New use for Potatoes

[froglips]

I caught a video by Nick Engler over at the Shopsmith Hands-On site.

Well, being one willing to try anything, I did.

Potatoes will remove rust. Be ready to be amazed!

Deal is, cut up some potatoes and fill a vat with water. Enough to cover the rusted part.

After about 2 weeks, you can remove the part and it will be ready to go.

Much like electrolysis, this process turns the metal black (oxidizes?). Mainly the rust.

Scrub, buff, polish etc, the rust will wipe off.

One warning, it smells really awful. From my usual lack of the obvious, I did it indoors. Big mistake

Also, I'd highly recommend wearing gloves. The potato water can make your hands reek. I ended up having to bleach my hands to get the smell out.

Oh, also, don't put anything with wood. I tried a meat cleaver that now needs a new handle. Lesson learned, I proped a chisel so the handle was above the water line.

Jim

[JackLeg]

Taters! Who'd a thunk it??!!

Who knew?

Hmm,

[Sealeveler]

That's a new one to me.Tony

[froglips]

Here is the link to the video.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips...st_Removal.htm

Oh, also, don't try to eat dem taters after you are done :-p

Jim

[Ken Massingale]

Originally Posted by froglips

Here is the link to the video.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips...st_Removal.htm

Oh, also, don't try to eat dem taters after you are done :-p

Jim

That's heresy making taters so you cant eatum!!!

[Takarin]

I would have never thought that would work!

Although... after reading about the smell and time involved, I might just go buy some Evapo-Rust and call it even.

[Mike Davis]

Wouldn't Red Devil Lye do the same? Or is it too strong?

I'd rather eat the potatoes and sand off the rust.

[ebrant]

Oddly enough, a dilute solution of molasses and water will do the same. Lots of clean up after but it puts a rather attractive brown sheen on the steel. Lots of work to polish up to bright steel, though.

[froglips]

Wow, I'll giver a try. I bet it beats the stink of rotted potatoes.

Jim