I purchased a Model T "in a box'! I have all the original bolts and fastners that I would like to clean. Any ideas?

Jim,

I have used "Berryman's Chem-Dip" a parts and carburetor cleaner with great success. I purchased it at Autozone but I'm sure other auto supply stores have it too. Berryman has been in business since 1918. The cleaner comes in a gallon paint type can and includes a strainer basket to lower the parts into the can. Good stuff.

I use a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder for small parts like that. Makes 'em look like new.

Was looking for a chemical way to do it!!

I'm with Mike, a wire wheel on the grinder, a face shield, gloves and needle nose vise grip pliers are all that is needed.

Tried chemicals, too messy. Dried chemicals in the threads and castle nut tops. Can't get grease caked in, leaves the parts ugly. Fishing out of the can or draining into a screen, parts gone.

Tried vibrator cleaner with ceramic beads, wedges,and pyramids. Same thing, can't get out dried grease, parts of the beads stuck in the bolt holes for the cotter pins, and in the castle nuts.

Wire brushed parts are clean, shiny, and have a nice patina that looks good even un-painted. But are so clean you can paint them easy.


Before wire brush in battery powered drill

After wire brush, chrome paint, and clear coat with a neat decal. Econo 'nickel plate' look Presto Lite tank for show.

Don't chemically clean steering parts, main bearing bolts, connecting rod bolts or any item where the failure might cause an accident. Chemical cleaning can induce hydrogen embrittlement which can result in a delayed failure later. Degreaser should be OK.

For small parts, I use a Tumbler which is sold at any gun store. This is used to clean the ammo brass for reloading. I just use a coarse media. Load up the hopper, turn it on, and forget it.

Ive soaked entire coffee cans full of rusted nuts and bolts in Evaporust, they came out as nice clean steel. It is a harmless solution too, not an acid.

What is that evaporust? How does it do what it does? Can it be used over again? For how long? Any safty issues?

Thanks all

Where can I purchase EVAPORUST?

You can always use electrolysis. do a google search of electrolysis rust removal. and you will find a lot of info.

I use electrolysis a lot for gas pump parts and model t parts - I have a tank set up with stainless sides, and I have droped a full transmission in it. It will destroy the aluminum and babbit but the other parts come out clean and ready to bead blast. Nothing is better then taking apart a CLEAN transmission.


Travis
Topeka, Kansas

Evaporust is supposed to be a really good rust remover. You can check it out at the Harbour freight tool site. There is also an earlier thread on the forum about it. Several people on the thread have had really good luck with it.

http://www.evapo-rust.com/

Evapo-rust works, but so far I have NOT seen the dramatic results of the web site, or the short time frames they advertise.
It does do amazing things all the same if you are patient and I will continue to use it.
Cheers
Adrian