Electrolysis

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:05 pm

WOW!!! That's about all I can say!

I "converted" baking soda in the oven over the weekend. Added one tblspoon to a gallon of water, hooked up the electrodes, and powered it up.

WOW!!! What a strange, but very satisfying process.

The part is currently cooking away, but checking on it clearly reveals the rust is disappearing. I'm not exactly sure of the origin of the metal I'm using in the bucket, but it was magnetic. It almost looks like galvanized something or other. Not sure if that makes sense to any of you metallurgists out there. My only concern is that I'm not getting the brown sludge I've seen in all the photos on the forum. What I'm getting looks more like white fluff. Maybe better described like flakes of dead skin floating around the water.

Not sure if I should be concerned or just pleased that it is working. Any thoughts out there?

Thanks!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:02 am

Underdog wrote:WOW!!! That's about all I can say!

I "converted" baking soda in the oven over the weekend. Added one tblspoon to a gallon of water, hooked up the electrodes, and powered it up.

WOW!!! What a strange, but very satisfying process.

The part is currently cooking away, but checking on it clearly reveals the rust is disappearing. I'm not exactly sure of the original of the metal I'm using in the bucket, but it was magnetic. It almost looks like galvanized something or other. Not sure if that makes sense to any of you metallurgists out there. My only concern is that I'm not getting the brown sludge I've seen in all the photos on the forum. What I'm getting looks more like white fluff. Maybe better described like flakes of dead skin floating around the water.

Not sure if I should be concerned or just pleased that it is working. Any thoughts out there?

Thanks!

Sounds like yer anode is either galvanized or plated. Not a good idea! The products of this process with materials other than steel or iron may be toxic etc.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:10 am

I was afraid of that... Looks like I'll stop the process for now and start hunting for scrap metal during the week. If nothing comes up, rebar from the local hardware store...

cml · Post by **cml** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:42 am

I found a cast iron "bacon press" in the kitchen utility section of the grocery store for around $5. It works perfectly, and has a convenient wooden handle. When I was done with my electrolysis projects, I scrubbed it off with an SOS pad, oiled it up, and now I have a bacon press.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:12 am

Scrap sheet metal works great. Large surface area. Avoid stainless, galvanized, zinc plated.

So what are you derusting? What size/type of container? We love pics too.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:17 am

Presently, I'm derusting some small parts in a 5 gallon bucket. Last night my son and I did a Jacobs chuck, a dead center, and a spur drive. All three came out nicely. We'll work on getting pictures on forum.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:33 am

I should have added...

Stainless I think I can identify. As for galvanized or zinc plated, how do I identify those?

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:31 am

Underdog wrote:I should have added...

Stainless I think I can identify. As for galvanized or zinc plated, how do I identify those?

Put some water on the metal and leave it for a day. It will rust if its plain steel.

Galvanized looks like a metal pail, highway guard rail, etc. ...kind of a mottled appearance. Zinc will tend to be shiny and could be silver or yellow color.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:30 pm

That's ingenious!

Use what we we are trying to get rid off to our benefit. If it rusts, it will remove rust!