How to clean this iron item

[Rustycans]

Any hints on how to clean this iron bookend. It's about 5 inches tall and has two pirates burying a treasure chest. It appears to be cast iron. I have cleaned things in both Oxalic and Cirtric acid before but this time I ended up with a white film on some of the metal. Any hints on cleaning this such as the best acid to use on iron items, how can I keep it from re-rusting without making it oily, etc. I would love to use it on my book shelves. Thanks...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...teBookEnd1.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[momof3]

I'm probably the last person to ask, but I've been having problems in my home w/ well water and rust in toilets and tubs and my pipes. I found this really awesome stuff called Iron Out, you have to get the powder, Walmart sells it, mix it with water and soak whatever your trying to clean. I've used it on some things I dug up and it helped some. I didnt care what if it damaged what I had only because I was experimenting. I do not know if it will damage what you have or not!

Why don't you try electrolisis and then put on 2 coats of clear laquer. Allyou need is a 12 volt battery charger and a pan.

[Rustycans]

Are there directions somewhere on this site. never tried that before. thanks...

[Harry(PA)]

The photos are poor due to lighting in basement.
I use a Sears battery charger. A plastic dish washing pan. A poece of stainless steel. a few table spoons of baking soda

put clips on the item and the SS than turn it on. Watch the bubbles and if they come from the item your OK if from the SS than reverse them.

Small items like coins you must watch closely. large items like axe heads or large iron items can run for a few days.

You will than remove the item and start to lightly tap it with a small hammer to remove large hunks of rust. pick at it or gently wire brush it to get off the light rust.

You may have to do this many times and keep refreshing the water and the baking soda.

Screen the rust and iron flakes into the trash. I don't think you will want to dump it down the drain.

Finally you place it in the ovan at 350 degrees for a1/2 hour to dry out and demove moisture.

Than immediately spray with clear acrilic spray paint to prevent rusting and make it purty.

If you let it set a day it will start rusting again.

I added photos but ain't sure I did it right

[hoser]

As far as something old and made of cast iron, there are places out there that can do "non-distructive sand blasting" using a media made from crushed walnut shells. This is quite effective in removing the scale and old rust without doing any real damage the the underlying metal. Some places will also use plastic shot to do the same thing. If all else fails this may be something to look into.

[HOTDIGGER1]

You could try to put in a pan of olive oil, then use a brass brush, this takes some time, but works well