white vinegar derusting disaster

If you have to do anything like this again, take them apart first so the bows are completely free. Hydrogen embrittlement/SCC happens much more readily when the parts are under stress. When assembled into the divider, they are providing spring load to the divider, and as a result are under stress. If you had cleaned them off in the vinegar in the free state, then were very careful to neutralize the acid completely before assembly, you might have got away with it. There is still some risk it would show up later, though.

-Ed
 
I always try to take everything apart before removing rusting. For small Parts I use Evaporust. For large parts I use electrolysis and the end product is completely safe to dispose of in both cases.
 
I also trap as a hobby (like I don't have enough hobbies) Soaking traps in vinegar to remove rust is an old trappers trick. However, you don't soak them very long. If they soak overnight, the springs will be junk in the morning. Vinegar is really bad for spring steel.
 
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