Thanks Mike.

I realize there are alternatives to molasses & water (e.g. vinegar, muriatic acid) however it a simple mix requiring no protective breathing apparatus or gloves...just soak, remove rinse & return to bath if needed.  Safe around children & pets.  Can be flushed into the sewer system without issue.  Especially useful for larger items like heads & engine blocks.  I do cover open containers.

I get molasses from the local farm co-op at some $11 Cdn./gallon.  Nothing else needed but water.  i also bought a plastic feed trough, big enough for items like heads.  Just need to remove grease & any paint, if rust underneath paint.

Took a block & 2 heads to a local machine shop - block came back OK, heads went back for a 2nd go at their expense...still not good enough so into molasses/water.  Machine shop charged me $140.

Rick

i use white vinegar.
then rinse, dry and paint.

Nice job.

One of our Club members had a big 'Garage Sale' with sales by donation (if items were not separately priced) and all funds by donation going to Cardiac Care Program at Royal Columbian Hospital.

I spotted a derelict pair of S drums rusty, wet, looked awful.  Took a look...no gouges, so hmm, make a donation & pack off home to measure meat.  Lots of meat before 180 mm run-out, brake clean & into molasses/water for 12 days.  Then sand blast, brake clean & hi-heat caliper/drum paint.

Donated as present to VMC Christmas Party gift draw.

Baked paint in the oven while wifey was away in Arizona...NO odor.  So a tip, let paint cure at ambient temps for a week before baking.  If doing a job like this for yourself, paint will cure with heat from braking in use.  However, since I did not know who might get them I baked to finish the job.