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Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:51 am

anyone have any ideas for a good way to remove rust from a steel vin plate without completly removing the stamped vin numbers? i tried a brass brush, but it is still really diffucult to see the numbers.
i think media blasting would be way too aggressive. ideas?

Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:42 am

It depends how bad the rust is. I would try glass blasting its one of the gentles way to blast rusted parts.

This is example of glass blasting
http://www.fvwa.sitefactory.fi/data/5392.jpg

Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:22 am

I would try like electroloysis or something of the like, maybe CLR?, something that will chemically remove the rust and not mechanically remove the rust.

My VIN in my engine compartment has been eaten away by battery acid, before I bought the Bus, long story.

Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:24 am

soak/sumberge it in lemon juice for a few days to a week.

Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:02 am

hazetguy wrote: soak/sumberge it in lemon juice for a few days to a week.

well, when life gives you lemons, soak your rusty vin plate in lemon juice :lol:

Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:22 am

I used CLR and hot water on a plate I found that was really rusty. It worked pretty well but I still couldn't read the VIN because of how light it was stamped and the subsequent rust wear.

Lemon juice... hmmm, I will try that.

Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:55 am

leave it in cola for a week

Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:01 pm

i'll give the lemon juice/clr treatments a try. thanks for the ideas. never understood why they did'nt make these plates out of aluminum like the made in western germany tags.
of course i have seen some 59-64 vin plates that had been somewhat eaten away as well.

Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:45 pm

candyman wrote: hazetguy wrote: soak/sumberge it in lemon juice for a few days to a week.

well, when life gives you lemons, soak your rusty vin plate in lemon juice :lol:

lemon juice contains citric acid which is mild and yes, it does remove rust without serious metal damage. if you buy some in the store, get as pure juice as you can, as some is slightly watered down.
you just need to be patient, as it is a slow working process.
before on left, after a couple days in lemon juice on the right.

you might also try a product called evaporust, although you usually need to buy it in 5 gallon containers.

Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:05 pm

hazetguy wrote: candyman wrote: hazetguy wrote: soak/sumberge it in lemon juice for a few days to a week.

well, when life gives you lemons, soak your rusty vin plate in lemon juice :lol:

lemon juice contains citric acid which is mild and yes, it does remove rust without serious metal damage. if you buy some in the store, get as pure juice as you can, as some is slightly watered down.
you just need to be patient, as it is a slow working process.
before on left, after a couple days in lemon juice on the right.

you might also try a product called evaporust, although you usually need to buy it in 5 gallon containers.

great info 8)

Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:05 pm

Nic B-C wrote: leave it in cola for a week

...ya then you won't have a plate left to worry about. :lol:

http://mckimsonconnection.com/CocaColaNail.htm

http://members.tripod.com/~Barefoot_Lass/cola.html

Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:07 pm

hazetguy wrote: soak/sumberge it in lemon juice for a few days to a week.

That's the coolest rust removal idea I've heard in weeks!