Restoration Tip: Electrolysis Derusting

[Harry Moon]

I think we should put the best information at the top of this thread so the next guy doesn't use a pound of sodium carbonate per gallon instead of a teaspoon or two.
like I just did and then came in after everything is set up only to read the rest of the thread again.

[Bob Carriere]

So what happened Harry....... did you bubble off the whole neighbourhood....

.....geez I am still laughing..... boy no heart burn for you !!!!!!

Bob

[Jacques Reed]

I note phosphoric acid and mollasses has been mentioned in the post a couple of times. I have used those means to de-rust most of my parts smaller than the chassis and cab floor.
For those that may want to try the phosphoric acid method, it is available as various metal prep solutions at most auto parts stores but it is a very expensive way to obtain it.
I obtain 5 litre to 20 litre drums of the stuff from ship's chemical suppliers. Commonly called "rust stain remover" it is used to tidy up paint on ships to save frequent repainting. Thats how cruise ships stay white and U-boats became rusty brown in the winter North Atlantic.
Some brands are Unitor, Allied Chemicals, Gamlen to name a few. I use in Australia "Scale Off" made by True Blue Chemicals.
Although it is an acid, about a 5% solution, and gloves are required if you get some on your fingers they won't dissove or even burn. the fact I am typing this reply proves it.

Brgds,

[jack neville]

I have tried this method using a small wheelie bin to which I added a kilo of washing soda. Worked well but my battery charger kept clicking on and off. The bigger the piece to clean the less the charger stayed on before clicking off. I am using a 12 volt charger, 2200 miliamp. Is it too small? I want to get a large wheelie bin as I like the method. Can someone recommend the charger I would be best using for best results.

I am still not sure what the best recommended ratio of washing soda to water is. There are a couple of suggestions in this thread.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by jack neville

I have tried this method using a small wheelie bin to which I added a kilo of washing soda. Worked well but my battery charger kept clicking on and off. The bigger the piece to clean the less the charger stayed on before clicking off. I am using a 12 volt charger, 2200 miliamp. Is it too small? I want to get a large wheelie bin as I like the method. Can someone recommend the charger I would be best using for best results.

I am still not sure what the best recommended ratio of washing soda to water is. There are a couple of suggestions in this thread.

Hi Jack,
If you are using only a charger, why not use a battery, with the charger connected to it, may stop the charger cutting on and off.

regards, Richard

[maple_leaf_eh]

@Jack - I think you need to read through the thread to see what ratios to use. I think you are too rich with the soda. The power supply might be working too hard. In my opinion, less soda is better than lots of soda.

[Bob Carriere]

The size of the parts and the size of the sacrificial electrode will dictate the current needed.

We used a plastic 45 gallons / 200 + liters........with a Lye solution. Had a huge sheet of stainless steel curled on the inside of the drum parts were suspended in the center.....like axle suspended from the tractor front loader.

I ran a ten amp bat. charger connected to 2 huge truck batteries. In 3 hours the axle housing was cleaned and both batteried were near dead.

Batteries were recharged overnite and the other half of the axle done.

Scums and gas bubbles on top was an inch thick...... we did this outside in the open so fumes or hydrogen gas was not an issue. Lye was strong enough to require gloves but it removed paint and hard caked gear oil residue like you would not believe.

Rinsed with the pressure washer....sun dried and phospated...sun dried and painted with POR 15.

To run this process on a large scale would require a large and expensive bat. charger...... batteries was quicker for us.

Bob

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Jack,
Try changing the size of your other plate. I use a small 4 amp battery charger, and just varied the size of the plate I clamped the Neg. lead to until the it stopped cutting out.
Rich.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Jack - I have had trouble with chargers as well. The problem with the modern chargers is that they have a safety cut-out making it think that what it is connectd to is charged. Old fashioned chargers are the best. All the recipies are contained within this thread.

Bob