Removing rust

[cam2s]

So I recently had a small flood in my basement. I hadn't been down there for a few days so it took a while to notice. The upshot is that a several vacuums that sat on wet carpet for a while. I took the affected machines apart to dry. However, a few of my metal machines now have a touch of rust on their bottom plates. Is there an effective way to remove said rust?

 

[joee]

I've used Evaporust on a lot of rusty sewing machines (my other weird hobby) with great results. You can get it at many auto parts stores, or order it online.

http://www.evaporust.com

 

[kenkart]

Oh mercy..

I thought I was the only one who worked on sewing machines!!LOL

 

[whirlpolf]

aluminum foil and cola

Have had the very same rust developing on motorbike parts uncovered for winter or those that were stored in moist basements.

Use some kitchen aluminum foil as a rag and a good dash of coke (any brand) to rub the small spots off and away. It works fine as long as it is not too strong a "rust assault" and the metal must not be layered (like chrome plated or so). If chromed: You end up having the rust removed but the plating has tiny "holes" in it, showing the base metal underneath.
After this procedure you may want to buff it all up with some WD-40, some liquid floor wax or old left-overs from burnt-down candles. The outer (orange) part of orange peels work wonders as well, they even eliminate smudge and insects at the same time (not on cleaners but on bikes). Wipe off dry, done.

Yet major blemishes should be treated with a real rust remover.

I cannot confirm what makes coke work together with aluminum but possibly some electrolytic action or the phosphoric acid in coke (no idea at all, just guessing). But it works really fine and that is all that counts (for me).

Good luck!