Rust removal the easy way.....

Doc Watson · 09-09-08, 04:46 PM

Thought I would share this with you if you havent seen it before....

ELECTROLYTIC RUST REMOVAL (ELECTROLYSIS)

(one of many sites showing how to do it)

I've already cleaned my Smiths heater box and am now doing the hubs from an atlas axle..... just make sure you ventilate properly.... hydrogen gas.........great for those hard to reach spots.

Do not use stainless as the anode use an old lump of iron.

Andy

Steve C · 09-09-08, 05:39 PM

Doc,

Great tip!

Thanks, Steve

Bill Musarra · 09-09-08, 06:06 PM

Doc,
This is an intersting subject, as this process is somewhat the mechanism for making a gasoline booster in the alternative fuel market. I will say, that along with the information given(which is pretty complete), be sure to ventilate if using baking soda. This forms high concentrations of CO(carbon monoxide) along with the hydrogen. The hydrogen that is formed would not be dangerous if it weren't for the fact that when mixed in air or with the oxygen that is produced as well, it become very volatile. it will burn 10x faster than gasoline and is 3x as potent as gasoline. All electrical connections should be soldered and not just the quick connects. Any spark in the vecinity can be very bad. Never disconect a conection with a load on the unit. It will spark every time. Have a way of turning the system off by a switch(enclosed). Do not even think of doing this in the basement and leaving unattended. It has to be well ventilated. There is another way that was discovered really by accident. Several of us HHO experimenters have made homemade torches of the Hydroxy gas. When a flame of the gas(several liters/min. passed through a MIG tip) is aplied to the rusted metal, it removes the rust almost before your eyes.
The baking soda is probably better, as the KOH or NaOH(drain cleaner or lye) are too caustic. The amperage has to also be dept low or the current will leach the lead out of the steel. The article is still a good article, just have to be safe. I do think that the process is a little expensive to do just a few pieces. The power supply and the ansillary pieces would probably add up to more than what you would pay a machine shop to do the job. All in all, it would be a fun project.

Bill

Doc Watson · 09-09-08, 06:59 PM

I use a 12v battery charger, an old plastic storage tub and a steel rod, cost me £0.95 for the baking soda. Be safe though!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures paint a thousand words.....

Atlas axle half shaft before and after. Two hours in the solution and the current was around 1A. The shaft was rotated 180 degrees after 1 hour to ensure even rust removal.

Cleaned with scotch bright, dried with the better halfs hair dryer (dont tell!!!) and sprayed with WD40 and cleaned again. The axle was immersed to just below the bearing (about 2mm off)

I will do the other one tomorrow.

Wayne M. · 12-13-08, 05:31 PM

I have done this and it works great. The recommend product here in the USA is Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.