Antiques

Condition is everything, whether restoring an old Ford, an antique wrench or a railroad lantern. One never should do anything to an antique that is not reversible.

It should be no surprise, then, that the Smithsonian Institution does not allow sandblasting or the wire-brushing of its antiquities, as those processes permanently alter the patina of the object.

Treating an artifact in Rustbeeter™removes rust, yet retains an antique's original patina, thus increasing the artifact's monetary value and allure.

A byproduct of the sugar beet-refining process, Rustbeeter™seeks out iron oxide (rust) from steel and cast iron and removes it from all surfaces. Unlike sandblasting, bead blasting, wire brushing or treating with acids or caustics, Rustbeeter™will not degrade the base metal or, in turn, the value of the antique. Rustbeeter™is the only product that is reversible without marking or degrading the surface.

You should know...

• In some cases, removing half the rust from an antique might be better than taking off all the rust. Simply remove the antique from the Rustbeeter™solution when the desired amount of rust is gone.
  
• Rustbeeter™seeps into interior surfaces, nooks and crannies where other processes are unable to reach.
  
• Rustbeeter™will not remove paint that is properly adhered to the metal. However, most paint has rust beneath it and Rustbeeter™will remove the rust and float the paint.
  
• Rustbeeter™will not remove rust stains from paint because they have chemically combined with other materials.
  
• Rustbeeter™removes rust from cast-iron surfaces, recesses and pitted areas. Due to the high carbon content of cast iron, a slight buildup of free carbon will remain on the surface, giving a darker or ÏseasonedÓ appearance to the part. To remove this carbon Ïdirt,Ó simply hand wire-brush the part while washing with a small, fine wire brush.
  
• You should remove wooden parts from metal artifacts. Because wood is porous, it will absorb Rustbeeter™. The wood will darken and take on a slight molasses-like odor.
  
• Rustbeeter™does not deteriorate or alter galvanized, zinc or black oxide surfaces. Other metals such as brass, copper, soldering, plastic and Fiberglas also are not affected by Rustbeeter™, although the product does destroy aluminum.
  
• Since Rustbeeter™is a food product, it is safe to use, safe to handle and poses no health issues. It is much less expensive than many other commercial products and processes.
  
• Rustbeeter™is a soaking process so the part to be treated must fit into a bucket.