Starret Scale - rust removal method?

Froneck said:
If the scale was Stainless Steel why would it be rusty? I do have the Starrett SS scales but their not satin. I like the Hard Chrome Satin Finish. First Thing I would do is get Screw Loose, PB Blaster or Kroil on it. Most of the rust will rub off

Frank
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Thanks Frank, I will try the Kroil tonight. It can't do any harm.

Benny
 
It's not stainless, although certain stainless grades will rust a bit. The base metal in that scale is tool steel or spring steel of some grade. The chrome is a hard chrome as opposed to a soft decorative chrome. It's thin, and any chips or flakes allow exposure of the base metal, which is not stainless.
 
The gentlest and most targeted way to remove rust is with a chelating type rust remover. EvapoRust is one such, but there are others.

Mechanical methods will change the surface appearance, and acids may attack the base metal or the markings. I have no idea how so-called electrolysis would work, but I'd consider it more risky than the chelate.
 
I have a small tub of evapo-rust on my bench and whenever "treasures" like that come along I wash the dirt off and drop them in.
left some really rusty lathe tooling in for all winter once (forgot them when I left for AZ.),took them out in spring when I got back home, came out fine
love the stuff
 
I had a 6" Starret combination square satin finish that I really loved and really miss. We had a guy I worked with that could not touch any of our tools because he made them rust or the satin finish would tarnish. He had to wipe down his tools and oil them each time he touched them. His tool box & tools looked 100 years old.
 
I have had good luck with Naval Jelly, and for a home remedy, with warm vinegar. Vinegar (dilute acetic acid) won't eat base metal, but it converts rust (ferric oxide) to ferric acetate, which is water-soluable. No, I'm not a chemist, I read this someplace, so I can't explain it, but it works a treat....
 
Froneck said:
If the scale was Stainless Steel why would it be rusty?
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Frank, plenty of "stainless steels" will rust readily. Get yourself a shiny dinner knife from your cutlery drawer and stick it outdoors for a while.
The rust marks I see on that rule look more like deposits rather than base metal rusting.

Cheers Phil
 
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