I found a horse shoe on a beach in Mexico. It is very rusted. What should I do?

[knucks999]

The rust is very thick and it is red. I have zero experience with this, so any suggestions or things to read would be great. Thanks for everyone's help! Sorry, I can't post a picture right now.

[EDDE]

dont drink the water

[knucks999]

Thanks for that. I probably should have specified, I would like to remove the rust to see what is beneath it. Any help?

[TreasureTales]

Get out of Mexico while you still have your wallet.

[Sandman]

Try electrolysis. The subject is to large to include how-to here. Applications of Naval Jelly works too.

Sandman

[TreasureTales]

Of course Sandman is absolutely correct...try electrolysis. There are many versions of an electrolysis bath and they have been innumerated on this forum. Look through the topics discussed in this category (Cleaning & Preservation) and you'll see what I'm talking about. Before you begin the electrolysis bath, you may want to brush off as much rust as possible--without actually getting down to the stable (iron) portion of the horseshoe. Removing some of the rust with a wire brush will give you an idea of how deep the rust goes, it will shorten the time necessary in the bath, and it will give you an idea as to the salvagability of the horseshoe. Something as mundane as a horeshoe may not be worth the effort. But that is a call you'll have to make.

[divedigger]

your horse shoe will fall apart if you don't get the salt out of it.Easy way is to remove as much rust as you can,a ball peen hammer will work,a wire brush will take days,and it has to stay wet untill the salt comes out,to get the salt out,get a 1 amp battery charger,hook the ground to the shoe,the positive to a piece of steel,stainless if you can get it,drop in a bucket of water with a spoon full of sodium hydroxide(drain cleaner,lye),put the charger on 6 volts.Look for small bubbles.It is best to wrap wire around your shoe and keep the copper clamps out of the solution.Change the water after the first week and every 3-4 weeks after,cleaning your anode and shoe each time until there is no more sign of action in the tub,somewhere around a year from now.When that is done,clean very thoroughly and dry out,coat with clear satin polyurethane and display proudly.