Rust Removal & Rebuild (Pedal Assembly)

[mymachone]

My car is an automatic but I have acquired a set of manual pedals from a wreck coupe. The pedal assembly took some damage but worse was wore completely through the aluminum bushings. I have plans to rebuild this pedal assembly (with sealed bearings) and plan to document my progress.

Step one was clean up. This is an amazing step. I have submerged the pedal assemblies in 100% white vinegar, sprayed them off with water and then bathed them with a spray of brake cleaner (Acetone). The vinegar will eat the aluminum bushing (but mine is bad).

If you have submersible parts this is an effective, clean and easy method of clean up. You will be amazed.

Steve , did you use the brand name stuff or just what ever you could buy cheap ? The reason i ask is I bought some at a discount store and it seems to work but only if I wire brush it after it's soaked for a while , like 3-4 days. Maybe the stuff I have is not 100 % white viniger ?

[Steven Harris]

My first gallon was Walmart distilled white vinegar (US $2.38). The second gallon I picked up here locally (I live in Mexico MX $25.00). I mixed the two and both worked great - no wire brushing. I cleaned (settled and strained) what was left and have stored it. Yesterday I started soaking a new batch of bolts and there was a head of foam and crud on it by last night.

Sorry to hear your vingar soak wasn't as succussful. Mine was amazing.

[mymachone]

Steve
Well I found out there is a differance in the quality of Vineger.
I just bought a 1/2 gal of brand name stuff and it did in 12 hrs what the other stuff has yet to do in almost 2 wks, Not sure why there is that big differance but that says a lot about quality .

I also tested a paint removal product and same results.
Ezzy off oven cleaner the brand will actualy remove paint from your parts , I bought the dollar store stuff and not good results , just bought the brand named stuff and over nite it worked.

So there is a hugh differance when it comes to the brand name oppossed to off brand stuff.

[Steven Harris]

Thanks for the input.

I have experienced that with paint stripper. I purchased some here in Mexico and it would instantly remove the paint. I told my son in Ohio to use it on his Maverick and he said it was useless. When I was back in Ohio I also tried with some local hardware paint stripper and he was right - totally useless.

Of course Mexico does not have the EPA "limitations" that the U.S. has. The stuff I bought here they gave me in a plain potato salad dish. I think it should of had an "Extreme Danger", skull and crossbones, "POISON" and maybe even a nuclear warning on it but it sure did work. It was also instant pain on bare skin. But it sure did work!

[keith1562]

Interesting process, when appropriate I'll give it a try. Looks easier than using my blast cabinet.
thanks for the info.,
Keith

[BLACK JADE 69]

I HAD AN OLD TOO BOX THAT GOT WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF IT AND RUSTED ALL OF THE WRENCHES. TOOK THE TOOLS OUT AND PUT THEM IN A 5 GALLON BUCKET, FILLED TO THE TOP OF THE TOOLS WITH SOME EXTREMELY OLD WALMART WHITE DISTILED VINEGAR AND DUMPED ENOUGH IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TOOL BOX TO COVER THE RUST. SOAKED FOR 24 HOURS. WENT TO DUMP THE TOOL BOX OUT AND THE RUST CAME WITH IT. LITTLE SPRAY WITH THE BRAKELEEN, WIPED WITH WAX AND GREASE REMOVER AND PAINTED IT. HARDLY EVEN HAD TO SPRAY THE TOOLS TO CLEAN THEM OFF. WORKED LIKE A CHARM, WISHED I WOULD HAVE TAKEN PICTURES. ONCE AGAIN A BIG THANK YOU TO STEVEN FOR THE AWESOME TIP. I WONDER HOW THIS WOULD DO ON RUSTY CHROME

[mymachone]

I sure am not having the kind of success you guys are having , maybe Mich rust is tougher , who knows. Maybe the stuff needs to be warm , mine is out in a cold garage . any ideas ?

[Steven Harris]

Have you tried a different quality of vinegar? Maybe as Mymachone discovered it'll make a difference. All I can say is mine was amazing.

Hopefully you'll find one that works for you.

[mymachone]

Well Steve , I tryed the brand name stuff with limited results. So , I bought a Vibrator / Tumbler on EBay for $78.00. put it to use right away and it was only Hrs later , I had derusted nuts / bolts and washers. It also removed the paint. I can also polish them with a differant product if I wanted too.
I think for me this is a much better way to go , I intend to restore a truck and a motor cycle and another vehical if Jesus doesn't come back before that .

[Steven Harris]

Hard to believe the trumpet hasn't sounded.


I was going to purchase a tumbler but they were out of stock when I was in the U.S. No doubt that would be the cat's meow for bolts and so forth. Glad to hear it worked for you.

Depending on the part, I use the best method applicable. Options are good.