Gel Rust Removers: Evapo-Rust vs Metal Rescue

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Published 2018-07-23

Chemical rust removers have been around for some time. Simply dunk the rusty piece of metal into the magic solution, let it soak, and come back later to a nice and rust free item! The problem with the liquid rust removers though is that they don't work great if you cannot soak your item submerged in the solution - making it difficult to remove rust on larger items. Recently, a new player has come into this market - gel based rust removers where you apply a thick gel that will stay on the item and again, do its magic. In this video, we will test two of the gel products on the market - Evapo-Rust Gel and Metal Rescue Gel. All did not turn out quite as good as I hoped, but I still see some good use for at least one of these products!

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All Comments (21)

@jqpublic9777 1 year ago

I have 2 bottles of EvapoRust Gel. The instructions on the small one are the same as what you read in the video, but the larger bottle has additional instructions for large objects. It says to keep the surface most by wetting paper towels with the gel, then wrapping with plastic wrap. Perhaps another attempt using those instructions is in order.
@fredclark4033 5 years ago

Nice to see a side by side as it really makes the comparison very evident to see. Thanks Keith
@dnwheeler 9 months ago

The Evapo-Rust instructions specifically said to leave it for 1-2 hours and avoid sunlight. I'm sure the intent is to wipe it off before it dries. Also, your concerns about using large quantities of the liquid form have some validity, but remember that you can keep reusing the same liquid over and over. Just store it in a large container that you can cover (to keep it from evaporating).
@IslandHermit 4 years ago

Keep in mind that the Metal Rescue instructions say that you may need to leave it up to 24 hours, whereas the Evaporust probably stops working once it's dry.
@stephenbeer2916 1 year ago

I have had great luck with both products when I leave them on for more than 24hrs.
@frankinpattaya 5 years ago

Thank you Keith for an truthful review on the products, regards Frank
@nadanutcase 3 years ago

Excellent side by side comparison and very timely for me. Thanks !!!
@BROCKWOOD64 5 years ago

Liquid Metal Rescue does a good job. Haven't tried the EvapoRust version. Think I'll avoid the gels altogether. Thanks for all you do Keith!
@celebtee 5 years ago

The smell you described like something burnt or drying was probably iron citrate. I do a lot of immersion de-rusting and it's my cleaner of choice. Mixed correctly it can keep an appropriate pH to minimise dissolution of the substrate iron. In this respect it's quite a restrained choice, and doesn't typically overshoot. Some would find that appealing.
@jcs6347 5 years ago

Thanks Keith, I have not seen either of these and I need to remove the rust on a delta wood shaper table. I have used evaporust in a bucket with good success, but have no way to submerge the whole table, so I was hoping for great result with these products. I was a bit disappointed with the results also and will keep and eye out for subsequent comparisons, Thanks again!
@xfreeman86 2 years ago

This is a very well-done video. Thank you for making it!
@321ajilla 5 years ago

Try covering the EvapoRust with plastic wrap
@terranceway 3 years ago

Granted I had a small rust issue with a couple files, with some scaling, I soaked them in straight vinegar for 3 days, all rust was dissolved and had useable files once again, during that time I did give them a quick wire brushing. I believe you would benefit from placing that pully in a vinegar a few days. Best regards, Terrance
@DENedbalek 5 years ago

Very helpful video Keith. Thanks.
@bulldawg6259 5 years ago

I've been watching for years This is my first comment. Thank you for super job
@djmattplay 3 years ago

This was a great review. Thank you!
@crazor01 5 years ago

I agree that you should probably cover the Evaporust, too. Since this is chemical rust removal, the reaction is probably faster in liquid state than dry. Also I don't think that cutting off oxygen matters, as there is already plenty of oxygen in the rust (i.e. ferrous/ferric oxides) and the process is trying to get rid of this oxygen. When using paint strippers, I had great success with covering the parts as well.
@rickolson9011 5 years ago

Like the side by side! Please finish the job on the pulley with your previously demonstrated tub, washing soda?, battery charger technique. Maybe finish the lathe ways with recommended 24 hours of metal rescue, it looks quite promising to this Model T Ford buff.. Keep up the great work!
@josephrodrick6451 4 years ago

Great video . . . Professionally executed product performance comparisons . . . Thank You
@chuckg7311 5 years ago

It’s my supposition that when the evaporust dries the chemical reaction slows/stops. The evaporust behaves differently in liquid form. See abomb 79 whose evaporust comes out pretty clean. Next time turn vertical and soak portions of pulley in a tub, need less evaporust. Clean up each section as it comes out. Keith please try this.