Electrolysis is the least destructive method of removing rust as it does not disturb un-rusted metal. Your finished part will be free of abrasion. This is a good method to use on a complex part that would be difficult to sand or wire brush.
Duration : 0:9:32
[youtube -8vT2mdXBs8]
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I like your video …
I like your video but the electrolysis method does require such ridged measurements.
I just dump some baking soda into a bucket and rock on. Thanks for your video.
DO NOT USE …
DO NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL!!! The electrolysis releases Hexavalent chromium from the SS as a gas that is carcinogenic to breath. It damages the lungs and liver and makes the solution toxic, which will poison groundwater (think of Erin Brockovich). Check with Poison Control or an Electrical Engineer.
Hello …
Hello wickedmessenger1,
I used your video to succssfully derust some pieces off an old wrought iron fence. Now I need to start on some much larger pieces, and was wondering if I could use two 12 amp battery chargers simultaneously on the same piece ?
hi!thanks for the …
hi!thanks for the video!, can i use this method to clean rust out a revolver???, how much amps does the charger needs to be?? can i use a small 12volts charger?
Thanks for this i …
Thanks for this i am about to get some rust from metal pipes in car that caused a failed head gasket
That was a good …
That was a good video, thank you. I think I could use this for a few special projects.
Thanks for posting …
Thanks for posting this, I’ll bear this in mind for future projects.
Tell me though, if the rusted item in question still had some paint stuck to it, I assume this would inhibit the rust removal process?
I’ve used Oxy Clean …
I’ve used Oxy Clean when I do it. It works just as well as Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
hexavalent chromium …
hexavalent chromium ummmmmmmmmmmmm
I believe it will …
I believe it will come off if there is rust under it. Otherwise it won’t be damaged or removed.
Could you use this …
Could you use this method to remove Chrome plating from a wheel?
thank a lot just in …
thank a lot just in time
hello …
hello wickedmessenger1 can you please tell me/email me what to use insted of staniless steel and salt because salt gives of chlorine gas thankyou
please write back
Do not use …
Do not use STAINLESS STEEL. The electrodes, and thus the chromium is consumed, and you end up with poisonous chromates in your electrolyte. Dumping these on the ground or down the drain is illegal. The compounds can cause severe skin problems and ultimately, cancer. Hexavalent chromate is poisonous.
USE REBAR etc.
Oh dear god, do not …
Oh dear god, do not let them touch! This will probably destroy your power source unless it has a fuse. They must never touch!!
Does it matter if …
Does it matter if the two objects touch?
I keep hearing that …
I keep hearing that using SS results in chromates in the waste water. Is this something people just keep repeating or a fact? Would somebody please send me a link to a site that will verify this? Sometimes things just keep getting repeated and are not true or not entirely true.
mmmmmmm……. …
mmmmmmm…….Chromium
More=faster. …
More=faster. However, don’t over-stress your power source. Control the amperage by the distance between your part and anode.
What amount of amps …
What amount of amps is good?
Agreed – do NOT use …
Agreed – do NOT use stainless steel. It’s toxic when it breaks down in this manner.
The rust must have …
The rust must have been fairly light on that piece. When I do parts, the water never stay clear for very long.
Lotsa good …
Lotsa good information there. Thanks for making this!
That’s exactly what …
That’s exactly what I’m going to use some SS and the amount of hexavalent chromium will be so small that it will not pose a danger to anyone
DO NOT USE …
DO NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL!
Electrolysis with a stainless steel anode will put extremely toxic chromates into the solution. Disposing of this solution is dangerous and very illegal. Just be safe and use a non-plated carbon steel. If you need to buy some, get rebar. It is cheap and works well.