Electrolysis rust removal question

[thebanjoman]

Temp has very little to do with it. I just derusted a steering column in my outside tank. I had to break the ice to submerge the column. I left it in for 3 days and it was fine. Fortunately the outside temp was about 32 so the tank didn't freeze solid. As far as inside is concerned I used to have mine in the shop. As far as I can tell there is no fire danger at all, but after awhile I started noticing that I felt like I was having an asthma attach, so I moved it outside. I wouldn't put it in the house but a well vented shop may be O.K.. Maybe put it in the shop in the winter and outside in the spring. I've been using this process for about 15 years. I swear by it.

Been thinking of trying this process on wheels and the rear fenders.Seems like lot better way to remove the paint, rust, and the gobs of undercoating from the inside of the fenders.

A wooden frame with pond liner or thick mil plastic material should allow me to make the tank as large as needed. I'd use rocks at the corners to make a better form of the tank. A 'kiddie pool' would be too big and harder to dispose of afterward. I don't anticipate needing something big after this project. Frame should hold the amount water fine.

I'd have to do this in the shop to keep the neighborhood nutjobs from blowing a gasket so I'd make a cap for the tank and use the shop vac hose to vent it out the shop window so it'd be safe indoors.

Thinking out loud as most of the examples I've seen about this have been in buckets or trash cans.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Been thinking of trying this process on wheels and the rear fenders.Seems like lot better way to remove the paint, rust, and the gobs of undercoating from the inside of the fenders.

A wooden frame with pond liner or thick mil plastic material should allow me to make the tank as large as needed. I'd use rocks at the corners to make a better form of the tank. A 'kiddie pool' would be too big and harder to dispose of afterward. I don't anticipate needing something big after this project. Frame should hold the amount water fine.

I'd have to do this in the shop to keep the neighborhood nutjobs from blowing a gasket so I'd make a cap for the tank and use the shop vac hose to vent it out the shop window so it'd be safe indoors.

Thinking out loud as most of the examples I've seen about this have been in buckets or trash cans.

This probably won't remove any undercoating. Try heating it up with a propane torch, then use a putty knife to scrape it off. Use gasoline to remove what's left.

 

[Cool Hand Lurker]

I used the same method as 29wagon, ".... i only used 5/8" rebar and the loop i created with a vertical leg that stuck above the waterline that the positive end of the charger gripped to..." and it worked well.

Also, It is important that the vertical leg is above the water surface so that you can clip on the positive lead from the battery without it getting in the water so it doesn't deteriorate. And if you use a copper wire lead on the rusted part and the copper lead is underwater, you can get a copper plating on the positive iron rod as the wire deteriorates. Then the iron rod will not be as effective.

 

[thebanjoman]

This probably won't remove any undercoating. Try heating it up with a propane torch, then use a putty knife to scrape it off. Use gasoline to remove what's left.

What could it hurt to try, I'll report my findings.

 

[dave in australia]

This probably won't remove any undercoating. Try heating it up with a propane torch, then use a putty knife to scrape it off. Use gasoline to remove what's left.

It does Tom, it removes all paint, but not by dissolving. The gas produced slowly works it way in from the edges, lifting off the paint, it just takes some time. It also disolves grease and oil.

 

[thebanjoman]

This probably won't remove any undercoating. Try heating it up with a propane torch, then use a putty knife to scrape it off. Use gasoline to remove what's left.

Started this process with a rear fender bracket covered in undercoating in a 5 gal bucket.

My carbon rod hasn't arrived yet so I used a piece of the old spark/gas rod I replaced and a 14v power supply I had on the shelf instead of a battery charger.

After about 5 hours of 'cooking' its doing its job and the undercoating and rust is coming off so I may have a winner. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

After the carbon rod comes I'll switch over to it and probably start building my 'vat' with a couple of 2x12s I have and liner to start working on wheels and other pieces.