Electrolysis Rust Removal - Parts

This is a quick and simple way to remove rust from metal parts.

you need;
- 12v battery charger
- plastic bucket
- soda crystals
- bit of copper wire
- bit of mild steel (bar,rod or old tool, etc)
- water

WARNING the process of electrolysis produces hydrogen, so no smoking or naked flames!!

Step 1: The Solution

Fill the bucket with enough water to cover the item to be treated.
Add 1 table spoon of soda crystals for ever litre of water and mix.

Step 2: Wiring Up the Part

Tie one end of a 40cm piece of wire to the part to be treated and hook the other over the rim of the bucket.

Step 3: Wiring Up the Electrode

Tie one end of a 40cm long piece of copper wire to a chunk of mild steel, anything will do!!
hook the other end over the rim of the bucket as before

Step 4: Give It Some Power!!

Connect the positive (red +) to the electrode
Connect the negative (black -) to the part
make sure that the electrode and the part are not touching and turn on the power.
the smaller the part the quicker it will work.
as a guide I will leave the part shown here for 2 hours

The part will start to fizz before it gets to cloudy to see it anymore
 
Rust particals will form a scum on the top of the water

Rinse when done and dry throughly

Step 5: Just a Last Note on the Power

although i have used a 12v battery charger for a alternative i also use a old laptop power supply which puts out 19.5v. Not sure how much quicker it is but it shows you can use any extra low voltage DC supply. For real power you could even use a arc welder!! if you where doing something massive like a car body in a swimming pool......