5 Best Rust Removers, Tested And Reviewed (2023 Guide)

Oct 20, 2023

Aidan Pounder is a Motor1.com product tester that has written automotive news content, car insurance guides, and extended warranty guides for HotCars, The Detroit Bureau, and other automotive sites. He spends his free time keeping up with European soccer.

Reviewed By: Charles Noyes

A heavy-duty rust remover that's highly effective.

A top-quality rust remover that features spray-on application.

A budget-friendly rust remover that's effective on calcium and lime.

The best water-based rust remover on the market in 2023.

A longstanding top product in the rust remover industry.

The best rust removers remove rust and other forms of corrosion from metal surfaces without damaging the metal itself. They work on a number of different surfaces and fully remove any sign of rust on metal parts.

Ultimately, all of the rust removers in this article are safe and effective to use. However, you should consider where you plan on using them and the level of rust you’re attempting to remove.

Determining how much rust is too much rust is a necessary first step if you’re looking to use rust remover. If you’re looking to remove rust on the exterior of your vehicle, you won't be working with any parts of the car that are actually involved in moving it forward – so the decision to use a rust remover, in this case, is more one of keeping your vehicle looking good.

This brings up the question of what to do if you are thinking about using a rust remover on a part of your car's drivetrain or a part that makes your car function properly. In this scenario, we don't recommend that you use a rust remover. This is because rust indicates a lack of structural integrity, therefore making it dangerous to drive a car with weakened structures.

Knowing where you can safely use a rust remover will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Some rust removers are designed for strictly indoor use within your home, while other rust removers are meant for chrome surfaces.

While there's no overarching rulebook of how to differentiate rust removers by the type of surfaces they’re designed for, we do recommend paying attention to this. Somewhere amongst the product description or the manufacturer's official website, you should be able to find information on where you should and shouldn't use your new rust remover.

To select the rust removers featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and rust care-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.

Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.

When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

Check Price

The WD-40 Rust Remover Soak dissolves rust and restores metal or parts to look brand new. This heavy-duty rust dissolver is ideal for auto restoration, tractors, farming equipment, antiques, trailers and hitches, and rusty tools.

This rust remover is volatile organic compound (VOC) compliant in all 50 states. This is due to the fact that the WD-40 rust remover is non-toxic, acid- and caustic chemical-free, and made with biodegradable ingredients. It should be noted that the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) classifies this rust remover in category P1, meaning it is safe to use in practically any setting.

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on 1,300 ratings

Many reviewers mention that you need to leave your metal surfaces with light to heavy rust to soak to truly remove all of the surface rust. One reviewer forewarns other customers that this rust converter is more effective on higher-quality tools.

Check Price

The only liquid-based spray-on rust remover in this review, the Iron OUT Spray Gel Rust Stain Remover is incredibly versatile. This multipurpose rust remover is perfect for those who like a little DIY work. This is because it can work on more than just rusty car parts, as it's fast-acting and effective on rusted areas inside and outside your home.

Iron OUT's formula is non-abrasive and does not contain hydrofluoric acid, a harmful chemical unsafe for use around children and pets. Whether you use this rust removal product on painted surfaces inside your home or stainless steel, simply spray on the rust remover and watch it clean up light rust quickly.

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on around 10,000 ratings

Reviewers rave over this rust remover spray, with many in disbelief that they wouldn't have to scrub down rust buildup with a wire brush until they saw it with their own eyes.

Those with negative feedback complain of the fumes and smell of the rust remover. We recommend using this product in a well-ventilated area to avoid this.

Check Price

The CLR Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover is an industrial-strength rust treatment that's tough on lime and calcium buildup while being able to dissolve rust with ease. The manufacturer, CLR, states that it does not recommend using this product on your car. You can safely use this rust remover on your car wheels – as long as they’re made from chrome or stainless steel – but certainly not on alloy wheels. However, it can be used on a number of surfaces, even fiberglass.

This non-toxic rust remover has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as it does not contain phosphate, ammonia, or bleach. The fact that CLR is EPA certified ultimately makes it safe to use around kids and/or pets. It should also be noted that this rust remover is certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for being 80 percent biobased.

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 16,000 ratings

A huge number of reviewers speak to the product's ability to dissolve hard water stains on dishes and cutlery. One woman claims her cast iron was left on her countertop dripping wet, and CLR removed every last speck of rust on her countertop. Reviewers with negative feedback complain about issues removing calcium deposits.

Check Price

Made from a water-based solution, the Evapo-Rust Super-Safe Rust Remover is designed to effectively eradicate rust from automotive, household, and industrial-grade metal parts. This non-corrosive rust remover doesn't consist of harmful acids, solvents, odors, bases, or fumes. Due to the quality of this rust remover, you won't need to worry about scrubbing or sanding.

To effectively use the rust remover, you’ll need to drop your rusted metal parts into the Evapo-Rust until all parts are completely submerged. Once rust is removed, simply rinse your parts off with water and apply a rust inhibitor, such as the Evapo-Rust RB018 Rust-Block.

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on over 7,500 ratings

Customers remark that their rusted metal parts look like new after treating them with this rust remover. One man says the rust remover isn't as strong smelling as he thought it would be, although it is a little sticky. Those who left negative reviews complain that this product isn't as effective as it should be.

Check Price

The Quick-Glo Chrome Cleaner & Rust Remover was originally invented in 1957 as a rust remover and metal polish. Present day, Quick-Glo's original formula is still one of the best rust removers on the market. This water-based rust remover features pumice, rather than sand or another harsh medium, to gently remove rust.

The fact that this rust remover is water-based means that you won't need the help of soap, buckets, or scrubbing power to effectively remove rust on your vehicle. Quick-Glo provides a protective barrier so you won't need to waste money buying more and more products over the years.

Amazon Review Score: 4.3 out of 5 based on 100 ratings

One reviewer claims they didn't clean their truck for over two years, but Quick-Glo removed all of the rust on its rims and left a nice shine behind too. Reviewers with negative feedback complain this product isn't as effective as they had hoped.

Rust is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to live with it. For vehicle rust, you have a lot of great options with any of the rust removers featured on this list. For a quick, cheap clean, try the WD-40 or CLR options. For a more gentle option for sensitive vehicle parts, the Quick-Glo rust remover is a great choice.

Many drivers simply view rust as a cosmetic issue, but this isn't always the case. Once rust penetrates the surface of your car and reaches the vehicle's frame, it can cause serious damage.

If you can start chipping away parts of your frame, then it's time to start worrying about the level of rust on your car or truck. The underside of your car and your vehicle's fenders are the two most likely spots for rust, but it can spread to other parts of your vehicle.

In some cases, yes, rust remover will damage paint. Acid is known to dull or even remove paint, which ultimately means you’ll need a less acidic rust remover if you plan on removing rust on your car's paint. However, a pH-neutral rust remover is preferable.

*Data accurate at time of publication.