cleaning rusted/ pocked hyd. cylinder rods?

[pybyr]

Hello all-

I'm doing some work on an older tractor loader that's been out in the weather with the hydraulic cylinders extended/ exposed, and they've developed some rusty "acne" - spots here and there rather than a coat of rust, but the spots (even though small) have raised/ rough texture.

Obviously if they're run back "in" with the abrasive rust, it'll ruin the seals, and quickly.

I realize that the "right" way to do this would be to get the rods re-plated or, apparently, replaced with new... but that isn't in the budget for this project right now.

I'd appreciate any tips and techniques of how to properly, quickly, and effectively clean off the raised/ abrasive rust particles without further damaging the surrounding/ intact hard chrome.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Bret Hart]

Only thing I have done is to use a very fine emery cloth. The seals will still start leaking soon though. Re-plate or replace are the only proper things I'm aware of to do.

Maybe pricing here might help take the sting out of purchasing: http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?keyword=HCD1&catname=hydraulic&PAGELEN=20&PageNo=1

 

[festerw]

I had a plow with the same deal, I used 0000 steel wool to smooth it out and coated them with Fluid Film. Did that for the 5 years I had the plow and the seals never leaked enough to drip any fluid.

 

[pybyr]

Thanks for the input. I may do some test patches with fine scotchbrite pads and/ or fine klingspor wool + Kroil to see how it seems to clean up the pocks/ scale.

 

[Ashful]

Duplicate thread?