Earl_from_PA Jun 5 #13

This is what you want: LuckyCharms Jun 5 #14

thanks for the tip Grasswire2 Jun 7 #18

Coca-Cola removes rust. 3catwoman3 Jun 6 #16