"electrolysis" Rust Removal. Anyone interested in it?

[Angie]

99% positive going to build an electrolysis tank to remove some rust out my 2.8 heads for the engine currently being built. (and have for other projects)

If there is any interest in what I am about to do, I will document and post about it. Been doing some research on it, and very interested in trying this.

cheers

 

[sgtsandman]

Not interested myself but to chime in on the process. Good of the Land on Youtube did the same thing and the outcome was pretty impressive. If you need something like this done, I wouldn’t hesitate.

 

[Roert42]

What size tank are you looking to build. I've seen people do it before with a 5g bucket. Would be cool to see it done with a 20 or 30g parts washer size tank.

 

[fastpakr]

I did a temporary setup a couple of years back using a 5 gallon bucket and remember being impressed with the results. Though oddly I don't even remember what it was I cleaned now...

 

[Shran]

I've done it a couple times on old guns and car parts. Works good. I believe I used something like a laptop power supply, 24v maybe? More volts, more amps will speed up the process.

Good read on what to use for your anode:

Anode - Sacrificial Positive Electrode

A Detailed Illustrated Tutorial on How To Make Electrolysis Machine for Rust Removal: Anode - Sacrificial Positive Electrode p9

www.metaldetectingworld.com

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've done it. Works good. Go to a chemical supply house for the soda, much cheaper.

 

[Angie]

SGT,

"Good of the Land on Youtube did the same thing and the outcome was pretty impressive. "

Hi, yes, i have been watching a ton of these, hence, where i was able to get the idea from. never really knew much about it till now.


ROERT,

"What size tank are you looking to build. "

From what i was seeing, and the ease of it, I will grab a 45 gallon plastic barrel from work and make a 1 worth using... (LOL) big enough to place anything in when needed with 8-10 anodes in it to circle the tank. (even complete blocks)

FAST & SHRAN & FLOORED,

Glad to hear you have done it successful, gives me hope on this.

what got me looking into this was, thinking about boiling the rust out of the water passages in the heads. they aren't super gunked, but wanted to get them cleaner than they are. eventually went to Utube, and got onto this science .... (lol) and that was all it took.

Figured to ask in here about anyone else done it or interested in the process ... in search very little in the forum.

ShraN, will read that thanks ... FlooreD, .... from china tire, they carry the "Arm & Hammer" "So Clean" washing soda. this is what i will use to see how it goes for electrolytes. (cheap enough 5-6 bucks for 3KG) or so it says on a Google search.

cheers guys and thanks for the feedback

 

[Josh B]

I recall the Alaska Pipeline developing something like that for use on the pipe and thought I'd see how it had been working, I didn't study in to these but got a kick out of their headlines
Seems to be how they cut hair there now https://electrology.com/permanent-hair-removal/AK
And this one seems it hasn't been all beneficial https://chestofbooks.com/home-impro...ted/Destruction-Of-Pipes-By-Electrolysis.html
Not trying to discourage it though, that's really rather interesting
I remembered they had developed a method to use it on the pipeline there to reduce rust and corrosion

It's also how they separated the precious metals from the muck in the Homestake Mine

 

[Angie]

hey josh, no idea on using this for any health care stuff.... whole other kettle of fish i am thinking .... as for pipelines .... way above my pay grade .....

what i will start next couple days is..... a small test in a plastic tote to see how this goes ....

will start with the timing cover .... then 1 head at a time .... then if this works as good as i am thinking will source out to build a large one ....

picked up a couple boxes of the soap for the mix ....

will post pics as it goes along

Cheers and thanks for the interest

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

From what I've read and observed, electrolysis works best on a line of site between anode and cathode. So inside passages aren't affected as much as exterior. I used expanded metal around the perimeter of my tub when i did it.
Lately I've been cleaning small parts with vinegar. It also works good. Too good with cheap chinesium tools... I had a tire balance weight tool almost disappear!...

 

[Angie]

thats interesting about line of site .... what i will need to do then is maybe try a coat hanger and need to place it inside and around turns in the heads then to get into the passages and use 2amps and go it slower... ??? may work very well doing it that way.... ??? it is an experiment for sure. thanks for the heads up on sight of view.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Whats wrong with a wire wheel?

 

[sgtsandman]

Whats wrong with a wire wheel?

Depending on the corrosion, it just smooths and polishes it instead of removing it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Depending on the corrosion, it just smooths and polishes it instead of removing it.

Hmm.

 

[Angie]

hey rusty,

"Whats wrong with a wire wheel? " How do you get a wire wheel deep into the water passages inside the head?