Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Due in large part to comments and suggestions here, I have decided to try my hand at electrolytic rust removal. I have a pair of cast iron kettles that I bought the other day at a yard sale. I got them to match my antique wood fired cook stove that I am planning to put in my little shop after it is built. The kettles have a lot of rust in them. I buffed the outside a bit, but I just can't get to the inside with any that will efficiently take the rust and scale off. The inside is what matters most because I'd like to be comfortable drinking the water that comes out of these kettles. So, I have decided to try my hand at removing the rust by electrolysis.
I've posted a before picture of the first kettle. I wish I would have taken a picture before I started buffing the rust off the outside. It was pretty bad. I have the kettle suspended in about 4 gallons of water and 1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda. I have a 1/16" plate of steel bent to fit the countour of the bucket, and the positive terminal of a 6 amp 12 volt charger is connected to this plate. The negative terminal is connected directly to the kettle. I left this concoction to stew for about 3 hours and checked it. The water was very murky, but the pot hadn't changed much. I changed the water and started again. The second picture is the second batch of water after about an hour. I'm going to let it stew overnight and I'll check it in the morning.
I've posted a before picture of the first kettle. I wish I would have taken a picture before I started buffing the rust off the outside. It was pretty bad. I have the kettle suspended in about 4 gallons of water and 1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda. I have a 1/16" plate of steel bent to fit the countour of the bucket, and the positive terminal of a 6 amp 12 volt charger is connected to this plate. The negative terminal is connected directly to the kettle. I left this concoction to stew for about 3 hours and checked it. The water was very murky, but the pot hadn't changed much. I changed the water and started again. The second picture is the second batch of water after about an hour. I'm going to let it stew overnight and I'll check it in the morning.