Molasses is thick syrup that's created when cane and beet sugars are processed that's been used as a sweetener and for medicinal purposes for centuries. It's also an effective treatment for rust when mixed with water because the solution creates acetic acid. Soaking rusty pieces of metal in a molasses and water bath allows the mixture to penetrate cracks and crevices that can't be accessed with scraping tools or sandpaper. This is an easy but time-consuming process.
Instructions
1. Add 2 quarts of molasses to 7 quarts of water in a plastic bucket. Stir and cover the bucket loosely.
2. Let the mixture sit for about three weeks and then peel off the skin. Use tongs and wear rubber gloves as well as goggles when working with the mixture.
3. Immerse the rusty item in the mixture, replace the cover loosely and leave it for two weeks.
4. Remove the item, again using tongs and wearing rubber gloves and goggles. Rinse under hot running water. Use a stiff brush to scrub off the molasses mixture and loosened rust.
5. Dry the item thoroughly and treat it with rust converter as soon as it's dry to prevent new rust from forming.
6. Paint or oil the item depending on its use.
Tips Warnings
Rust converter creates a black protective coating from the rust.
Keep the same proportions of molasses to water if you need to increase the amount to treat larger items.
The mixture can be used more than once, and will keep up to six months.
