What's the best product or homemade concoction for knocking off thick rust? Methods yall have used that work better than others?

I use Red's Bore Cleaner. A homemade combination of ATF, mineral spirits, kerosene and acetone. http://handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9

There is a lot of commercial stuff out there, but I always have a jug of this available, so it is the handiest thing available when I need it. Is found that if I soak a rusted nut and bolt, it will bust loose a lot easier. Actually I have 2 jugs of the mixes, one without the kerosene and acetone, one with. The with mix is for gun cleaning, the other for rusty old tools that I find. I don't like playing with kerosene and acetone, so I save it for the guns.

The other home concoction is to soak with vinegar, Google rust remover with vinegar.

What are you knocking the rust off of?

I've used Red's as well, good for a lot of stuff.

But I've also used various acids and sandblasters when needed.

Was given some old coil springs traps that I want to clean up and get working for a buddy. Will post a pic later today if needed.

If your using it on traps you want to use you might want to stay away from the chemicals they will leave a smell.

If the rust is such that it will affect the operation of the traps you may need to replace them. I would try some type of on mineral oil, cooking oil or lard.

If you are planning to use these I think the small game/ varmints section would be a better place to look. Some rust is fine.

would like to see pictures ... I had an old trap string line of about 180 traps, all had some rust on them ...

I don't have a solution, but your THF name looks familiar!

Apple cider vinegar.

Are you going to use them, actually try to trap animals?

Buddy is wanting to for his property. Once I have a place would like to do the same.

A bucket of vinegar for a day or two as mentioned, or get a cheap siphon blaster from harbor freight and blast with fine sand. If you go vinegar, rinse well and dry quick, then use a good trap dye.

I'd also get a flat, fine edged file and clean the landings where the trigger (dog) sets on the pan notch.

I'd set it and pop it a couple times 1st, just to make sure the springs are strong and it may also knock of the heavier rust and only need a bit of steel brushing to clean it up, most traps have a bit of rust.

BTW, I used OSPHO on some traps back in the early 90's just goofing around, worked great!. Let them air out a couple of weeks and they caught yotes as well as the others. I dont think those have any rust to this day, will have to look.

Someone mentioned lard, or oil on the trap, NOT for yotes, they will smell it and dig the trap, then you have a better educated target, a bit of rust is more natural than any food smell, or foreign odor on the trap under the ground.

If they still set and spring and the springs are strong enough I wouldn't mess with them. they are going to get that rusty with use.

Knotted cup brush on a 4 1/2" angle grinder.

boil the traps in walnut hulls, that's all they need

Is that also poisonous?

Google "Electrolysis rust removal". I did it to an old horseshoe that didn't respond to other treatments. It's a pretty cool process, and doesn't involve any harsh chemicals. Safe enough to use on cast iron pans for cooking.

I saw a video on rust removal a few days ago that might be well worth a try ... put the traps in a small container to where you can cover with liquid and fill container up with a vinegar and let sit overnight or longer.

or electrolysis rust removal ... using battery charger

no poison, just removes the rust and dyes the traps a nice brown color.

Traps are supposed to be rusted when u boil them with the dye. After you dye them dip them in trappers wax. Then they are ready to trap.
I used to boil my new traps in saltwater then set aside for a few months letting them rust. The dye will not adhere to a new pretty shiny trap.

I get a 5 gallon bucket of diesel and let it soak for a while, that is how I get rust off metal.

^^^^This^^^ It works and is simple! Use common sense and don't work around sparks or flame.

Very Important---after you get done, they will be clean but highly susceptible to rusting again, so you'll have to protect it some way.

Cures snake bites, removes tartar, heals acne, gout, chigger bites, and jockey rash.

I prefer a nice, aged balsamic.

Just sand blast them....