| With the advent and availability of 'green' rust | | | | available today; I believe they will see more |
| removers, a new, simple problem has arisen. | | | | widespread use because they are so inexpensive to |
| A significant barrier to their widespread use is the | | | | ship. As mentioned before, the cost savings realized |
| way these products are perceived. Breaking old | | | | when shipping the 'green' rust remover products is |
| habits and methods of rust removal is a difficult | | | | already substantial due to the non-hazardous |
| process. All forms of rust removal such as | | | | classification. The availability of concentrated versions |
| sandblasting, sanding, grinding, wire wheels, and most | | | | means that the shipping cost is once again |
| importantly, the use of dangerous acids, have been | | | | dramatically reduced. |
| accepted methods for many centuries. These 'green' | | | | The one rust remover concentrate currently |
| rust removers have been around for only about a | | | | available on the internet, comes in 1-quart, 1-gallon, |
| decade; they are based on chelant (pronounced | | | | 5-gallon and 55-gallon drum sizes. I will use the 1-gallon |
| Key-lant) technology. The most | | | | size for comparison. That one gallon costs $59.50 |
| interesting application of chelants is their use in the | | | | USD and is shipped as cheaply as a gallon of water, |
| medical field to remove metal contaminants from | | | | with no non-hazardous fees. It makes the equivalent |
| the bloodstream. You can't get any more green than | | | | of 10-gallons of ready-to-use fluid, you simply mix |
| that! | | | | it with 9 gallons of water. Total cost per gallon |
| Many end-users are skeptical that these products | | | | is approximately $6.95, with shipping factored in for |
| actually work, until they see an actual demonstration. | | | | the contiguous US. |
| I will outline the most important reasons why these | | | | The non-concentrated rust removers are shipped |
| newer products should be given a fair test. | | | | with the non-hazardous classification, but when you |
| Foremost is the non-hazardous classification. The | | | | order one gallon for $19.99 to $39.99 (the current |
| reduction in liability is paramount, especially when it | | | | typical internet price), that is all you get. In order to |
| involves the high cost of liability insurance to ship and | | | | have 10 gallons of ready-to-use fluid you have to |
| warehouse hazardous substances. Aside from safety | | | | purchase and ship 10 gallons! For the least expensive |
| issues regarding the physical ways of rust removal, | | | | one, it means 10 x $19.99, plus about $10.00 per |
| these rust remover products compete directly with | | | | gallon for shipping. That adds up to an astonishing |
| dangerous acids since they are both liquids | | | | $299.00, or $29.90 per gallon shipped here in the |
| and happen to be applied in one similar manner; by | | | | lower 48 states. |
| dipping a part in a container of fluid. One very | | | | Concentrated versions will also save on floor and |
| significant benefit of these safe-to-use rust removers | | | | shelf space. Where this space is at a premium, such |
| is the ability to remove rust from very large surfaces | | | | as in wholesale and retail buildings, etc., a reduction in |
| by the continual spray method aka, shower | | | | space used may mean cost savings for these |
| and recirculation method. You cannot spray and | | | | suppliers in terms of per square foot costs. Plus the |
| recirculate acids over larger surfaces due to the | | | | ability to carry the products in the first place and to |
| extreme hazards of inhalation, etc. There is no safety | | | | remain well stocked. Another advantage is the use of |
| equipment involved in applying the green products. | | | | smaller, highly visible areas such as end-caps and |
| They have little or no fumes or smell; they will not | | | | shelving in check-out lines. |
| remove skin or flesh like an acid; they will not attack | | | | Unfortunately, most people don't understand these |
| paints, rubber, plastics, leather, wood or even | | | | simple concepts, or don't believe it is possible to have |
| remove permanent marker from parts or tooling. | | | | such a huge cost savings and excellent performance |
| Another great benefit of these green chemicals is | | | | all at the same time. |
| that they can be shipped virtually all over the planet | | | | Whether you are a supplier, retailer or end-user of |
| due to their non-hazardous classification. If you have | | | | these environmentally responsible rust removers, |
| tried to ship hazardous goods via air, land or sea, | | | | educating oneself about their vast benefits early on |
| you have most likely discovered the extremely high | | | | will help save the planet and provide you with the |
| cost involved. There are no such additional fees for | | | | most profitable, least liable products out there. |
| shipping the green alternatives; consequently, huge | | | | For further information regarding all aspects of these |
| savings are realized. | | | | 'green' rust removers, please visit: |
| Despite there being only one true concentrated | | | | For reference on all metal related items, see Metal |
| version of these environmentally safe rust removers | | | | Web News. |