[ARC5] restoring rusty metal tubes

[Mike Feher]

I find CLR really useful in an ultrasonic cleaner. 73 - Mike 

Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell NJ 07731
848-245-9115

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net <arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Roy Morgan
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 8:29 AM
To: Leslie Smith <lnsmith99 at gmail.com>
Cc: ARC5 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [ARC5] restoring rusty metal tubes

Here in the States, we find a product called "Rust-Away".  Small rusty things immersed in it come out rust free. Applying with brush or rag does not seem to work. Immersing a tube base and all may lead to trouble. 

The stuff may loosen or remove the original paint and type number, so:
- many metal tunes have the type number stamped onto the base ring. 
- for tubes with no such type number, scratching the number into the metal would do. 
-testing the tubes before de-rusting to eliminate duds would make sense.

A wire brush/wheel in a bench grinder, drill press, or hand drill may well be less messy than the chemical method. 

I have had poor results with a product called CLR - (for Calcium Lime Rust I think)

Roy Morgan
K1LKY Western Mass