Removing rust!

I need a little advise here. I bought these really cool hub caps (old style) at a swap meet last weekend to put on my shoebox. They may be after market stuff - don't know for sure, but they are stainless with a couple of pot metal parts on the them. Well the stainless has some really tuff surface rust on them that won't come off using a rust removing gel, steel wool, or rubbing compound. The lighter rust comes right off with the steel wool. Sorry I don't have a camera to show you the caps. I have read something in Rod & Custom about using a battery and other stuff in a tank or what ever. Please help - thanks

 

Stainless steel doesn't rust. Try the search function, there are many rust threads full of info for ya.

 

Low grade stainless will rust. The aftermarket caps are made from a low grade mix and the steel mixed in the stainless type is whats rusting.
It just depends on the grade used and most re-pop crap is that. The only thing that will fix them probably is sandblasting and having them chromed.

 

As Mudslinger said, low grade stainless will rust and it is also magnetic...dead giveaway for crap stainless. Here is a post I made years ago on rust removal using electrolysis: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10461&highlight=rust+removal

 

The key ingredient in Stainless is Chromium, 18% is usually the high grade stainless, chinese stuff is much less. The chromium only slows down the rusting process, it doesn't eliminate it!

I'd take em down and get em chromed! that'd be the best option!!

 

I might just try the electrolysis thing - which would be quicker electrolysis or vinegar

 

ask me about vinegar...

 

yea, I read your thread on the vinegar, but in the long run was you OK with it??

 

yep, but the wheel flash-rusted 30 minutes after I pulled it out of the soup. Gonna hafta redip it and primer it immediately after rinsing.

 

Better yet use "metal ready".

 

stainless steel is non-magnetic.

 

300 series SS is non-magnetic, 400 series is magnetic

 

Nope
The ferritic and martensitic stainless grades ('400' series) are generally free from austenite, have high permeabilities and so will attract a magnet. They are classed as ferromagnetic. These steels can be magnetised in an electric field and so can be used for electric solenoid cores, where good corrosion resistance is required. An example of this type of steel is the "soft" ferritic 430 (1.4016).