Anyone have good luck using electrolysis to remove rust from wheels?

[MossRoad]

Yep. You add water to the tank. Then you add WASHING SODA. Not washing powder. Not baking powder. Not baking soda. WASHING SODA.



There's not a real good ratio. It's not too critical. Just look up a few articles on it. Heck, there's been a few discussions on TBN about it with lots of links and info.

I use old angle iron, rebar, etc... for sacrificial anodes.

Hooking up the polarity is important.

Also, beware that it generates bubbles and those are hydrogen gas. It can be explosive in a confined area, so do it outside.

 

[stuckmotor]

Moss Road,
What amp setting did you use on the welder?

 

[goeduck]

The more amps, the more explosive hydrogen gas is given off. Too much, too fast could go BOOM if something sparks. I would use a battery charger on low and let it do its job in a well ventilated area. I would let it go for days if needed.

 

[WranglerX]

Any steel that is expendable can be anodes.... Even rebar works... The more anodes the better....

There is so much written on i-net you should have all your questions answered after a evenings reading....

Dale

 

[MA1920]

This is a good video that describes the process. You need washing soda (not baking soda)

Rust Removal by Electrolysis: Use in the Restoration of Machinery - YouTube

Thanks for video link. Very informative. I'll do more reading and viewing about it. I'll try it in a few weeks when it's a little warmer... even though winter never really got started this year.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss Road,
What amp setting did you use on the welder?

Around 30 for the stair railing.

When I do small items, I use the battery charger instead.

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a link to the thread I remember here on TBN. Very good write up. I also bumped it up to the top of the build it yourself forum.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...sis-tank-restoring-some-very.html#post4141009

 

[stuckmotor]

Around 30 for the stair railing.

When I do small items, I use the battery charger instead.

Thank you very much.

 

[MA1920]

Here's a link to the thread I remember here on TBN. Very good write up. I also bumped it up to the top of the build it yourself forum.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...sis-tank-restoring-some-very.html#post4141009

Thanks for the link. It was a good read.

 

[DJ54]

I remember when I was doing a search to try this, it said NOT to use Stainless steel. I believe it had to do with putting off a poisonous gas.

And it's a good possibility it was MossRoad where I read he'd used his DC welder, and you know I just had to try it too. WOWSER..!! Definitely makes the water churn..!! I went back to the battery charger, after a couple minutes of watching it. Just wanted to see what it would do.

I use old mower blades, and items that have a larger surface area, if I have it.