Bilt Hamber Deox-Gel is a rust remover gel for rust on large, vertical or awkward metal parts that you cannot immerse. You spread the gel on thickly, cover it with film, leave it for at least 12 hours and then scrub it off with water. Below you will find how to do it, what to watch for and what to do with the bare steel afterwards. Our Bilt Hamber Deox-Gel Rust Remover is the gel this guide is about.
What Deox-Gel is and what you use it for
Deox-Gel is a thick, sticky rust-dissolving gel. That consistency keeps it in place, even on a vertical panel or under a suspension arm. A bath of liquid rust remover suits loose parts, but you cannot put a body panel or a machine in a bucket. For those jobs a gel rust remover is the logical choice.
The gel works without aggressive acids and without scrubbing while it soaks. It is non-toxic and does not attack sound steel. You use it on body panels, tools and machinery. You can use it on painted surfaces, but test on an inconspicuous spot first.
The key facts on Bilt Hamber Deox-Gel
Feature | Deox-Gel |
|---|---|
Type | Rust-dissolving gel |
Consistency | Thick, stays put on vertical surfaces |
Acid-free | Yes |
Scrubbing while it works | No |
Application | Brush (spatula or card also work) |
Dwell time | At least 12 hours, longer for heavy rust |
Suitable for | Body panels, tools, machinery |
Pack size | 1 kg and a larger size |
How to do it step by step
Degrease. Clean the surface of oil and dirt first, otherwise the gel cannot reach the rust. Tip: a part still covered in oil or grime keeps the gel away from the metal.
Apply the gel. Use a brush; a spatula or piece of card works well too. Put on a thick, even layer. Pitfall: brushing it out thin. The layer must stay thick and even. For large areas you can also use a pressure pot.
Cover it. Lay plastic film over the gel so it stays moist. Heavily rusted metal needs a long dwell time and the gel must not dry out. Tip: press the film down lightly so no air stays trapped under it.
Let it work. Leave the gel undisturbed for at least 12 hours, longer for heavy rust. Only then take the film off.
Scrub and rinse. Remove the film and scrub the surface with a stiff plastic brush and plenty of water. You are left with clean steel. Pitfall: a steel brush on painted areas, which scratches the paint.
Protect straight away. Dry the metal immediately and give it a protective coat, otherwise new rust forms quickly on the bare steel. How to do that is covered below under combinations.
Common mistakes and tips
Spreading the gel too thin. The layer must stay thick and even, not brushed out.
Stepping in too early. Give the gel time: at least 12 hours, longer for heavy rust.
Skipping the cover. The gel must not dry out, so put plastic over it.
Forgetting to degrease. Oil and grease keep the gel away from the metal.
Leaving bare steel exposed. After rinsing, a primer or preservative has to go on quickly. See our guides on rust prevention and underbody protection and on removing rust from your car.
What to combine Deox-Gel with
Removing rust is the first half of the job. The second half is stopping it coming back. Everything you can use for that is in the rust prevention and preservation category, and for the cleaning groundwork have a look at decontamination.
Bilt Hamber Electrox Zinc Primer 400ml for bare steel and weld seams. The zinc-rich primer gives galvanic protection. Read more in the guide using Electrox Zinc Primer.
Bilt Hamber Atom-Mac Corrosion Inhibitor for cavities and spots that are hard to reach. For the car you dilute it 2 to 5% in water.
Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 for light leftover rust you would rather convert than scrub away. This water-based rust converter can be painted over.