Thread: Great way to remove rust

A piece of copper sheet, roughly 11 gauge or a little thicker, is a great way to remove rust.

Another hobby of mine is restoring civil war era guns. I was fortunate to be able to learn some restoration techniques from a firearms museum curator.

Copper is softer than steel but harder than rust. It will leave copper color on the razor, though that will come off. A light touch is critical as you get closer to the edge of the blade, though a light touch is all that is ever needed. I've never had it scratch steel.

i will try to remember that, not restoring razors, but i could often use that idea. thank you


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Another tip that I picked up on cleaning rust was to wet a piece of crumpled up aluminum foil, but I keep forgetting about it when I need to remove rust. Now if I can just remember both these tips....................

this brings to mind, What is the best way to remove rust when it is on the etching without removing any etching?

How about a copper wire brush?

Originally Posted by Addison

this brings to mind, What is the best way to remove rust when it is on the etching without removing any etching?

With both methods the media being used (copper/aluminum) are softer than steel but harder than rust. If memory serves me correctly, the water & aluminum creates a chemical reaction on the rust. So, with that in mind either method 'should' have no effect on the etching. I have not personally tried either but it makes sense.

ive found that a copper wire brush works well. it does/will leave the copper color behind though. nothing a quick buffing cant remove though.

A regular graphite pencil also works well and is very handy for getting into tight spaces. Can't speak to what it does to etching though.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

Another tip that I picked up on cleaning rust was to wet a piece of crumpled up aluminum foil, but I keep forgetting about it when I need to remove rust. Now if I can just remember both these tips....................

Although aluminum is soft, the surface of the foil oxidizes to form layer of aluminum oxide which is the abrasive used in most synthetic waterstones, so be careful using it on your razor.