Rusty Jigs

[moose1878]

Apparently my jig box got put away last year with some moisture in it.  The majority of them have rust on them.   Does anyone have a good way to clean up the hooks and get the rust off the painted parts.  Thanks

[CrappiePerchDude]

Try this evapo-rust …. Put the jigs in a Tupperware container and pour this over the top until they are submerged.  Wait a few hours, rinse and go.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gallon-evapo-rust-rust-remover-96431.html

[Fish Butcher]

Rust is an iron oxide and corrosive therefore making the tensile strength of the hook weak.

[JMZ]

I heard that if you soak them in WD40 it will loosen the rust and then try a wire brush or small hook file.

[JohnnyO19]

yeah, I bet the rust would compromise the metal somewhat. Would hate for you to lose a hog on a snapped jig 

[SLAYERFISH]

if it were Me, I'd get a NEW jig box. and fill it with NEW jigs! Ya only live once!

[hawg]

Me too!

[glenwyo]

Same as others have said, rusted hooks will break a lot easier especially if the jigs were in that jig box for almost a year.

[greenbulldog]

All new tackle would be nice, but I'd bet most of those hooks are just fine.  Sort through any that are deeply pitted that could break, but I'd bet the rust over one season isn't really that bad and just surface rust, not like we ice fish in salt water.

I second evaporust, I've used it a few times to clean out gas lantern tanks, it hasn't affected the paint or anything.  But test a couple first to make sure.  The stuff works amazing.

[thomasthepikehunter]

Evaporust is some good stuff, shouldn't hurt paint. Before that, try some vinegar. It's a weak for real rust, but it often gets rust stains off. Unless they were soaking in water all year, I really doubt the rust you have is going to harm the hooks strength. Touch up the hooks with a hook sharpener and dont' worry about a little patina.