FYI: De-rusting using electrolysis

[fluxcored]

For those not in the know.

Lots of info available on the web.

It works. I use washing soda and a small DC 12 V power supply.

[modelengineer]

Yeah, I used it to de-rust my shaper when I bought it. Washing soda and a car battery charger, or a propper 12 volt source if you have it, works perfectly.

[sayre315]

so where do i get washing soda
and how do i hook it up?

[2or3wheels]

what are you talking about?

[modelengineer]

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

[jr dragster Tyler]

Sorry but I like a nice paint job and NOT a rusty kart. I know mines a bit rusty but it's getting a REAL paint job this winter.

[newrider3]

Thats why he said DE-rusting.

[jr dragster Tyler]

Sounds to me like intentional rusting?
"Electrolysis is a technique for returning surface rust to iron."
I did read online a similar process for CREATING rust on purpose.

[newrider3]

Do you watch the Powerblock on weekends? They did a how to on removing rust using this process on Trucks. I've also seen an article in Four Wheeler magazine.
Besides, slight surface rust is tits. I rawed the handlebars and cranks on my bike, and it looks nice enough by itself. I'm waiting for it to gain a little natural color, then I'll hit 'em with clear.

[sayre315]

Mr. Tyler
have you ever seen ar heard anything about electro plating?
if you go (i think) + copper and - to zinc (it doesnt realy matter wat metal these are just examples) then the zinc plates the copper but if you go - copper and + zinc then its the other way around, the copper plates the zinc

[kibble]

"Electrolysis is a technique for returning surface rust to iron."

Yes, it basically means that you're "converting" the rust back into the iron from which it formed.

[fluxcored]

Just be careful if you do use this guys. Stick with washing soda and use mild steel sacrificial rods.

Otherwise the chemical process may generate some nasty stuff.

Tyler, I use it to refurbish old parts or tools. Would'nt really use it for restoring a kart.

[modelengineer]

Sounds to me like intentional rusting?
"Electrolysis is a technique for returning surface rust to iron."
I did read online a similar process for CREATING rust on purpose.

If you switch the polarity then you will make the part rust VERY quickly, rather than de-rusting.

[fluxcored]

If you switch the polarity then you will make the part rust VERY quickly, rather than de-rusting.

:roflol:

After a few days there will be no part left!

[jr dragster Tyler]

Do you watch the Powerblock on weekends? They did a how to on removing rust using this process on Trucks. I've also seen an article in Four Wheeler magazine.
Besides, slight surface rust is tits. I rawed the handlebars and cranks on my bike, and it looks nice enough by itself. I'm waiting for it to gain a little natural color, then I'll hit 'em with clear.

I guess my kart get's alot of tit's.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Do you watch the Powerblock on weekends? They did a how to on removing rust using this process on Trucks. I've also seen an article in Four Wheeler magazine.
Besides, slight surface rust is tits. I rawed the handlebars and cranks on my bike, and it looks nice enough by itself. I'm waiting for it to gain a little natural color, then I'll hit 'em with clear.

Thats called browning.

[oscaryu1]

If you switch the polarity then you will make the part rust VERY quickly, rather than de-rusting.

Now all I need is a enemy...

[kibble]

If you switch the polarity then you will make the part rust VERY quickly, rather than de-rusting.

Which is perfect if you want your own "go kart mozart" style Rust Rocket in a fraction of the time! :arf:

[jr dragster Tyler]

LOL kibble.

[brendonv]

Another nifty thing my dad taught me. Bi carb soda and warm water eats corrosion so if u have corrosion on ur battery terminials or anything electrical or watever then mix some bi carb up with water and then pour it over. Its bubbles and eats it faster than u can think. Amazing stuff. My dad does it to his boat batteries like once a year. Then u put a blob of grease on it so it doesnt corrode again.

[skid20]

Be careful! I build hydrogen cells and some of the same products are used for a electrolyte base. After the current is applied for a period of time (especially with baking soda) there are bi-products that form a fairly harsh acid. Do not get that on your skin. Dispose of it by dilluting with a large amount of water. The best electrolyte base to use is KHo (potassium). It is more pure and does not have other chemicals in it's makeup as does washing sodas etc...

[frederic]

An even easier solution to converting rust to a hard, paintable primer is to use a product called "Ospho" available at Ace Hardware type places (hardware stores, home centers, etc).

Wire brush off the flaky stuff, brush on the Ospho and let it dry to a nice pickled finish, then paint over with a primer and/or paint of your choosing.

Using this method, I restored my F350 crewcab's frame and suspension in a day, and that truck has one big frame.

Electric de-rusting is neat, but it's time consuming for essentially the same results as chemical conversion.

[t0x1k]

Ospho is **** expensive though...I work at an Ace, it only costs us a few bucks per case. **** markup.
Home depot sell similar stuff call phosphoric acid. Brush it on and let it sit overnight then paint.

[frederic]

That's all ospho is, phosphoric acid with some filler.

The last quart I bought at my local Ace was $12. Two bottles was enough to brush onto my F350 crewcab frame as well as the underside of the cab and the underside of the bed.

Since it has the consistency of water, a lot of it dribbles off which I collect in an alumimum pie pan to brush right back on somewhere else ;-)