How To Remove Rust From An Aquarium Stand?
I got a used aquarium stand at an estate auction and it’s been sitting in their garage a few years collecting rust. I’ve tried a wire brush attachment for a drill and naval jelly so far. Both work a little, but it just seems like I get one spot done and have to stop for a few days, and the three spots I did right before have new rust by the time I get back to it. And neither way really gets into the scrolls that support the legs. I’ve been working on this now going on three weeks, trying to work about 2 hours each day. Is there any faster way of going about this?
It’s just a 30 inch stand, and I’m going to put a 20 gallon long on it, so it’s not all that big. Under the rust, the metal is still in decent shape except for a couple spots on the lower rack where it’s pitted so I don’t want to toss the whole thing.
I’d appreciate any helpful ideas.
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You’ll want to use a dremel (or similar) tool with a sanding drum or other tip to get in the tight spots. Focus on one area – say one leg finish the whole area. Wipe it down with a dry rag and/or blow it off with an air compressor to get the rust/paint off. Once that area is clean, spray paint it with a rustoleum (or similar) primer or clear lacquer – depending on what look you’re after.
You can by “rust remover” from any hardware store.
It’s usually some sort of acid, you paint it on, and it dissolves rust, leaving clean metal underneath.
Something like this
Then you rinse the gunk off and apply paint to the bare metal. A zinc based paint, we call it “Cold Galv” here, will protect the bare metal and stop future rust.
Something like this
Then just paint on the top coat of whatever colour you want.
The trick to preventing rust in the bits you have cleaned manually is to get some zinc paint on them ASAP. you know the song, “Rust Never Sleeps”.
Ian