Removing Rust From Coils

I picked up these 14x650 coils for the cost of shipping and was wondering if anyone knows of a good way to remove the rust. I've heard of soaking them in different solutions then sanding them down, but since I'm in Cali I'm not too familiar with the red stuff...haha

I don't want to pay for sandblasting as it would cost way too much and I want this to be a cheap project.

 

I'd go to Walmart and buy a couple gallons of vinegar and a cheap plastic tub, let them soak - check them daily to see how they're progressing.

 

I had read about vinegar, going to have to move that project to the backyard or my wife would kill me.

 

Evapo rust works wonders. or OSPHO. those are what I use for rusty things

 

I can't tell from the pics but they look very pitted I personally would not install those on my truck the rust could be deep enough to effect the properties of the spring steel and they could snap if it's brittle enough.

 

I use this to restore rusty old yardsale tools all the time:
I'm sure it'd work for coils too.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/?ALLSTEPS

Before:


After several hours:

After 24 hours:


After wire brushing/steel wool and oiling:

 

I've always wanted to try this method.

 

It really does work very well. I've done everything from old axes like that one to those nifty push-ratcheting yankee screwdrivers to hand planes, old chisels, hand saws, etc. You can take a fifty cent junk bin tool and make it look brand new again without the scoring or metal loss you can get from aggressive wire-brushing.

 

Yeah, I was worried about that, I'm going to sand part of one down and see if it has started pitting or just surface rust. If it's bad enough I will just reuse them for a teeter tauter for my daughter or something.

 

If you have a pool and have spare muriatic acid that will do the job. Immediately clean and paint or it will flash rust. Don't forget the PPE.