Electrolysis rust removal

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LC Cnd
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Electrolysis rust removal

#1 Post by LC Cnd » Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:06 pm

Attempted to wire brush all the rust off the tail frame end off an RD but could not get at the crevices before painting. Went and bought the necessary carbonate for the process (1/3 the cost of Tremclad gloss black) to see how it will work in 24 hrs. Be interesting to see what happens. I used household electrical copper wire for the positive and a steel coat hanger (stripped) for the negative lead. Here a the link on the how to set up the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j69rsiG7og4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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JonW
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#2 Post by JonW » Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:27 pm

Vinegar or molasses would clean that up as well, as would blasting, but interested to see how well this goes too :)
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LC Cnd
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#3 Post by LC Cnd » Tue Apr 24, 2018 11:55 am

Left over night and the results are meh. Perhaps it was the trickle charge did not produce electricity or the quality of the carbonate less than desired. Did bubble initially but did not scale off as much as I had hoped. Next apple cider vinegar.
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JonW
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#4 Post by JonW » Tue Apr 24, 2018 6:22 pm

The vinegar will work. Give it day and check but may take a couple to fully remove it. brush with stainless brush, you can get small ones at diy stores for cheap, wash off with water... but you will need to cover it will something after as it will flash rust quickly.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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evan_calgary
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#5 Post by evan_calgary » Wed Apr 25, 2018 9:32 pm

Have also tried that with some super rusty tanks without much success. Have seen some good results on the net before. Usually revert back to the rust solutions but they are fairly expensive. I think the ultimate is to use the strong acids but they require some prep work and setup.

hondaror
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#6 Post by hondaror » Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:35 am

You need a full blown battery charger. Trickle just won't cut it.
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evan_calgary
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#7 Post by evan_calgary » Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:24 pm

According to most of the internet do-it-yourselves a trickle charger is more than enough and cleaning the anode is more important as it gets clogged with rust and stops working. This may have been part of my issue. You definitely need an electrolyte in that solution as well be it salt or washing soda.

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JonW
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#8 Post by JonW » Thu Apr 26, 2018 7:25 pm

also doesnt the electrolysis method only remove line-of-sight rust?
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
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86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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hondaror
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#9 Post by hondaror » Tue May 01, 2018 2:17 am

I'll say it again. You need a battery charger, not a trickle charger.

I will post a method of cleaning up tanks later. I have to find the material, and I need to find some time.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
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JonW
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#10 Post by JonW » Tue May 01, 2018 3:50 am

I already posted one, vinegar works well.... ;)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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evan_calgary
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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#11 Post by evan_calgary » Wed May 02, 2018 3:25 pm

Other than the potential for dirty DC power if using a direct battery charger there is no value in adding more amperage using a hotter power source. This is a chemistry reaction. The theory of the process does not support requiring a battery charger.

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Re: Electrolysis rust removal

#12 Post by (F5) » Wed May 02, 2018 4:09 pm

To fool any smart charger use a battery with charger attached. Think that's where the charger type idea is coming from.

You need a big sacrificial bit of steel and clean it a few times. Yes you can need to rotate the part. But it is easy and effective I've found. Used soda crystals.
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