Headlight rust removal

[HawkGEye]

Hi folks,

The great one-week Hawk cleanup continues! The left-side mirror should arrive today. Popped on a non-shredded stator cover this morning after mounting the Trail Tech last night. Now, after months of searching, I found a ROAD-RASH FREE headlight!!!

It is a bit rusted, so I planned to remove the outer metal ring from the lens and drop it in some rust-removal bath. But it would appear that there are metal tabs keeping it secure. Does anyone know if I can pull the tabs up to pull it off, and press them back down? I'm worried they will just snap off.

If you have any alternative methods you think would be superior, I'm open to that as well. Thank you!!!

[ParcNHawk]

I would just dunk the thing. I wouldn't bother taking it apart.

[Ziggy]

I have had good results removing light rust from chrome using 0000 steel wool.
Recommend masking off the lens to avoid any marring.
YRMV

[HawkGEye]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll post some pics tomorrow of where she's at after all the work!

[lamelylounges]

I have had good results removing light rust from chrome using 0000 steel wool.
Recommend masking off the lens to avoid any marring.
YRMV

And scotchbrite cleaning pads work pretty well, too. Blue for the lighter rust. Green is rougher, for the harder-to-clean rust.

[dhotop]

For surface rust on chrome, use crumpled aluminum foil, and wet it with water (wd-40 works too). Steel wool will scratch the chrome (albeit the finer the wool, the finer the scratches). Aluminum foil is softer than the chrome and won't scratch it but will remove the rust. Try it, you'll be shocked how well it works. For hard to reach areas, you can use a small brush with brass bristles, brass is also softer than chrome and won't scratch it.

[HawkGEye]

Thanks for the advice dhotop. I used the small brass brush to get into the area between the chrome and lens. Worked like a charm!!!!

[DrPMC]

Immersion in a bath of dilute oxalic acid can be excellent for de-rusting complicated painted parts, as it will thoroughly remove all rust but leaves painted and plated surfaces untouched. It is so effective a rust remover that bare steel area must be rapidly rinsed, dried and oiled to prevent them rapidly oxidising.

[6]

Thanks for the advice dhotop. I used the small brass brush to get into the area between the chrome and lens. Worked like a charm!!!!

FAntastic outcome.

[6]

Immersion in a bath of dilute oxalic acid can be excellent for de-rusting complicated painted parts, as it will thoroughly remove all rust but leaves painted and plated surfaces untouched. It is so effective a rust remover that bare steel area must be rapidly rinsed, dried and oiled to prevent them rapidly oxidising.

Good info.

[dhotop]

Immersion in a bath of dilute oxalic acid can be excellent for de-rusting complicated painted parts, as it will thoroughly remove all rust but leaves painted and plated surfaces untouched. It is so effective a rust remover that bare steel area must be rapidly rinsed, dried and oiled to prevent them rapidly oxidising.

You can find this at most hardware stores, Its also known as wood bleach and works well. It transforms iron oxide into yellow "stuff". chemistry & all that!