electrolysis

moday · Oct 3, 2017

I tried an electrolysis tank last night. Lug nuts look the same this am...rusty and a bit of ford red paint. I used a tablespoon of lye per gallon. Rebar for the positive side and hanging lug nuts off rebar on some electric fence wire. I can use 10 amp setting on 6V and 12V and each only pull about an amp. I tried moving the parts closer to the positive rebar piece this am and seemed like it may have bumped up to 2 amps...or 1 1/2. How long should this take? I was expecting good change this am.

I have some BORAX and could try that too and a lot of people like the sodium carbonate (washing soda) but my friend said lye would take off grease and paint.

Any thoughts on this? How to improve it and how long should it take? Thanks

showcrop · Oct 3, 2017

You are trying to perform two different processes at the same time it is not going to work. The paint and grease will block the electrolytic action. Grease removal is a chemical process. You need to degrease first with Heavy Duty cleaner like dollar store oven cleaner, then the lye should enable the electrolysis. Paint will lift slowly with either process.

TJ in KY · Oct 3, 2017

Check out this site. I had good luck with it for paint and rust removal. You must have a good connection on the part you are trying to clean. I have even taken a file to part to get a good connection
Untitled URL Link

moday · Oct 3, 2017

I was told to use lye and paint will remove. The washing soda won't remove as much stuff...is that true? I'm going to try and get back connection between the parts and the wire hanging them in the solution.

showcrop · Oct 3, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:27:42 10/03/17) I was told to use lye and paint will remove. The washing soda won't remove as much stuff...is that true? I'm going to try and get back connection between the parts and the wire hanging them in the solution.

I have not used electrolysis, but from being in the chemical business, Lye should work better since it is more alkaline. Electrolysis will not break paint down but it will remove the rust that the paint is on so it will lift as I pointed out above.

TJ in KY · Oct 4, 2017

I scraped the bulk of the grease off. I had good luck with the paint coming off. I would pressure wash when they came out and/or scrub with a scotch bright pad
I used the washing soda and an old 6/12 volt charger

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David G · Oct 5, 2017

Nice difference

What amp on charger?

TJ in KY · Oct 5, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:41:32 10/05/17) Nice difference

What amp on charger?

It is an old (30years) 8 amp charger. When I first put the parts in it, if they are really rusty it would read 8 amps and slowly as the part is cleaned go down to 1 to 2 amps.

jimdog · Nov 5, 2017

I use a large fork lift 36 volt battery charger.I have seen it draw over 60 amps.I use washing soda and it will remove paint.I have to keep an eye on the plastic tank as it will get soft and flimsy from the heat.

electrolysis

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