Are you suggesting that Evaporust would behave the same? I doubt it, there is a reason it has its own cult. It is much less aggressive than that stuff.

You used a phosphoric acid based product that has directions that read as follows: " Allow Rust Dissolver to work for 15-30 minutes on iron, steel, unbroken galvanized and galvanized surfaces where rust is showing at the surface. Note: Heavier deposits may require a second application."
http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/auto/paint-chemicals/rust-dissolver/

This thread has nothing to do with Evaporust.

Why did you decide to soak it for three days instead of following the directions?

Unfortunately I too think this was user error. Doesn't mean it's a bad warning though! It should just be a "make sure you're very particular about how you use it, don't slip up" and direct it at the human rather than "avoid these products at all costs".

You should change the misleading thread title.

I use Rustoleum and have to be very careful using it as it cooks the metal leaving it dark if left in too long. 30 minutes tops for me from now on.

If you mean Sno Bol, that is 15% hydrochloric acid. Terryb's guide to neutralizing alkaline damage is a much better method for dealing with battery leakage. Sno Bol won't do much for an acid leak since it is 15% acid.

http://k-chem.com/msds/SnoBol.pdf

Evapo-Rust and Rust-oleum are NOT the same. Rust-oleum is phosphoric acid based. Evapo-Rust is water based and contains no acids or solvents. Rust is the only thing Evapo-Rust will harm. You can leave a part in Evapo-Rust for days and the only thing that will hapen is the rust will be gone and if it is a higher carbon part, the metal could turn a grey to blackish color. It is only cosmetic.

I like evaoprust better since it is not caustic, and is more gentle on the parts, even if I forget about them and leave them in longer than I intended to.

As others have said, there's a reason why a lot of folks prefer it, and it is certainly not the same as other products even though the two products are marketed for the same purpose.

It's like the difference between powdered eggs and real eggs. They're both food, but one does a better job at being edible than the other.

I've used Navel Jelly with good results. Brush it on and let sit for 15 minutes, then hose off. I used it on my coin bezel panel to remove the rust, however some discoloring still exists from the corrosion. I can live with that.