Removing Rust on Shims

[Anonymous-0]

How can rust be safely removed from steel shims?

 

[Anonymous-0]

what kind of rims ? rear tractor sure

 

[Anonymous-0]

Marlowe:I was referring to shims instead of rims. Thanks, AWB

 

[Anonymous-0]

sorry should read things better. shims for what? if rust is not deep and in one area can't see why not

 

[BarryfromIA]

Try your near by chrome shop. They have tanks to clean bumpers before chroming.

 

[RobMD]

REMEMBER... shims are NOT their original size when they're rusted up and cleaned up.

I would use phosphoric acid.

 

[Nolan]

Depends on the type of shim and the type of rust.

A set of valve shims that are going to be riding on a camshaft, I wouldn't use a shim with any sort of rust. Not even faint surface rust. The last thing I want is any surface imperfection that could damage the camshaft lobe.

A shim for getting the bed flat on my lathe could be heavily pitted for all I care.

As for cleaning, wire brushing, sanding, chemical dip, etc. Depends on how fast I need the rust removed, how thoroughly, and how heavily it's rusted.