stt
06-06-10, 10:33 PM
I thought i would put up a post showing how i have removed rust by electrolysis - theres a bit in my build diary (http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148491) on it but i figured more people would read it here.
its really simple, you need:
A big plastic container
a battery charger
some sacraficial steel
something non conductive to support the items (bit of wood lol)
soda crystals
i used some thin sheet steel that i bent to shape to go around the perimeter of the tank,
fill the tank with water with soda crystals disolved in it (i used a bag (1kg) to about 50 litres of water)
suspend the items in the water - i just use cable ties to get them at the right height
wire the items you want cleaned together - i used mig wire
connect the sacraficial plates to the +ve terminal on the battery charger
connect the items you want cleaned to the -ve
swtich on , wait 24 hours (or 2 weeks if you forget like i did once) and come back to rust free items.
Works magic on all steel and doesnt damage seals etc
Once you take them out just rinse well and dry!
Easy
The tank
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7130/electrolysistank.jpg
A rusty part (the hub was as rusty as this but i forgot to take a before pic)
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6117/rustycaliper.jpg
The part after a good rinse in water and a quick wire brush!
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4688/hubafterelectrolysis.jpg
Im currently building a new tank that should be able to accomodate a rear beam
its really simple, you need:
A big plastic container
a battery charger
some sacraficial steel
something non conductive to support the items (bit of wood lol)
soda crystals
i used some thin sheet steel that i bent to shape to go around the perimeter of the tank,
fill the tank with water with soda crystals disolved in it (i used a bag (1kg) to about 50 litres of water)
suspend the items in the water - i just use cable ties to get them at the right height
wire the items you want cleaned together - i used mig wire
connect the sacraficial plates to the +ve terminal on the battery charger
connect the items you want cleaned to the -ve
swtich on , wait 24 hours (or 2 weeks if you forget like i did once) and come back to rust free items.
Works magic on all steel and doesnt damage seals etc
Once you take them out just rinse well and dry!
Easy
The tank
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7130/electrolysistank.jpg
A rusty part (the hub was as rusty as this but i forgot to take a before pic)
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6117/rustycaliper.jpg
The part after a good rinse in water and a quick wire brush!
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4688/hubafterelectrolysis.jpg
Im currently building a new tank that should be able to accomodate a rear beam