Rust removal using electrolysis

[Mangra]

I used to restore old tractors and was thinking of setting up a electrolysis tank to remove the rust from old parts.
(Not stainless or chrome parts- these will cause leave a nasty chemical soup in the water)
Has anyone messed around with this process? I was going to use an old battery, instead of plugging it into the house.
I searched the forum and only found guys using stuff like phosphoric acid, diet coke, etc.

Here is a link for a simple tutorial.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electro ... aka-Magic/

Thanks
Robert

[kurt]

Thanks. I have never tried it but heard of it. I may give it a shot on my door hinges and an old forge I want to restore. It looks easy enough. I see in the comments a guy did it in a 35 gallon garbage can using TSP and vinegar instead of washing soda which I never heard of until reading this.

[jimharold]

A few years ago I did several hand planes and an old vise. It will get down into the pits well is easy to do. Look online at woodworking sites for more examples if needed. I used a 5 gallon bucket. A battery charger with adjustable amperage is a plus.
I also did the TSP in a barrel trick. The junk on frame parts just slides off after soaking for a week. I don't recall rust coming off. I was painting with POR-15 after the TSP so I didn't care about a layer of rust. That frame went into storage in 2002 and just last April I checked on it and no rust had came through. I am sold on POR-15. Good luck with your project and shoot back some progress photos. I would love to see big items done with electrolysis.
Jimharold.

[EGroscup]

I have done the electrolysis routine on cast iron cooking pans and a few other odds and ends. It worked very well and was easy to do. Erik

[magnumcharger]

I've used the electrolysis process several times with fantastic results. I submerse the part in a large plastic tote full of water, leaving a small area above the water line. I attach a negative lead of a battery charger to that exposed area. I place a piece of scrap metal next to the part, again with a portion above the water line, and attach the positive lead. I plug in the battery charger. I then add baking soda to the water, mixing it in as I add. When I start to see a reaction happening, I stop adding soda. I leave it as is over night. The next day, I unplug the charger, disconnect the parts and pull it out of the bath. The rust is gone. Heavy scale rust will fall right off. Its great!