rust

[kevin]

I LEFT MY CO PILOT CLIPPED TO MY FENCE IT WAS LEFT OUT IN THE WEATHER FOR 1 MOS. IT IS ONE OF YOUR FIRST KNIVES WITH PAT. PEND. ON IT AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE BRASS IN BETWEEN THE STAINLESS STEEL. HOW CAN I REMOVE THE SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE BLADE AND HANDLE I HAVE TRIED SOAKING IT IN 3IN1 OIL AND LIQUID WRENCH TO NO AVAIL. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

[cutler34]

I use a polish called autosol on knives where the finish is important to me.On others I use either steel wool or a rust eraser from United Cutlery.Hopefully others here may have better ways.

Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
Spyderco Club Member

[Dutch]

Try lightly wire brushing the rust untill it comes off. Its worked for me.

[kevin]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH CUTLER34 AND DUTCH . THE INFO YOU BOTH GAVE ME IS VERY USEFUL. THE KNIFE MEANS ALOT TO ME AND DID NOT WANT TO DESTROY IT OVER A LITTLE RUST. I LIVE IN THE USA,CALIFORNIA AND AM SURE I CAN PROBABLY GET SOME TYPE OF KNIFE POLISH AND OR STEEL WOOL MUCH THANKS KEVIN

[bad4u]

The best rust remover I've found is a metal polish with the brand name Tarnite. There are probably rust-removers just as good by other brand name - but read the 'ingredients' before buying.

The active ingredient you want is OXALIC ACID. Oxalic acid combines with oxides, essentially dissolving rust without having to remove metal by sanding or polishing.

My can of Tarnite cost about $3.00 for a 9 ounce tin. That's probably a lifetime supply.

[sal]

Hi Kevin & Bad4u. Welcpome to the forum.

I've also used pencil erasers with some success on light rust. the brass liner CoPilot is certainly from many years ago. Hope it cleans up OK.

sal