Surface Rust on Connecting Rods

[duo_z]

Is a little surface rust going to hurt anything? My project block was sitting for a few months waiting for some parts and some of the connecting rods got some rust on them, will this cause any problems? Should I try to clean it off?

 

[rbohm]

it wont hurt anything. clean it off if you like though, but use a chemical rust converter if the rods have already been prepped to avoid creating stress risers.

 

[gr8one]

i would use ospho on it (rust converter). you can get it for $22 at ace hardware.

 

[duo_z]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I'll have to pick some up later.

 

[KStang65B]

Home Depot has Gallon jugs of Phosphoric Prep & Etch in the paint department for under $15. I use it on all my rusty parts with excellent results.

 

[gregski]

Phosphoric acid from Home Depot removed all the rust off my roof, however afterwards you have to neutralize it with baking soda and water and then wash it off with soap and water, otherwise it will etch the metal and leave a nice white coat/film on the part, not ideal for an internal part, I would wash the heck out of it after then dry it off and spray it with WD-40

could you use a wire wheel to take the rust off, would that damage the rods?

 

[D.Hearne]

I use a wire wheel for anything like this. I keep one on one side of my bench grinder. It removes the rust and burnishes the part's surface.

 

[rbohm]

I use a wire wheel for anything like this. I keep one on one side of my bench grinder. It removes the rust and burnishes the part's surface.

one thing, if a wire brush is used to clean off the rust, make sure that you run it length wise along the rod to minimize any stress riser formation that will weaken the rod.

 

[D.Hearne]

one thing, if a wire brush is used to clean off the rust, make sure that you run it length wise along the rod to minimize any stress riser formation that will weaken the rod.

 

[KStang65B]

Glass bead blast followed up by shot peening.

 

[duo_z]

So if I would fog the inside of the engine with the rotating assembly installed using ospho would it do any harm? Sorry I forgot to mention the rotating assembly was installed.

 

[D.Hearne]

So if I would fog the inside of the engine with the rotating assembly installed using ospho would it do any harm? Sorry I forgot to mention the rotating assembly was installed.

Don't know what you mean by "ospho" but if it's any kind of chemical stripper/cleaner.....................NO !!! Leave the rods as is and give em a good coating of motor oil.