Mopac bell bottom restored

[peggyrothschild]

When I got this lantern it was completely covered in rust. Harbor Freight sells a liquid rust remover called Evaporust that does a great job in removing rust. It’s safe and acts pretty quickly. I let the lantern soak for a couple of days and then remove the rust with 0000 steel wool. After using Evaporust I pour it back in its container for future use.

Never use a steel wire brush on an old lantern as it scratches the metal and decreases the value, a soft brass wire brush is recommended for the hard to clean areas such as the wire guard protecting the glass globe.

Here’s a url with more information on restoring old railroad lanterns http://www.railroadiana.org/lanterns/pgLanterns_Restoration.php

Charlie Duckworth

[peggyrothschild]

Here’s the lantern before it was soaked in the Evaporust.
[attachment=1:2up5is0b]BBbefore.jpg[/attachment:2up5is0b]

[peggyrothschild]

Harbor Freight rust remover..sorry it’s upside down took with an iPad and it loaded this way.

[benjamintickell53]

What is the risk with a really rusted lantern, that the rust remover will leave holes rather than metal?

Bill Pollard

[peggyrothschild]

@arkrail wrote:

What is the risk with a really rusted lantern, that the rust remover will leave holes rather than metal?

Bill Pollard

Bill
the only lanterns and other items I’ve used the rust remover on had surface rust but it is effective in removing all of it. I would think if a lantern was rusted through in places you’d end up with both holes and surface pitting in the metal after using it.

[Author]

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