Removing Rust from Metal and Concrete

Filed under: Exteriors & Facades, Patios, Porches & Decks, Essential Skills, Know-How, Outdoors

You don't have to live with those reddish brown stains on your furniture and patio. Removing rust from metal and concrete is easier than you think.

Flickr, Angela Schmeidel Randall

With temperatures rising, the last of winter's snow is (finally) melting away. If you have metal furniture or a concrete patio, his thawing may reveal an unwelcome surprise: rust.

It's hard to avoid rust. It naturally forms on metal when oxygen and moisture combine with metal over a long period of time -- such as a wet winter. It turns into an oxide, which we call rust. Over time, rust can corrode metal, so it's important to scrub off this surface substance asap.

We scouted out solutions for removing rust now to prep your outdoor space for summer living.

Removing rust from metal: With a little power from your drill and 3M's Paint & Rust Stripper, you can remove rust from metals (without damaging the surface.) The 3M disc is made of synthetic webbing that cleans rusty surfaces with ease.

Removing rust from metal furniture with enamel finish: Super Iron Out made it onto Martha Stewart's list of fave spring cleaning tools. This chemical solution touts its removal strength on many surfaces, including porcelain and enamel metal.

Removing rust from concrete: You'll find a number of chemical rust removers on the market, but there's actually a homemade pantry solution you may want to try first. Simply pour vinegar on the rust, let it sit and do its work, and then scrub with a stiff brush.

Tip: Chlorine bleach is not a solution for rust stains. In fact, bleach will only make the problem worse.

For more tips, check out our guide for how to prep your outdoor furniture for spring.

If you have heavy rust damage to your metal furniture, it may require repair in addition to cleaning. In the video below, Ask the Builder expert Tim Carter guides you through removing rust and using rust-inhibitive primer to cover up the remnants and prevent future rust buildup. Sure, rust can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked, but we're always surprised at just how simple it is to remedy rust.

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/03/09/removing-rust/

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