Removing Excess Rust - Getting Started Removing Rust is very simple and is a form of discharge dyeing.
Above supplies needed, excluding old tooth brush, foam brush, and nitrile gloves, includes bucket for soaking fabrics in, baking soda, water, and rusted fabrics.
Above are three pieces of fabric I rust dyed using an old coffee can lid in 2003, each piece of fabric has varying stages of rust on the surface depending on their position in the rust bundle layer. The piece of fabric to the far left was closest to the metal lid and therefore has acquired the greatest amount of rust on the surface. The iron oxide particles are so thick that they shimmer as just like metal.
Above, detail of teh rusted fabric and rust particles. Click on image for greater detail
Above supplies needed, excluding old tooth brush, foam brush, and nitrile gloves, includes bucket for soaking fabrics in, baking soda, water, and rusted fabrics.