Rust stripping Electrolysis tank
 

I have been looking for a easy way to remove the rust from odd shaped parts and was looking at sandblasting, but it is too messy and kind of expensive to get setup and continually buying media. With the electrolysis only using washing soda, (which is harmless and can be dumped on the ground when finished) is a good alternative.

I decided to build a tank for electrolysis out of a 55 gallon drum I picked up on craigslist. I went the 55 gallon route because I am going to be restoring my snow thrower and tiller soon and want the large capacity. I used the setup found at http://1bad6t.com/rust_removal.html as a basis to my tank design. Since it will be stored outside between the garage and shed, I wanted to still be able to use the lid so it would be water tight. I have only been able to get the rebar mounted that will act as the electrodes. will update as I get further along.

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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I decided go with 6 electrodes to get good line of sight coverage.

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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I tacked a 1/4-20 bolt to the rebar to mount it to the tank, and also to connect the wiring.

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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I ran the wires on the inside for a cleaner look.

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Electrolysis tank by yamaguy, on Flickr

Here it is so far all sealed up. I put a 1/4-20 coupling on the outside of one of the bolts that the battery charger lead can hook to (not pictured)

It has the ability to strip 31" high at a time. I can't wait to use it!!

Dale that's a swet setup! Looking very forward to your updates!

Same here! :ThumbsUp:

This is making me very interested in electrolysis. Keep us updated..

Looking good so far . Keep it coming . :beerchug:

nice, nice... I've got a few of those state chemical barrels. Do you plan on just keeping the same water in all the time, or thought about putting a drain at the bottom?

I want to put a drain, but I need to see if the brass will be ok in the tank first. That is today's task I hope. Anyone have any insight to this?

Maybe try a plastic drain?

I had a chance to finish setting up the electrolysis tank and to try it out.

I took an extra piece of rebar and welded a C-clamp to it to hang parts from.
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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I drilled holes in the barrel to pass another piece of rebar to support the part hanger.
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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I placed it outside between the garage and shed. Don't mind the placement of the charger, I plan to put it in the garage on the work bench so it will be out of the weather.
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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I started to "treat" the depth guide wheel for my Brinly Cat-0 plow, but took it out after a few hours so that I could cook the battery tray for the 882.
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Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

Even though it was only in there for 3 hours you could tell a big difference in person, but it will take an overnight soak to really clean it up.I had the battery tray cooking overnight and there was a huge improvement in the rust. Pics to follow

Overall so far I would say if you have odd shaped parts that are rust covered and don't have a sandblaster the electrolysis tank is the way to go. I would say if you follow the link I posted earlier only use a 1/3 cup of the washing soda per 5gallons of water (I used more). It also seems that once the water has a bit of rust in it it seems to allow the battery charger to be turned to a higher setting. When I put the first piece in I had to turn it down to the 6v setting or the amp gauge on the charger was almost maxed out. With my second piece I can have the charger at max output. I am not sure if things go faster at the higher setting, so if anyone has any insite that would be great.

Great set-up.:beerchug:

What I did to help speed things along was that I slopped some potent paint stripper all over the nose of my #122 & really speeds things up.

Nik,

that would work, with rubber gaskets and plenty of silicone!!

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I need more of an oblong tank sooner or later, I've got about 3 different size setups going from a 2 gal paint pail to a 30 gal rubbermaid container. Something big enough to put a deck in would be awesome.

I would use a Uniseal. They are designed for uses like this. They are used in the aquariums. They are fairly cheap too.

A link with sizes and prices not sure if this is the best place to get them. I just wanted to show you what they looked like.


http://www.tank-depot.com/product.aspx?id=161

I have played with that some but never to that extent. That looks like a sweet setup. Hmmm, I have a 55 gal barrel and some rusty parts too, lol. Thanks for sharing!:beerchug:

Well today I finished the piece that totally proves to me that the electrolysis is the way to go.

Yesterday I put the depth wheel from my Brinly plow in the tank for about 20 hours.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/...f168a3766c.jpg
Untitled by yamaguy, on Flickr

I know that it is just surface rust, but it was totally covering the wheel.

After I pulled it out the rust that was left just wiped off with a towel. I then rinsed it off with the hose and I could see bare metal in alot of spots. I hit it with a wire cup brush on my drill. It looked so good after just a few minuets of wire wheeling!!!!
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IMG_0936 by yamaguy, on Flickr

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IMG_0931 by yamaguy, on Flickr

Another advantage is that there is almost no dust kicked up when you hit it with the wire wheel!!

It is all painted up now (no pics yet). I can't wait to do the rest of the plow, it is orange because of the rust! Pics to follow!!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/...af690c66b6.jpg
photo 2 by yamaguy, on Flickr

Looks great Dale. I have a blue 55 gal like yours that I just cut the top out of. I haven't set it up yet because I'm a bit disappointed that I can't get my frame in there. It'll go in until it hits the footrests, then you can turn it and do the other end, but there'll be about a whole 12" of frame that can't get in the water no how, no way.

Guess I'll still go ahead with it and get the middle with some kind of stripper or something.

Nik, you said you used a stripper prior to putting the parts in your electrolysis tank? That seems like a conflict of chemicals... (?)

Dale it's doing a great job!

Ditto! Looks nice, Dale. :ThumbsUp:

where do you get the washing soda? I use Lye.

A grocery store (or even Wally World, perhaps) will have washing soda.

Dave-

I never had a problem with that...I'd use paint stripper first, then put the part right in the electrolysis tank. No reaction will occur, as washing soda is a base, and I'm 99% sure most paint strippers are a REALLY strong base.

Hey Dave,
I was thinking today. I see hot tubs on craigslist free section all the time with bad pumps or something. Some would be big enough to do a whole G. tractor, lol. Not sure how much it would cost but what about a small pond liner or maybe even kiddy pool if you can find one deep enough. There pretty cheap.

Larry