Will Wd-40 remove rust from concrete? Here’s how to do it

Saad Iqbal | 🗓️Modified: May 1, 2023 | ⏳Read Time: 5 min | 👁Post Views: 117

Yes sure, with some elbow grease and right type of WD-40 product, you can remove rust from concrete even if it is on large area or is there for some time. WD-40 is strong lubricating oil that works by penetrating into the porous concrete surface and it instantly gets under the rust removing it right away.

But you still need to follow the right steps in order to get something out of WD40. It’s not that mere spraying WD40 will do the trick. You need to work yourself through.

Concrete and rust – but why?

Having rust on the concrete floor is a pesky annoyance. It is pretty common issue, particularly in areas with high-humidity or near saltwater. So, if you’re living in costal areas; you need to look for some ways and see if WD-40 removes rust from concrete? It not just damages the surface of the concrete structure but is also an aesthetic glitch.

Rust can quickly get over the concrete deep in the pores and so the most common cleansing solutions won’t work. You got to tackle the large area and if the rust is left untreated it can further deteriorate and expand.

Common areas of rust issues

Here’re some of the areas where you can face rust issues:

  • Garages
  • Driveway
  • Workshop

Now in these areas, if you left some metal piece on the concrete or if you have some outdoor furniture made from metal; you might get rust in some point of life.

Now let’s have a look at some steps that you MUST follow in order get rid of rust stains from concrete surface.

Steps to remove rust using WD40

  • Cleaning & Preparation – Make sure to prepare and clean the concrete surface. You can use a stiff brush or broom to remove any loose debris or dirt.
  • Spraying – Now in this step you must try to fully saturate the rust stain with WD-40. The trick is to cover the entire area with WD-40 directly onto the rust stain. You can visually check if the stain has been fully saturated or not.
  • Wait – Now allow the product to sit on the stain from at least 5 to 10 minutes. WD-40 has penetrating capability and so it needs some time to get underneath the rust stains. In case of stubborn stains, you might have to wait for 20 to 0 minutes.
  • Elbow grease – Now all you need to do is scrub the affected area as much as you can. You can use the stiff brush to work in circular motion. This will help loosen the rust stain from the concrete surface.
  • Rinsing – At the end, you can rinse the area thoroughly with warm water.  This will remove any stain residue from the surface.

Also Read: Can you paint concrete pavers? (Including Staining)

For stub-born stains

Use vinegar – For some stubborn stains, you can use combo of WD-40 and vinegar solution. You can apply both WD-40 as well as vinegar solution separately. First apply the vinegar solution on the concrete and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Once you’re done with vinegar, you can spray WD-40 and saturate the stain enough.

Use baking soda – You can also try to use paste of baking soda. Just take a cup of baking soda, mix with water, and making a paste. Apply this paste on the rust stain. You can let it sit for several house before applying WD-40, scrubbing with stiff brush, and rinsing with water.

Caution

WD-40 has a repute of leaving some oily stains on the concrete surface. So, we recommend you try and test it in some confined area first before applying it to the entire area. Also make sure to wear gloves and protective eye wear while working with chemicals.

If you’re allergic to chemicals, make sure to use WD-40 only in well-ventilated areas. WD-40 does have chemicals that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.  

Conclusion

So, that’s all what you have about Will Wd-40 remove rust from concrete? I’m waiting for your thoughts; do let me know what you have experienced below in the comments section.

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