Removing Rust- Help

[defjon]

Hello,

A few of my blades were stored for a long period and I need to remove some surface rust. There may be pitting.

I have several carbon steel swords, a few knives.

I've heard of everything from steel wool, to...vegetable oil? Sandpaper?

Looking for some solid advice on ridding some long swords of rust. Mothers mag polish didn't seem to do much.

I want to get off as much as I can to improve the look and longevity of the blades. Also, to store them without the carbon steel rusting again, is some kind of wax my only choice? The blades were well oiled before being stored.

Thanks.

 

[CWL]

Let your preferred brand of oil sit and penetrate the rust spots overnight before you go to work removing the rust.

Any good paste wax should work. I prefer car wax (it's good-enough to protect your many $K cars, right?) as well as Renaissance Wax.

I also use Flitz Gun Wax and beeswax (kinda on the thick side though).

Others have recommended Johnson's Paste Wax.

 

[hso]

Sandpaper?

Dear Lord, NO!

You'll only damage the blade further by using harsh methods to try to remove the rust.

As said, use penetrating oil, a terry cloth, and lots of effort. If that doesn't remove enough take a tooth brush and penetrating oil and gently scrub then clean off the swarf and go back to the terry cloth and oil. What you'll end up with is the best you'll have to protect.

Coat in wax and buff.

If you can't live with the results have a knifemaker look at whether they can polish out the damage and decide if you want to pay them to do it.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Grinding Paste

I used valve grinding paste and cotton balls to some good effect on a Case Sod Buster Jr that had picked up a little rust.


Before:



It still has some pitting, but the red rust is gone.

After:

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm goin' with CWL. If what ever procedure you go with does not involve at least one overnight than just walk them straight into a wire wheel now.
Soaking them and removing every thing loose with care before doing anything aggressive will be the best start.