RenoHuskerDu Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Started stripping and cleaning this new $700 acquisition today. 1986 250 with a 6.9 and T-19. Found in a farmer's field, 85k miles on her. Rust had frozen the seat tracks but I pulled the seat and freed them up. Broke two seat bolts in the floor so I popped out the little holders that the bolts thread into. All hardware is soaking overnight in Ospho, a liquid phosphoric acid solution. I find this a miracle for rusty old hardware. After a day, it comes out dark and rust free. The dilute phosphoric acid converts ferrous oxide (Fe2O3) into ferric phosphate (FeP04), which inhibits future rust and is a good primer before painting, or even not painting. We use the heck out of Ospho here on the ranch, for gates, fence posts, bare metal flatbeds, tractor parts. I'll use Ospho on the small rust patches in the floor after pulling the carpet. But when I use Ospho as a dip to soak rusty bolts, a floating black layer of spooge always forms on the top. I wonder if we have a resident chemist who can explain that occurrence. It looks like oil, in fact it may be residual ATF from the ATF/acetone 50% mix that I use as penetrating oil. But of course AFT is bright red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlisle Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Where does one purchase Ospho? I'm replacing a lot of rusty screws, so if I had a way to refurb screws that aren't terribly damaged, that would be cool to me. Much better than having to stop and go buy more screws when I figure out what it needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Where does one purchase Ospho? I'm replacing a lot of rusty screws, so if I had a way to refurb screws that aren't terribly damaged, that would be cool to me. Much better than having to stop and go buy more screws when I figure out what it needs. Randy, Ospho is a brand name like Aspirin, Kleenex or Bandaid, that has entered the lexicon. You can find Klean-Strip "Concrete and Metal Prep" at either of the big box stores. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Concrete-and-Metal-Prep-1-GAL/1001456348?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_-133-_-thinnersandsolvents-_-1001456348-_-0&store_code=3248&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytOEBhD5ARIsANnRjVih6UAxJ-3nYGrsaGzYVPyMWUkgKUuxgaC1-DojD5V2CXprQ5gGKN8aAh63EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66gtk Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Randy, Ospho is a brand name like Aspirin, Kleenex or Bandaid, that has entered the lexicon. You can find Klean-Strip "Concrete and Metal Prep" at either of the big box stores. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Concrete-and-Metal-Prep-1-GAL/1001456348?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_-133-_-thinnersandsolvents-_-1001456348-_-0&store_code=3248&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytOEBhD5ARIsANnRjVih6UAxJ-3nYGrsaGzYVPyMWUkgKUuxgaC1-DojD5V2CXprQ5gGKN8aAh63EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Eastwood sells Fast Etch. Same thing, I think. I use it quite a bit for similar reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Randy, Ospho is a brand name like Aspirin, Kleenex or Bandaid, that has entered the lexicon. You can find Klean-Strip "Concrete and Metal Prep" at either of the big box stores. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Concrete-and-Metal-Prep-1-GAL/1001456348?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_-133-_-thinnersandsolvents-_-1001456348-_-0&store_code=3248&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytOEBhD5ARIsANnRjVih6UAxJ-3nYGrsaGzYVPyMWUkgKUuxgaC1-DojD5V2CXprQ5gGKN8aAh63EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Exactly, Jim! Use the Klean-Strip all the time. It cleans and coats.....great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenoHuskerDu Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 Randy, Ospho is a brand name like Aspirin, Kleenex or Bandaid, that has entered the lexicon. You can find Klean-Strip "Concrete and Metal Prep" at either of the big box stores. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Concrete-and-Metal-Prep-1-GAL/1001456348?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_-133-_-thinnersandsolvents-_-1001456348-_-0&store_code=3248&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytOEBhD5ARIsANnRjVih6UAxJ-3nYGrsaGzYVPyMWUkgKUuxgaC1-DojD5V2CXprQ5gGKN8aAh63EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Use caution when using rust removers. Some formulations contain hydrofluoric acid which is extremely dangerous. It can penetrate the skin, destroy bone and cause a heart attack without your knowledge. Be sure to read the label on the product you intend to buy and steer away from products that contain hydrofluoric acid. Ospho label shows none of that. Here's the MDS http://www.ospho.com/images/OSPHO%20SDS%20COLOR%202019.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Use caution when using rust removers. Some formulations contain hydrofluoric acid which is extremely dangerous. It can penetrate the skin, destroy bone and cause a heart attack without your knowledge. Be sure to read the label on the product you intend to buy and steer away from products that contain hydrofluoric acid. Ospho label shows none of that. Here's the MDS http://www.ospho.com/images/OSPHO%20SDS%20COLOR%202019.pdf I haven't seen hydrofluoric acid in consumer products except ones meant to etch glass. We get tankers of it at the water treatment plant because they can counter the base of hypochlorite and add fluoride at the same time. http://www.kleanstrip.com/product/concrete-and-metal-prep Nope, nothing but 38-44% phosphoric acid, water and color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenoHuskerDu Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 I haven't seen hydrofluoric acid in consumer products except ones meant to etch glass. We get tankers of it at the water treatment plant because they can counter the base of hypochlorite and add fluoride at the same time. http://www.kleanstrip.com/product/concrete-and-metal-prep Nope, nothing but 38-44% phosphoric acid, water and color. Seems about the same as Ospho in percentage by weight. So does anybody know about the layer of black that forms on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Seems about the same as Ospho in percentage by weight. So does anybody know about the layer of black that forms on top? I always just assumed it was iron and contaminants that the acid got under and lifted off while the parts were pickling. Even if it was ATF I'd expect any kind of oil to be completely 'burnt' from the acid. What always amazes me is the amount of sludge and foam I get from electrolysis. I know it only started out with washing soda but I highly expect the cell is creating more than just hydrogen. I need to test the PH next time I get a chance to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzFace2 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 What always amazes me is the amount of sludge and foam I get from electrolysis. I know it only started out with washing soda but I highly expect the cell is creating more than just hydrogen. I need to test the PH next time I get a chance to do that. When I did electrolysis I did it big, made a pool 6'x6'x3' deep to do the hood & fenders of my Javelin. For nuts & bolts I soaked them in something like "rust be gone" I got through 1 of the parts stores. I did use the acid on the frame and the body on the heavy pitted rust with a spray bottle before painting frame and doing body work. Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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