Electrolytic Rust Removal

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Pinion

Pinion

Joined
Jun 16, 2003
Threads
127
Messages
1,124
Location
Hull, Mass
I really like this concept of rust removal. I think I read it online sometime over the summer and finally got off my ass to put it together. Right now as I type, drink beer and watch TV, I'm removing rust from ~28+ year old steel rims. I blasted the front but left the back to see what the difference will be. Tomorrow evening I will have one rim done hopfully and another in the tank while I blast off any residual rust left over from tonight.
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Its driving the oxidation reaction backwards with voltage and a basic (pH) environment.
 
That method works wonders, I used it to de-rust a bunch of parts before painting. It's not as effortless as it seems though, you constantly have to keep the electrodes free of crap or it loses effectiveness, and it takes a while. Also it leaves behind some disgusting crap in the bucket. But for intricate parts it's great. I used powered dishwashing detergent as the solution, and try and put the part and electrode as close as possible for quicker results.

The rust converts to a black film that just falls off with a light wipe from a paper towel. You do have to immediately paint or protect the newly de-rusted parts or it will start oxidizing immediately.
 
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I was also using this method with some of my smaller parts, i found that a piece of sheet metal with a large surface area works best as the sacrifical lamb. I am going to ramp it up some and see if my welder set on DC will speed it up some.
 
Although it didnt work 100% as expected for me, it really did wonders on loosening up the rust for my sandblaster to quickly make short work of the job. I guess the small amount left over was just surface rust since it came off so easily with the media.
 
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