Geoff's Science Garage – Electrolytic Rust Removal

by admin on July 21, 2010

2 Geoff's Science Garage   Electrolytic Rust RemovalHow to remove rust, using electricity…

Duration : 0:4:39


[youtube R5I5WBG5HPw]

{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

nibijib July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

@Jakyle1 Ah, good …
@Jakyle1 Ah, good idea.

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Jakyle1 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

@jazzwing …
@jazzwing bicarbonate absorbs smells

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jazzwing July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

You keep baking …
You keep baking soda in the fridge?

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ggariepy July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

The process will …
The process will remove the paint and the rust, given enough time to work. It loosens the bond the paint has, and then it peels up in strips. I think you’re further ahead if you hit the paint with a wire brush first though, it will speed things up.

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badderthanyou July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Does this get the …
Does this get the rust under the paint?

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watsupstartaketwo July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

@ggariepy woah, …
@ggariepy woah, thanks :D lucky i didn’t get impatient and just try it :D

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ggariepy July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

@watsupstartaketwo: …
@watsupstartaketwo: Don’t do this in any container you care about, especially a bathtub. My original bucket was stained permanently. I’m sure the bathtub would not fare well.

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watsupstartaketwo July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Hi, can you do this …
Hi, can you do this in a bathtub? Do you know if the rust will stain the enamel? Thanks.

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wolfman852010 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

@ggariepy
I’ve …

@ggariepy
I’ve done this several times and it wont harm the parts the negative cable is connected to.

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kbot6789 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

wow i need a new …
wow i need a new keyboard um a 70 amp psu and a 50 gallon plastic drum

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kbot6789 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

hi guys thanks for …
hi guys thanks for the info man worked great in my used bike shop now im planin on makeing one out of a 70 am computer powersupplu and a plastic 500 gallon drum just for bike frames saves a ton of elbow greese if you guys want pics of how i did it just let me know

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DarkAngel182 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

I assume some sort …
I assume some sort of rust resistant primer would be best for the base coat once the rust has been cleaned off?

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gatorman21218 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

No in order to …
No in order to decompose salt it needs to be a liquid. you will not produce any chlorine if its dissolved in water

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loco0351 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Wow i know i should …
Wow i know i should have paid more attention in chemistry class. oh well thank you very much i have learn something.

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318Captain July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

I think you might …
I think you might mean sodium chloride. But Idk if thats the same.

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pow0006 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

wouldent adding …
wouldent adding salt into the mix make chlorine gas?, since salt is made from sodium and chlorine.

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Shinigami117S July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

thanks!
thanks!

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MYSOFA July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Hmm, looks like …
Hmm, looks like curry in a bucket. Good idea!

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ggariepy July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

It won’t do the …
It won’t do the rubber a bit of good, but it’s hard to say for sure whether or not it will be harmed. The process takes paint off metal fairly well. If the trike’s tires are like the ones on pedal cars, they can be removed by cutting them off. There are replacements available for pedal cars; I wouldn’t be surprised if there were for tricycle tires as well. Good luck!

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elywhit1 July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

i watched your …
i watched your video and tried it, it seems to work very good . i am restoring a 50 yr old kids trike the wheels are rusted and the tires are solid rubber and can’t be removed will the process harm the rubber?

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abeltri July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Can´t way to try, …
Can´t way to try, I found more old nice rusted pieces to bring back to life than I thought.

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spinafire July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

5* I have Eben …
5* I have Eben trying to find out how to do this, it’s very helpful :D

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Xonegod July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

A table spoon per …
A table spoon per gallon of water. You may use the solution perpetually for multiple parts but eventually it will depleate the water through evaporation, the washing/baking soda will not deplete. Therefore you should add more water to maitain the aforemention ratio, but do not add more W/B-soda as it will not benifit your rust removal operation. :-)

After a few parts however, you will probably want to dispose of the solution because of crud.

Next time use Google its ur friend~!

.X..

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Xonegod July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Thank a ton for …
Thank a ton for this tip, I know most who will use electrolytic rust removal will thank you, under their breath, in unison. :-)

Further note: make sure that if you use salt for increased conductivity, to get the polarities of the part and electrode right the first time or risk having your part desolve, quite literally, before your eyes.

..X..

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Xonegod July 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm

The difference …
The difference between muriatic acid and electrolytic rust removal is that the former removes the rust compleately and seperates it from the “Good” metal. The latter of the two actaully restores the rust closes to the host metal back to actual metal state. Less pitting and deterioration of the patient part is the result.

It should also be noted that after a piece of metal goes trough the electrolytic rust removal it should be stabilized with paint or oil imediately after.

..X..

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