Clean up rusty chains

[Doug - Iowa]

I started using synthetic slings and straps a few years ago and my pile of chains seen less and less use, to the point the surface rust has overtaken them. I decided to get them cleaned up and hung up on the wall so they don't get any worse, and because there are times only a chain is the right tool. Any ideas on a rust removal solution? 5 gallons of vinegar and let them soak?

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I dragged mine along the gravel driveway behind the tractor for half a kilometre to and then back from the post box . The were fairly ordinary when I started and bright and shiny when I returned .

 

[Steve@Advance]

There are many ways to remove rust.

Vinegar would probably do it if it is just discolored.

But if seriously encrusted it will need more serious chemicals.

Problem is, whatever is used, unless they are kept oiled, they will quickly rust again.

It's a personal choice, do you want rusty hands or oily hands when you go to use them?

I've never tried, but maybe some screw top bucket containers would seal them tight enough to not rust, maybe paint them, just a thought.

 

[Janicholson]

In Iowa, they will rust hanging on the wall. Probably more if made bright and shiny. They are pretty sure to be OK if rusted to a even patina. Keeping them in a bucket of oil would work, but using them all oily is not an answer. I would just hang them up. Putting an anti corrosion film on them (LPS corrosion inhibitor) is a less messy option. Jim

 

[Dave Sherburne, NY]

Throw them in the cement mixer with some sand

 

[jeffcat]

Down here in SJ It is nothing but sand. Just hook them behind a tractor and go for a long drag. After, just spray them with some of that rust inhibitor and hang them up under cover.

 

[showcrop]

Clean them with any of the phosphoric acid products such as Ospho or SEM's Rust Mort. It will put an iron phosphate protective coating on them too.

 

[tomturkey]

When I used to trap, I would dye my traps with walnut hulls mixed in water and brought to a near boil. (Outside fire in an old barrel cutoff)I would then add wax to the boiling water dip my traps in it. It removed all any oils and scent and left the trap nearly black. When you pulled the traps out they would be coated with the wax floating on the surface. I treated the log chains I had just like the traps. Came out a nice nearly black coating with a very very thin coating of wax. A little bit of rust even makes the metal take up the dye a little better. Just an idea to consider. gobble

 

[Mark - IN.]

Thanks for the reminder. It's time to do the tire chains. Probably should grease them and store them in burlap sacks like they made us do annually in the Army for our 5-tons, but I never do and they get rusted up setting in plastic milk jug cases in the corner. Make a two-for out of changing engine oil. Chains into 5 gallon pails, used tractors oil into the pail over them, pull them out, let them hang to get the excess off. Works just fine. To get rid of the used motor oil, I mix it with diesel fuel and burn it off in a orchard heater used as a barn heater and use a fan to blow the heat off of the orchard heater stack around the barn working area. Of course, no stored fuel in the barn or anywhere near the orchard heater goes without saying.

Mark

 

[Mike Groom]

I dip my chains in a five gallon bucket of diluted paint,usually about 10 to 20 % diluted,it's only about 2 gallons of paint in the bucket,you can usually find or have some oil base paint around that you didn't use,the color doesn't matter and if you mix 2 together you may get an odd color.I let them hang to drip off over another bucket,every few years I have new looking chains and it stops the rust from getting to bad.Keeps your hands from getting rusty too!

 

[Fred Werring]

While it doesn't remove rust, I'll soak my chains in a bucket of oil, then hang them up to drip most of the oil off.

Yes, there will still be some oil on the chains, but if I'm dealing with chains, I'm getting dirty anyway.

Fred

 

[Steve in VA]

I also use the drag method, either behind the tractor or the golf cart depending on what I'm doing.

 

[T.R.K.]

Yes, that is what I was thinking.

 

[DRussell]

Put them on the tractor and drive it around.