[Spridgets] Electrolysis Rust Removal
Michael Rowe
mdrowe at optonline.net
Sun Mar 22 12:11:49 MST 2009
>Did you actually try the electrolysis rust removal trick. I'm thinking of using it on my
>BE Grille. It's got some bad chrome and pitting. Want to remove the rust and then
>I'll likely use some Kentucky Chrome on it for now(Chrome paint in a spray can).
>Looking to hear your experience with electrolysis.
WARNING TO ALL:
Chromium is extremely toxic and I don't know how it will respond to this method. If the surface chrome is an oxide, then elemental chromium certainly will plate out on the sacrificial iron - nasty stuff. If it is not an oxide, then it might be unaffected, like metallic iron. Any chemists who can respond?
There is a caution against using stainless steel for the sacrificial plates because of its chromium content. If anyone find information on treating chromed parts, please let us know.
Yes, I have used this method, and it will take ALL rust off, leaving a gooey black coating to wash off an a pitted surface. It does not affect metallic iron so you can't over-treat. Heavier rust takes longer. The effect is line-of-sight, so you may have to fiddle with locations of the sacrificial iron. I use four 2' pieces of rebar wired together, and I hang rusted pieces on a wire off a stick across the top of the bucket - red to the rebar, black to the rust. It couldn't be simpler
Michael Rowe
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