This is the process I use for cleaning rusty iron parts for antique Hit & Miss engines and Tractors. It is simple, doesn't cost much and works great. Electrolysis is used to move the particles of rust from the part or relic to an iron bar. All the items are less than $15.00.
What is needed for a 5 gal. size setup:
A container. For my small tank I use a plastic 5gal bucket.
Battery Charger. The bigger the better. A 15amp charger will handle about anything
you can get in the bucket, but most of the time it will draw 6amps
or less. The part in the pics drew 2amps.
Electrodes. 1/2" Rebar, 1/2"cold roll round stock or other pieces of iron you may find.
use 3 or 4 cut to stick out of the bucket about 2" or so. This metal can be
found at Lowe's or other hardwares for around $6. Today I found some
rebar holding stakes that have a clip that can be bent down to hold it on
the bucket. They should work well @ 74 cents each.
Sodium Carbonate. The two best sources are a swimming pool PH treatment, Baqualcil
is one brand, Arm and Hammer Washing Soda. The washing soda is
getting hard find but some older stores still have it. The sodium
turns the water into an electrolyte.
Copper wire. The electrodes need to be cleaned at the top and wired together. I use
short jumpers with alligator clips but you can twist it on.
Iron Wire or small Chain. This is to hang part from crossbar into the water. I use a
welding rod or rebar tie wire. This will also be the negative
connection.
Three or four electrodes are cleaned on one end and placed around the inside of the bucket with clean end up, clamp or tie in place. Fill the bucket with water, add 1/2-3/4 cup of sodium carbonate and stir well. Hang the relic from the cross piece using the iron wire or chain. Everything in the bucket that will be conducting electricity should be iron. Connect the Positive charger clamp to the Electrode grid and the Negative to the wire on the relic. Turn the charger on. It will start slowly but soon it will look like it is boiling.
It will help if you brush the loose rust off the relic before you start. If it is greasy wash it in soap and water first. The solution is not hazardous and can be dumped in the drain or yard. It does produce small amounts of Hydrogen so do it in an open area.
Be sure your connections are on correctly! This is a copy of a post on the White's Metal Detecting Forum.
Terry
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4
