Electrolytic Rust Removal?

Mad Andy

Mad Andy

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What feels like a million years ago I used to sell an electrolytic cleaner for precious metals.

It was neither an abrasive polish, which removes metal as well as tarnish, not a caustic dip, which does the same, but a more gentle action which removed sulphur into solution via an electrolytic action.

More info here
Click for those interested

I digress.

I've been reading a lot recently about rust removal from guns and some websites suggest that polishing with aluminium foil, using water as a lubricant, has an electrolytic effect.
Using coke instead of water apparently is better as the coke contains phosphoric acid which helps by breaking down the iron oxide.

I'm keen to avoid excessive scrubbing which will remove excess metal and bluing.

Some people seem to go the whole hog with electricity and gubbins.

AI Overview:
Electrolysis rust removal uses a DC power source, an electrolyte solution (water + washing soda), sacrificial steel anodes, and the rusty item as the cathode to chemically reverse oxidation, pulling rust off the item and onto the anodes without damaging the base metal. You create a circuit in a plastic tub, connect the rusty part (negative) and clean steel (positive), power it with a battery charger, and let it run for hours, revealing clean metal coated in black sludge that's easily scrubbed off.

Any chemists onboard? Or has anyone any hints and tips or made one of the electricity powered electrolysis machines?

Thanks for any replies. Even if it's a "don't".
 
All you need is a plastic container, water, washing soda, a steel annode and a battery charger or a battery. Dissolve as much soda into warm water as you can, connect negative to the item and positive to the annode. I've used it many times for motorcycle parts but a gun would have to be really rusty before `i'd consider this. It's excellent for areas that are hard to reach.
 
A sacrificial anode. Like those attached to outboard legs. Sounds like the Qwicksilver plate, or the silver foil 🤔
 
Mad Andy said:
A sacrificial anode. Like those attached to outboard legs. Sounds like the Qwicksilver plate, or the silver foil 🤔
Click to expand...

In electrolysis the rust is drawn to the steel annode so it's not sacrificial. Sacrificial annodes are generally made from three main metals: magnesium, aluminum, and zinc, and work on a different principle, with more negative reduction potential and more positive oxidation potential than the host metal.
The difference in potential between the two metals means that the galvanic anode corrodes, in effect being "sacrificed" in order to protect the structure.
 
I have used this technique on several bits of kit, just got a cheap variable power supply off ebay, ( the old english made ones are great) a plastic bucket, Salt water a few bits of metal and your away. I found a sweet spot messing with the volts and amps , but was great 👍🏻.
 
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