Rust removal

[treeman53]

What is the best way to remove heavy rust on tractor sheet metal? Is the metal heavy enough that sand blasting won't warp it?

 

[Factotum]

If the tractor is old it will have some pretty heavy sheet metal. I'm going to blast my 8N hood this spring. I will still be careful.

 

[ToMang07]

Use a fine blasting material. I use baking soda for something delicate/thin.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

What is the best way to remove heavy rust on tractor sheet metal? Is the metal heavy enough that sand blasting won't warp it?

Sandblasting is not always best method. Plain White Vinegar will dissolve rust and crud without damaging the patina of the metal. I use it all the time for restoring old tools, carbs, and other tractor parts. It is a time consuming process and requires soaking for weeks at a time. Another method is electrolysis. You can make your own setup and use scrap metal as the catalyst conductant. I su old worn blades from my WOODS 660 MOWER. Large sheet metal parts like fenders and hoods require a big container and a plastic kiddie swimming pool works perfectly. You can find instructions to set up an electrolysis unit elsewhere here.

Tim Daley (MI)

 

[showcrop]

What is the best way to remove heavy rust on tractor sheet metal? Is the metal heavy enough that sand blasting won't warp it?

My primary weapon for removing rust from sheet metal and heavy flat steel is a flap wheel in my grinder. Be sure to wear a respirator mask because the rust really flies. For cast iron I use a cup style twisted wire wheel. I blast a little but pretty much just hard to get at places because it is so slow compared to the flap wheel. You will also want to "kill" the residual rust, especially in the pits. For this you want phosphoric acid. It reacts with any rust that it doesn't dissolve to form a barrier layer of iron phosphate which is the black coating on your impact wrench sockets and some other tools.

 

[zuhnc]

Evapo-Rust for those smaller parts. Works quite well. Won't remove any paint or grease, though. Purple Power takes care of that, prior to dunking into the Evapo-Rust. Might need multiple methods to get everything off. zuhnc

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

You can sand blast sheet metal but risk warping it from the peening action (not heat like most here believe) of the grains. Keep the nozzle back a little and don't linger in one spot. I glass bead small parts or use Evaporust. Purple Power full strength and soaking overnight will remove paint.

 

[showcrop]

You can sand blast sheet metal but risk warping it from the peening action (not heat like most here believe) of the grains. Keep the nozzle back a little and don't linger in one spot. I glass bead small parts or use Evaporust. Purple Power full strength and soaking overnight will remove paint.

I have media blasted plenty of sheet metal; 4-5 tractors and a car. As I posted earlier other means are much faster. From my experience the issue of a DIYer warping sheet metal with his hobby blaster is a suburban myth. Sure it can happen with an industrial set-up with a compressor powered by a six cylinder diesel, but that is not a worry for us.

 

[BillinCentralMO]

What is the best way to remove heavy rust on tractor sheet metal? Is the metal heavy enough that sand blasting won't warp it?

I like blasting with shredded corn cobs. Leaves a nice finish to put the paint on it.