3309. New Mode of Removing Rust

3309.    New Mode of Removing Rust. Plunge the article in a bath of 1 pint hydrochloric (muriatic) acid diluted with 1 quart water. Leave it there 24 hours; then take it out and rub well with a scrubbing-brush. The oxide will come off like dirt under the action of soap. Should any still remain, as is likely, in the corroded parts, return the metal to the bath for a few hours more, and repeat the scrubbing. The metal will present the appearance of dull lead. It must then be well washed in plain water several times, and thoroughly dried before a fire. Lastly, a little rubbing with oil and fine emery powder will restore the polish. Should oil or grease have mingled with the rust, it will be necessary to remove it by a hot solution of soda before submitting the metal to the acid. This last attacks the rust alone, without injuring the steel; but the washing in plain water is all-important, as, after the process, the metal will absorb oxygen from the atmosphere freely if any trace of the acid be allowed to remain.