Did you know that there are a couple of things that your crisp, refreshing, and cold glass of coke could do for you? Did you also know that a bit of a glass of diet Coca-Cola can go a long way from cleaning your toilet seat to polishing the chrome of your car’s bumper, and does diet coke remove rust?
Yes. The diet coke will react with the iron oxide forming and creating iron hydroxide and carbonic acid. Some might say that it will not work. However, to see a good result, you need to leave it in the bath long enough to make sure there is no more bubbling.
Of the truth, diet Coke is most commonly thought of as a soft drink and refreshing beverage, but many people have heard rumors about the amazing properties of Diet Coke for use around the home. One of the most common uses for this particular soft drink is to remove rust from metal objects.
Below, we shall be clearing every doubt about diet coke and its usefulness in removing rust.
Contents
What Is Diet Coke?
Diet Coke is a non-calorie and sugar-free soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. Diet soda is typically a mixture of flavors, water, natural or artificial sweeteners, extra components like caffeine or vitamins.
Diet coke was introduced into the market in 1982, and since its introduction, and within two years of its introduction, it became a leading diet soft drink in many countries. Although Diet Coke is not a modified version of regular coke, it is produced with a completely different formula. A can of diet coke has: 0.4 calories, 0g Carbs, 0g sugars, and 0g salt.
Average diet coke contains Color (caramel E150d), Carbonated Water, Sweeteners (aspartame), acesulfame (K), phosphoric acid, phenylalanine, flavorings (inc caffeine), preservative (sodium benzoate).
The phosphoric acid in Diet Coke is a chemical used to treat rusty metals. It is also used to get rid of stains and mineral deposits. Notwithstanding, diet coke is still safe to consume.
There are a few other diet coke flavors: Diet Vanilla Coke, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke, Diet Coke with Lime, Diet Cherry Coke, and Diet Coke with Citrus Zest.
Why Diet Coke?
Out of the numerous rust removers we have at our disposal, diet coke has proven to be one of the best alternatives for cleaning rusty materials.
Here are some excellent reasons you may want to consider using diet coke.
- Diet coke is affordable and readily available
- With little or no side effects, diet cokes are safer compared to other rust killers
- They work really fast.
Chemistry of Rust Formation
Rust forms when the alloys of iron are exposed to air. The hydrogen and oxygen component of the air now reacts with the iron, thereby forming a chemical compound known as hydrated oxide.
Rusty materials are treated using a chemical substance known as rust converters. When applied to the surface of rusty metals, these rust converters (also known as primers) convert rust (ion oxides) into a protective chemical barrier. Rust removals are sometimes called rust killers or rust removers
How Does Diet Coke Work to Remove Dust?
A significant percentage of rust removers are made of phosphoric acid. And this chemical (phosphoric acid) is also found in diet coke. It can act quickly on rust leaving behind an iron phosphate coating which serves as a temporary rust inhibitor. Diet coke also contain citric acid, which is also an agent for removing rust
How to Restore Rusty Metals Using Diet Coke?
Rather than using substances like white vinegar, you can get rid of rust from your metals simply by soaking them in diet coke for a good number of hours.
You will need the following materials to carry out the process.
- A bottle of diet coke
- An empty container to contain the size of the rusty metal
- The rusty metal
- A soapy water
- A piece of steel wool
- A bucket of water
- A dry piece of clothing
- Step 1: put the rusty material inside the empty container
- Step 2: pour the diet soda into the container where you have the rusty metal
- Step 3: keep the metal in the diet coke for a minimum of 24 hours, then take it off to see the progress. If there is not much difference after 24 hours, you can put the metal back in the diet coke for some extra hours.
- Step 4: take the metal from the diet coke and put it into the soapy water
- Step 5: wipe off and rinse your metal in clean water
- Step 6: gently scrub off the dust with the steel wool to get a shiny metal
What Is the Difference between Diet Coke and Regular Coke?
Although diet coke and regular have similar ingredients, they are prepared with different sweeteners. The demand for low-fat soft drinks gave rise to diet coke and regular coke.
Regular coke contains sugar made from high fructose corn syrup which is high in calories. At the same time, diet coke, on the other hand, contains artificial sweeteners that are low in calories.
What Else Can I Do with a Diet Coke?
Here are some other exciting things you can do with your favorite diet coke
- Diet coke will help you eliminate oil stains in a few steps: pour the diet coke over the colors, scrub the rusty part with a brush, then wash off the with a clean water
- You can use diet coke to clean and restore your coin if it looks dull.
- Diet Coke is a better option than other chemicals for cleaning the toilet.
- You can use diet coke to remove grease stains and remove blood stains.
- Diet coke can be used to clear away build up on your drains
Conclusion
From this article, we have seen that your chilled soft drink (diet soda) with a refreshing taste can also be used to restore a refreshing look on our rusty metals. To get the best of this method, you must be patient with the process.
