Found a Rusty Sign Today. Cleaning Advice Appreciated!

[FreeBirdTim]

Found an old metal sign today. It's very solid and heavy, but rusty as heck! I had to wet the sign just so I could read it. Is there any hope for it? Any cleaning advice would be appreciated.

 

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[SFHunter]

Cool Sign, goto harward store and get oxalic acid, its a wood bleach, that will remove rust without harming the metal or paint. I use it all the time on old beer cans and license plates. Just mix it into water and insert the sign. Here is a link about that. Oxalic Acid. Removing rust from Chrome the very best way! - VintageBMX.com

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Another method that works well for old beer cans... Citric acid... Cleaning Cans

 

[PeteWmass]

no no no - don't use citric- too harsh - use oxalic acid - some of the can guys use citric -but - I find oxalic acid to be as effective on rust - without eating the paint!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I've used citric acid on cone top beer cans, but you have to watch them closely or you can trash them. I'm just not sure if the sign can take a bath in either citric or oxalic acid. The metal is very thick, but it may be a hand painted sign that won't hold up to any acid bath. Kind of looks like it was stenciled onto the metal. I'll think about it for a day or two and them decide what to do. Thanks for the help!

 

[PeteWmass]

that is why I thought to use oxalic - citric is ok in some cleaning situations - heavily encrusted iron/etc - but it can weaken paint oxalic acid won't remove that paint/writing - Im fairly certain - if you have difficulty finding it (probably easier online) - try some hardware stores and ask for "deck wash" or "wood bleach" - that works sometimes......