What is a good solution for dissolving rust or corrosion?

if you don't have any of that fancy stuff try pouring you coca-cola on it does wondersAnswer

Light rust can be removed with Naval Jelly (avalible at hardware stores) and a scotchbrite pad. Remember to put on a rust resistant coating (WD-40, Paint, etc.) or it will rust again very quickly. Heavy rust will require a wire brush attached to a grinder.

Answer

Wal-mart sells a product called Rust Converter in a spray can. Clean the loose rust with a wire brush, wipe the surface with a damp cloth or sponge and spray the rust converter like you would a spray paint. Product goes on clear and will turn into a black primer when dry. Works on the theory that when bare metal gets wet, the electrons are "shorted out' and effectively reversed. This allows for oxydization and rust. The Rust Converter will re-reverse the positive and negative electrons while simulateously sealing the metal from future moisture contact. Very effective. (finish with the final coat of paint in your choice of colors).

Answer

Here's how the Rust Converter at WallyWorld works.
I am quoting from a MasSciNetwork forum and adding the Related Lins

The reason why rusting is such a problem with iron and steel is that the oxide layer that forms does not adhere to the underlying metal, but powders or flakes off, leaving fresh metal surfaces exposed. Aluminium, which is a much more reactive metal than iron, does not corrode because the oxide layer that forms rapidly on an aluminium surface adheres closely to the underlying metal, and prevents further access of oxygen or other environmental oxidants.

Rust converter products are usually based on phosphoric acid; there are other additives as well to aid with flow and adhesion. The black coating that forms is hard, insoluble, ferric phosphate:

Fe2O3 + 2 H3PO4 ----> 2 FePO4 + 3 H2O

Unlike ferric oxide, ferric phosphate does adhere closely to the underlying metal, and protect against further access of oxygen or oxidants.

In using these products, it is usually best to clean the rust layer back to a fine powdery covering over the surface. The phosphate layer that forms in the presence of bare metal, or of sizeable rust flakes, is not usually quite so well-formed and effective.

I have found rust converters work for only a short time, i would advise small area sand blasting you can buy the tool from d.i.y. shops, they run off a small compressor

First answer by Roland Ham. Last edit by Bigman1. Contributor trust: 37 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 165 [recommend question]