Springtime means dragging the gardening tools out from their winter hideaway and returning them to service. Occasionally the last project of the year — and the multi-month cold storage — leaves ’em with a rusty blemish or two to show for it. That’s where rust erasers come in handy.
They look and probably function a lot like a pliable foam sanding block. (In fact, that’s pretty much what they are.) A few minutes of wailing on the tool in question and mud, dirt, and light rust will come right off.
Each 3″ x 2″ x 3/4″ rubber-like block has abrasive embedded throughout, and works well wet or dry. They can be used like sandpaper on wood and will also clean up cookware — even soot-blackened camping pots.
For $4 a pop they might be a better bet than replacing the $20 garden tool.
Rust Eraser [Grindtech]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
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4 Responses to Finds: Rust Eraser
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These things are fantastic for fixing up cast iron tables on old woodworking machines. I hadn’t thought of using them for garden tools.
I do all this with an orbital sander with fast swirl free results.
I have used these since I saw them in a leading abrasive mag a couple of years ago. I only use the course for rust since medium and fine don’t cut it, unless you run out of course and that is all you have. I suppose one could use the medium and fine for table tops if one allows rust to form on them.
Interestingly, I see now they advertise them less for rust than for other abrasive use. They might have received some grumbling about the rust application. They crumble into micro-grains quickly, but still are useful.
@Hank: for table tops I have had good results using all three grits: start with the coarse to get the rust, then work your way up to fine to give the table a smooth finish. Finish it off with your favorite rust inhibitor like Boeshield and you’re good to go.