Evapo-Rust Damage

[Vtgw938]

FYI:

I've used Evapo-Rust and Metal Rescue with great success but accidently discovered something. I prefer Metal Rescue and have noted that Evapo-Rust is stronger, but can't find it locally so have grabbed Evapo-Rust lately.

I have a project in the works and wanted to practice some cold bluing so stuck a 28-2 barrel in a partially filled container of straight Evapo-Rust to remove the bluing, some original some prior cold blue experiments. Planned on removing it occassionally and rubbing it down with scotch-brite but I forgot about it and it sat in the fluid for close to a week. When I pulled it out it had an etched like line around the barrel where the surface of the liquid was. There is a very noticeable cut in the metal. I have since submerged the whole barrel removing most of the blueing but you can see the damage. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation.

I may have to get some Metal Rescue to see if it will do the same thing.

 

[wagwan]

I have no explanation but thanks for posting this. I will be much more careful in future!

 

[Rn37]

Is there an edge that you can feel?

 

[Vtgw938]

Maybe because of the oxygen at the surface or the steel was literally derusting and rusting in a continuous cycle rightat the surface. I had the container covered as well so that might have a hand in it.

 

[Vtgw938]

It is not a mark but a cut in the metal. You can feel it with your finger. Eroded the metal right at the liquid level mark.

 

[chief38]

Sorry to see this. I'd say at this point you would have no choice but to mechanically even the entire barrel out with sandpaper, Scotch-brite pads and then polish it. If careful you can probably preserve most the roll marks. You have a lot of damage on the barrel and rib anyway that would have to be sanded out as well, so I don't believe there is another way to approach this. As long as the line on the barrel that the Evapo-Rust left isn't too deep you should be able to bring it back.

Now..... as far as the integrity of the barrel goes - that I am not sure of. You might ask Steelslaver here on the Forum that question as he is much better acquainted with metal strengths than I am. I know that some materials such as glass or acrylic can break at a scratch mark or cut as the cut weakens the structure a bit. I can not tell how deep the cut goes from the pictures. If it is just around 0.002" - 0.005" I'd say you should be ok. If it is more like 0.010" or greater, I'd think you must sand it out or fill weld it - again I am not a Metallurgist but I'd recommend finding out.

Welding the cut and refinishing might be another option but again, you would have to consult someone more knowledgable in this area than I. Replacing the barrel would obviously be the last option, but a viable one.

 

[Yankeetom]

I have no explanation but thanks for posting this. I will be much more careful in future!

Have you looked in the bore with a bore scope?

 

[gwpercle]

After a week ... the evapo-rust just ate a layer of metal away ...
it is a Acid ... I don't know of any way to fix it ... what does the insides of the barrel look like ? That's the part that might be ... Toast !
Gary

 

[2152hq]

EvapoRust is Ph neutral. It works by chelation (sp).
Not a chemist so I really don't know the process, but from what I understand it has a chemical that attaches (molecules) to the iron in iron oxide and removes it from the surfaces of steel.
It (supposedly) can't remove any iron content from steel itself as it's too securely held in the alloy itself.

Their ingredient to make this all work is propietary, but from reading into it a bit, there is a sulfer compound in it that then pulls the iron oxide from the mystery ingredient that actually does the work of removing the rust. That leaves the mystery ingredient to keep working.
The sulfur compound forms Iron Sulfate with the iron oxide that it pulls out of the mystery ingredient.

That's all I know with the help of Mr Google.
maybe the Iron Sulfate is the problem (?). I do know they make sulfuric acid by using Iron Sulfate somehow..

 

[Vtgw938]

The barrel is for practice, experimentation etc. so nothing lost there. As 215hq said, it supposedly is not an acid. Some how must have created a cycle of rust than removal, over and over again at the surface. I'm sure no damage to the metal that was submerged.

 

[Jimbo41]

I’ve never seen that before, now I’m trying to think of ways to use it creatively.

If all you’re doing is removing bluing, vinegar is cheap.

 

[Bob Matzka]

FYI:

I've used Evapo-Rust and Metal Rescue with great success but accidently discovered something. I prefer Metal Rescue and have noted that Evapo-Rust is stronger, but can't find it locally so have grabbed Evapo-Rust lately.

I have a project in the works and wanted to practice some cold bluing so stuck a 28-2 barrel in a partially filled container of straight Evapo-Rust to remove the bluing, some original some prior cold blue experiments. Planned on removing it occassionally and rubbing it down with scotch-brite but I forgot about it and it sat in the fluid for close to a week. When I pulled it out it had an etched like line around the barrel where the surface of the liquid was. There is a very noticeable cut in the metal. I have since submerged the whole barrel removing most of the blueing but you can see the damage. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation.

I may have to get some Metal Rescue to see if it will do the same thing.

This is a common problem in liquid storage tanks. It is caused by moisture in the air above the liquid level that reacts with the liquid forming a corrosive layer that eats into the tank wall. Mainly an issue when the liquid level is static for extended periods. For storage tanks we proviide a source of dry air or inert gas to pad the area above the liquid. As you found, in your case, full immersion solved the problem.

 

[CalifEd]

Contact the manufacturer and tell/show them what you did.
Ask for one of their specialists to review this and get back to you with an explanation.
Don't rant, rave or threaten them but ask that someone get back to you so you can pass it on to the other gun enthusiast you know.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Contact the manufacturer and tell/show them what you did.
Ask for one of their specialists to review this and get back to you with an explanation.
Don't rant, rave or threaten them but ask that someone get back to you so you can pass it on to the other gun enthusiast you know.

The instructions for the product specify fully submerge, rinse because residual can rust.

A week partially submerged.

You get out what you put in.

And to the OP, thanks for the heads up on what not to do with it.

 

[Warren Sear]

When all else fails, read AND FOLLOW the directions.

There is no need to contact the company. The fault lies directly with the OP not following directions.

 

[DT75]

Have you looked in the bore with a bore scope?

... what does the insides of the barrel look like ? That's the part that might be ... Toast !

This has not been answered yet. Is there a similarly etched line inside of the barrel?

Curious minds would like to know...

 

[Vtgw938]

Yes, etched in the bore as well. Moral to the story is keep item submerged and don't forget about it.