Building an electrolytic tank to derust.

[In The Ten Ring]

I've been getting by with a wire wheel, Evaporust, and Krud Kutter (phosphoric acid) but parts that need derusting are getting bigger and yet more awkward to hit with my wire brush drill attachment. It's time to awaken my inner Tesla.

I'll keep you guys posted on how this goes. I'll put it together tomorrow and get pics.

[hamjet]

It worked well for me about 8 yrs ago while cleaning tractor parts. takes a while to clean so have patience, and be carful whth sparks after its been cooking for a while, gasses form so do it in a ventalated area. I removed one of the leeds from the anode and it sparked and made a loud pop like a 22 short going off. scared me, LOL..

[snipescastle2]

you need one of the those big poly tanks/totes they keep oil in, or one of those tanks Farmers use to haul water, etc.....
Ben

[In The Ten Ring]

Thanks guys. I was going to do it in my kitchen and smoke afterwards. LOL

I'll do it outside, on the back porch. Yes, I plan to unplug the battery charger before touching the leads.

What about a kiddie pool for rockers and fenders?

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by hamjet

It worked well for me about 8 yrs ago while cleaning tractor parts. takes a while to clean so have patience, and be carful whth sparks after its been cooking for a while, gasses form so do it in a ventalated area. I removed one of the leeds from the anode and it sparked and made a loud pop like a 22 short going off. scared me, LOL..

How long would it take for a rocker panel with surface rust or a front fender with the same?

[GRX]

A kiddie pool will work. Just remember this is mostly a "line of sight" process therefore multiple Anodes may be required for large & irregular shaped parts.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

How long would it take for a rocker panel with surface rust or a front fender with the same?

From what I remember something like a fender would take 24 hours, depending on amount of rust. As stated multiple Anodes will be required for large & irregular shaped parts.

[In The Ten Ring]

Where would I get steel wire to suspend the parts from into the water?

I have plenty of copper wire but none of the instructions I have come across suggest using that.

[GRX]

I use coat hanger wire.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Where would I get steel wire to suspend the parts from into the water?

I have plenty of copper wire but none of the instructions I have come across suggest using that.

Go to a farm and ranch store like Tractor Supply. Get a small roll of bailing wire...its good for lots of things...kinda like duct tape...

[In The Ten Ring]

Tractor supply?

I called TS and they have galvanized wire, is that OK?

Thanks guys.

I figured that coat hanger wire would work but wasn't sure about the coating.

[srvivor71]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Tractor supply?

I called TS and they have galvanized wire, is that OK?

Thanks guys.

I figured that coat hanger wire would work but wasn't sure about the coating.

I've built an electrolysis tank and from what I've learned, galvanized is a no-no. Apparently, it produces a noxious reaction during the process. I was told the best wire is what is used to tie re-bar (click the following link): http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weyerhaeu...5337/202094311

One good source for instructions on electrolysis bath is The Garage Journal. Search their forums for "electrolysis" and you'll find lots of info. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

[GRX]

I sand the coating off the coat hanger. Good call on the galvanized wire. Was about to mention that. Not advisable to contaminate your solution with Zinc. Stainless and copper are not recommended either.

[In The Ten Ring]

Thanks for the warning guys! You got to me just in time.

I'll pick up some rebar tie wire tomorrow at Lowe's.

As for the rest of the tank, I can put it together tonight.

[michael bustamante]

post pics of your progress if you can

[swamp rat]

The wire used for tieing Re-Bar is what you want, comes in a small 4-5" roll about 1" thick it should be avalable anyplace that sells the same, it also makes great shop wire and can be used in gas welding too.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I've been getting by with a wire wheel, Evaporust, and Krud Kutter (phosphoric acid) but parts that need derusting are getting bigger and yet more awkward to hit with my wire brush drill attachment. It's time to awaken my inner Tesla.

I'll keep you guys posted on how this goes. I'll put it together tomorrow and get pics.

Tesla was an electrical genius but a chemical retard. A plastic tub and 3:1 water to muriatic acid mixture will cure all of your rust problems in less than 20 minutes. Muriatic Acid is a swimmingpool chemical available at any Lowes or Home Depot. Chemically, it is Hydrochloric acid; the same stuff in your stomach but more concentrated. No one ever called a HazMat team when some college frat rat puked on the floor at a beer bash and no one will call one on you either. Diluted with water it is environmentally safe, attacks ONLY Iron Oxide (rust) leaving the base metal untouched.

[Fitz]

X2

[In The Ten Ring]

Oh I probably should use hydrochloric acid but I have wanted to do electrolysis for a long time. I just wired up my first "tank" (a bucket) but I left my camera out in the car. I'll get pics when I run the process tomorrow.

[pritch]

Here's the one I built:

Half a 55 gal drum:


I made a cage out of rebar. I thought I heard to use copper wire, so I did:


Add a little bit of magic elixir:

(the instructions I was following said something about so many Tspoons per gallon, yada yada yada. Since I didn't really know how many gallons I had, I just used half a box)


My work is hanging from a shovel handle. One copper wire from the rebar, the other to the work:


Before:


And after about 2 or 3 hours:



Yeah, it works!

[In The Ten Ring]

Wow, that's neat. I'll get pics for you guys tomorrow.

I think for the rockers I'll use this big storage tote I found (yes, literally "found") and a kiddie pool for the front fender.

[swamp rat]

Muratic acid has such nasty fumes i had to resort to buying a 3M resperator good for acid vapors, but it kicks butt on rust removal

[In The Ten Ring]

Here are the pics:

I won't earn a Journeyman's rating with this wire job but it works.



Brackets before:



Whole set up:



Set for 12 Volts at trickle charge; the process began immediately.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Oh I probably should use hydrochloric acid but I have wanted to do electrolysis for a long time. I just wired up my first "tank" (a bucket) but I left my camera out in the car. I'll get pics when I run the process tomorrow.

Then it's an 'experiment' and not the solution to a rust removal problem!

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Then it's an 'experiment' and not the solution to a rust removal problem!

It's almost like somebody really wants me to use his idea....