Wow..surprised noone suggested Naval Jelly. Cheap and available at Walmart, Home Depot..etc etc. Can be brushed or sprayed on rust. Been around for 45 years.
Naval jelly is an often pink gel made from phosphoric acid. It is used to remove rust from metal surfaces and is most often encountered marketed as a rust remover.
Phosphoric Acid....
The main ingredient in naval jelly is phosphoric acid, more properly called orthophosphoric acid. This chemical is a relatively weak acid, often used in processed foods such as colas.
Purpose....
Naval jelly is used to dissolve rust from ferrous metals. Because it does not drip and washes off easily with the application of water, it is used on machinery and vehicles.
Chemical Mechanism....
Naval jelly converts the iron oxide rust on a ferrous surface into a black compound called ferric phosphate. Ferric phosphate does not stick to the surface and can be easily washed off.
Use....
After cleaning a surface, brush naval jelly onto the rusted area. After about 10 minutes, wash it off, leaving a clean metal surface behind.
Safety...
Phosphoric acid does pose some safety risks. Contact with skin or eyes should be avoided. However, if contact occurs, the acid can be washed off with water.
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