Evapo-Rust Experience (Pic Heavy)

[jameslovesjammie]

I read on the forum of some folks using a product called Evapo-Rust to get rust out of their moulds. I have a problem with one mould in particular, so I decided to give it a try.

Since North Dakota isn't exactly known as a humid environment, I typically cast in my shed and let the moulds cool down on their own overnight, recovering them the next day. This has worked for me with Saeco, Modern Bond, Ideal, Lyman, RCBS, and Cramer moulds. I have never had an issue. In October 2008, I purchased a new Lyman 4 cavity mould (Cut Aug 08). From the first time I used it, the mould flash rusted but the cavities remained in good shape.

When I checked the mould a few days ago, I noticed some rust in the cavities. I decided to give Evapo-Rust a try. I am almost ashamed to post these before pictures.

Both Blocks

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-6986-1313300155279.jpg

I decided to do the worst looking block of the two. This would give me (hopefully) the most drastic transformation.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-3660-1313299644082.jpg

The cavities of said mould.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-4703-1313299608728.jpg

This is the product package and the mould in question.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-5578-1313300123075.jpg

Using a plastic storage container from Dollar Tree, I placed the mould on the bottom and poured enough Evapo-Rust in to cover the mould by about 1/4".

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-3670-1313299680712.jpg

The results: After 1/2 hour, this is how the mould looked. I would say that 90% of the block was amazing. However, I still had a slight rusting on the exterior of the mould and the cavitites still had a little rust. I rolled the it over and placed it back in the solution.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-3654-1313299717439.jpg

So I left the mould in the solution overnight. This is how I just took it out.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-5073-1313299824024.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-4515-1313299785392.jpg

But the real success was in the cavities. The block looks amazing. I can't see any pitting at all.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-2671-1313299871195.jpg

This is how the worst looking block turned out. It looks fantastic.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-4500-1313299754266.jpg

After taking the pic, I put the other block, sprue plate, and hardware in the solution. I coated the first block with Kroil.

From my experience, I would absolutely recommend this product. I believe it cost around $7.00 at O'Reiley's Auto Parts. Use was absolutely simple: Put the product in the solution overnight, rinse the next day, and coat in oil. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

[jameslovesjammie]

Forgot to add this pic of the back sides of the moulds.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/Casting%20Stuff/Evapo-Rust/photobucket-5344-1313300058773.jpg

[Southern Son]

Are you going to blue the mould to (hopefully) stop it rusting again?

[Iron Mike Golf]

I did the same to some rusty molds I got at a flea market. I hit mine with some Brownell's 44/40 cold blue. I do like Evapo-Rust.

I think next time, I might try "hot plate bluing".

[zomby woof]

Very nice. Where does one find evap-o-rust?

[Iron Mike Golf]

Where I live, I can get it at Auto-Zone and Harbor Feight.

[zuke]

I'll have to see if I can find it here in Canada.

[cajun shooter]

Evapo-Rust was purchased by me about 18 months ago from Midway in a gallon bottle. The price they quote is 18.99 now and I think I paid about $12 so it has increased. If Jamie purchased it for such a low price then I would go there. You might want to check Wally World also.
I have yet found anything that it fails to work on. I purchased some old rusted tools at a garage sale and they look like new now.
I will give you a warning about this great product though. It removes bluing from guns very fast. I have a High Standard 22 magnum derringer and it had rust on the end of the barrels. I put some light wire around the grip and inserted the gun to where it was just touching. I went into the house and returned about 15 minutes later to find my gun all the way into the Evapo-Rust. When I removed it, the bluing was gone on any part that was in the chemical.
A very stupid mistake on my part as the rust that was there could have been removed with Kroil and some 0000 steel wool. I was playing with a new product and it showed me why I should not have done it.

[Dframe]

Those results look great. Gonna have to try that procuct

[thehouseproduct]

If you search Lachmiller in the reloading section, there is a thread where I did some hot blue using walmart chemicals.

[JJC]

Sounds like a good product to have on hand

[Shooter6br]

Where is the thread on hot blue ? i like cheap do it yourself projects. I have a formula on blacking used Lye and nitrogen plant fertilizer

[jameslovesjammie]

Are you going to blue the mould to (hopefully) stop it rusting again?

For now I just coated it in Kroil. I did buy a Birchwood Casey Cold Blue Kit to do the mould in but will wait to do so until I have both blocks and sprue plate done.

[jameslovesjammie]

Where is the thread on hot blue ? i like cheap do it yourself projects. I have a formula on blacking used Lye and nitrogen plant fertilizer

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=113049&highlight=lachmiller

Looks like I may give this a try instead. Thanks for the tip TheHouseProduct!

[jameslovesjammie]

Evapo-Rust was purchased by me about 18 months ago from Midway in a gallon bottle. The price they quote is 18.99 now and I think I paid about $12 so it has increased. If Jamie purchased it for such a low price then I would go there. You might want to check Wally World also.

This is only a 32 oz bottle, so your gallon price is still better. I got mine at O'Reiley's Auto Parts, but I would wager you could find it at Napa too. I didn't see it at our Walmart.

[429421Cowboy]

Ok i was just forced to spend a night in my truck near Bismark last week due to the flooding causing the motels to be booked and i'd challenge anybody to tell me that it wasn't humid that night! That is an amazing product, i'll have too look onto it for general use as well.

[BigRix]

I tried Evapo-Rust on my new mold seen in this thread
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=123965
and it worked great.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss208/BigRix/Casting/b057c683.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss208/BigRix/Casting/11f25709.jpg

The blue color returned when I started casting. I'm not sure actual Bluing would be necessary.

[lbaize3]

Thanks for the heads up, guys. Evapo-rust is now on the shopping list. Lord knows it will come in handy on this hot and humid Southeast Texas coastal area.

[Old Caster]

I wouldn't waste any time bluing the mold because as said above it will turn blue the next time it is used, however this really doesn't make it rust proof. If you want a good blue job for your pistol, use Belgian Blue from Brownells. All that is needed is a pot big enough to boil water in that will also hold the metal you want to blue. It can even be done on the stove indoors and is the same blue that was used for years for double barrel shotguns because the other type of bluing would ruin the lead solder joint that held the barrels together.

[Ziptar]

Is Evapo-Rust a phosphoric acid based rust converter?

I just stripped and painted the floor pans in my car.

I had a spots were surface rust had started from years of moisture trapped beneath the padding and carpet.

I found Kleen-Strip Prep and Etch for $16.00 a gallon at my local home depot, http://www.homedepot.com/buy/cleaning/removers-thinners/klean-strip/1-gallon-phosphoric-prep-and-etch-68294.html

I sprayed the stripped metal down and left it overnight.

It did an excellent job of both converting the rust and pickeling the bare steel.

Another product is called Ospho but, I've yet to find it locally though. I did read somewhere a while back that the Kleen-Strip is Ospho in a re-labelled jug.

[Iron Mike Golf]

Is Evapo-Rust a phosphoric acid based rust converter?...

No. It is waterbased and uses some sort of synthetic molecult to pull the iron out of rust. The iron there is weakly held, but the iron in the underlying steel is more stongly held. Evapo-Rust won't pull the oron out of un-corroded steel. So it just pulls off the rust. You do need to oil or wax right away after treatment.

It works better when warmer. Manufacturer recommends 60 degrees or warmer. Pour the solution back into the jug after treating. A gal wll treat for a long time. Pitch it when it no longer will pull off the rust.

I use it indoors. No fumes or hazmat aspect.

[Ziptar]

Thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye out for it and add it to my rust fighting arsenal.

[mpmarty]

That's why I only use Aluminum molds.

[Dale53]

Don't worry about re-bluing your moulds. Bluing is a form of rust. Bluing gives very little if any rust protection.

I store my moulds in a cabinet in my basement. I have central air and the whole house is low humidity. I get NO rusting whatsoever. However, if that is not possible for any of you, then storing the moulds in a GI ammo can with VIP paper or powder will protect them without causing "fill out" problems when you try to cast.

FWIW
Dale53

[michiganvet]

At NAPA I got a product which also has a permatex logo called RUST DISSOLVER GEL that you apply just to the rusty area. I haven't used it yet, brush on liberally, leave on 5-10 minutes, wash or rinse off with fresh water. $8.15 for a pint.

[zuke]

I picked up a liter container for $9.99 at Canadian Tire today

[cajun shooter]

I rechecked the Midway price on Evapo-Rust and it is now selling for $19.99 a gallon. Let me add this info If I may. On a lot of products that I have used it on, the residue is very light and the chemical is still clean looking. I pour this into another old bottle and use it over and it works just as well the second time. So if you want to be a bit frugal with this product ,you may.

[bxchef29]

nice results, does it work on rusty gun parts?

[jameslovesjammie]

nice results, does it work on rusty gun parts?

It will but it will also strip any bluing off.

[bxchef29]

ok , thanks

[wgr]

bet that would work wonders on a black powder barrel thats rusted

[zuke]

Anyone have a rusted out/garbage barrel to pour it into?

[The Virginian]

Yes, this stuff works great on guns and parts. I have done total restorations using this product and afterwards, polished and Belgian Blued or Rust blued the parts to complete satidfaction.

[longbow]

Not sure exactly what Evapo-Rust is but there are several products on the market that are phosphoric acid based. Plain old naval jelly is phosphoric acid with an adder to make it goopy and it takes off rust very well... and bluing. There are also a few rust converters you can find in auto parts stores but be careful, some of those have other additives that leave a coating on the surface. Some even contain a primer base that remains as a coating and you don't want that on your mould!

You shouldn't need to re-blue your moulds though it won't hurt. They should regain a heat blue when you cast a few times especially if you run them hot.

I make moulds of plain carbon steel and do not bother to blue them as they take on a heat blue during use.

I also oil my moulds after use. I live in a fairly dry environment but have always oiled my moulds especially when they are to be put away for a while. While my brass and aluminum moulds don't need, oil the steel sprue plates do so they get a drop underneath and a wipe on top.

Longbow

[williamwaco]

That is good results.

I have never used it but I use CLR for the same purpose and it works the same.

If you can't find EvapoRust, ask for CLR ( Calcium, Lime, Rust remover ) I get it at Lowes.

[Sonnypie]

From Amazon: (http://www.amazon.com/Evapo-Rust-Rust-Remover-1-Gal/dp/B001BO1DGY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316977949&sr=8-2)

Product Description
Environmentally-safe water-based product that removes rust in minutes, without scrubbing. Non-toxic, non-corrosive, safe on skin. No fumes or bad odors, non-flammable, no VOCs. Biodegradable, water soluble, can be disposed of safely into sewer. Will not affect plastic, PVC, Viton and most paints. One gallon de-rusts up to 300 pounds of heavily rusted steel. Immerse the rusty object in the solution and leave it for 10 minutes for light rust or up to overnight for extremely heavy rust. Made in the USA.

Midway: (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=184160)
This high-quality blue and rust remover is non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, biodegradable and safe to use in the home. There are no offensive odors and the product is reusable. Cleans approximately 300 lbs of rusted material. 1 gallon liquid.

Looks like good stuff especially for the inside of steel/iron molds. I like the ease of disposal.
Anybody ever use it in a wipe-on type application? (As opposed to soak)
Might be good to have around on general purposes. :idea:

[leadbutt]

does this stuff work on die sets as well?

[Bambeno]

It will work on any rusted metal.

[John Boy]

Are you going to blue the mould to (hopefully) stop it rusting again? James, if you do blue the mold ... do not blue the cavities.
Dan Theodore, a long term gun crank did a test removing the mold bluing - reblue and remove again. Bullets had less distinctive cutter marks from the cherry and they gravity dropped more consistently. I tried Dan's procedure on a Lyman mold and was pleased with the results

PS: Thanks for your pictures and results with Evapo-Rust. Have a jug and never tried it. Guess I better find something rusty!

[Leadlum]

That is some amazing stuff !!!!

[MikeS]

Sonny: Evapo-Rust doesn't work well in a wipe on type application. But when used the way it's designed to be used, it works really well! I've bought moulds that were rusted, and from the outside looked like basket cases, and after soaking them in Evapo-Rust overnight they look great! Of course if the rusted item has pits, then after soaking they'll have rust free pits! I have a few of the Redding made SAECO moulds, and the blocks are a brownish color, and a while ago I was looking at one of them, and thought I saw some surface rust on it, so I soaked the blocks in Evapo-Rust for a couple of hours, and it turns out that it didn't have any rust on it, but now along with no rust, there's no brownish color either! I had thought that color was from the copper in their supposedly special alloy, but it's just a surface finish.

Now I try to always have some Evapo-Rust on hand, just like I always like to have WD-40, and LLA. (I use the LLA for it's original purpose, as a rust preventative) One of the nice things about Evapo-Rust is that it won't attack paints, rubber, wood, etc. so if you have a tool that's rusty, and it has rubber handles (like the dip on stuff) you can soak it, and not worry about the handle material, I don't think you could do that with most other rust removers.