So, if you ask me, the myth is busted. Coke does not seem to be a good rust remover and if there will be coming up some future jobs in this field I will definitely switch to pro-products again for sure.
The steps for using Coke to remove rust are similar to removing rust with vinegar: leave to soak, scrub and rinse. Instead of soaking for three days, Coke only needs 24 hours. If you have items which cannot be soaked, such as taps, motorcycle parts and more, simply dip aluminium foil into Coke and scrub the rust away.
Ernst Erbe — an El Paso, Texas, reader reminds us that that cola can be a quick substitute for penetrating oil when you've got a rusted nut and bolt. Just soak the parts in the soda overnight, and the next day they'll come right apart, just as if they'd been soaking in the real thing.
A cheap spray bottle (you probably have an empty one laying around). In this bottle mix a 50/50 mix of 100% acetone and dextron/mercron automatic transmission fluid. The two fluids will separate like oil and vinegar so you have to shake the bottle well before spraying.
For stubborn rust, citric acid may be the way to go. Make a paste using two parts baking soda and one part lemon juice, and then apply the paste to the rusty area using a sponge and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. Use a brush or steel wool to scrub away the rust from the metal.
Applying vinegar to rust dissolves the oxide and leaves behind a water-soluble salt that you can remove easily. It is called neutralisation, and this reaction happens between rust and acetic acid, which is why cleaning vinegar helps remove iron oxides from household surfaces and objects.
WD-40 Specialist ® Rust Remover Soak
To remove light rust, leave parts in the solution for 1-3 hours. To remove heavy rust, leave parts in the rust removal solution overnight. Do not use on parts that have bluing, browning or protective oxide paints, as those protective coatings would be removed.
USE A PAIR OF HAMMERS
Sometimes if a bolt is particularly stubborn, using a pair of hammers can help loosen the nut so you can remove it with a wrench. Hold the hammer against one of the flat sides of the nut – note, holding it against a corner will damage the nut – and hit the opposite side with the second hammer.
Try a Basin Wrench
“A basin wrench is a great tool for reaching in tight spaces to loosen a nut,” he says. While they're primarily used by plumbers, they can also be used on any hard-to-reach nut.
Coca‑Cola can help clean rust or corrosion, because it contains phosphoric acid, an edible food acid found in lots of foods and drinks.
Make your own spray – Try a half-and-half mixture of acetone and transmission fluid. If you don't have those, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, white vinegar, baking soda and even cola are all good at dissolving rust. If you've used something like cola to clean your rust, give your fasteners an extra clean afterwards.
A common method of dealing with rusted screws and bolts implies removing them from their sockets and leaving them to soak in a hydrogen peroxide solution overnight. Hydrogen peroxide is known to dissolve accumulated rust from metal surfaces and can even break up the entire tarnish in some cases.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Dawn dish soap can help clean metal surfaces but is not specifically designed to remove rust. You'll need a more potent agent like vinegar or a commercial rust remover for rust removal.
Tools that are too large to fit in a container can be wrapped in a cloth soaked with vinegar and sprinkled with salt, then put in a plastic bag. The vinegar-and-salt mixture needs time to break down the rust. This can take anywhere from one to three days. Check the tool periodically to see if the rust has softened.
Can toothpaste remove rust? While it's a handy household item that can be used to remove stains around the house, toothpaste is only capable of removing rust stains and not rust itself. It has to be mixed with baking soda in equal amounts to create a thick paste.
To clean old rusty tools with Coke, submerge the tools in a tub or bowl of Coca-Cola overnight (not sure if Diet Coke or Pepsi will work – best to stick with original Coke). If you can still see rust, leave them for a few more days.
Vinegar and Baking Powder:
Baking powder can work wonders with rust. It makes an effective paste mixed with vinegar. Rub the paste onto the rust spots and leave to work for at least 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
You simply spray it on the surface, wait around ten minutes, and scrub it off with something abrasive. Its lubricating qualities loosen the bonds between the rust and the metal surface it has adhered to. And because it's also a moisture deterrent, it offers temporary rust protection after its initial use.