05-06-2012, 12:06 AM
I know you guys are looking more at cleaning prior to plating but this may also be of use.
I gave electrolysis a try yesterday and was surprisingly impressed with the results (I did have some doubt about the whole process). I found an old pipe clamp that had been tossed and was covered in rust and seized solid. So I grabbed a plastic container, made a 'ring' of electrodes to line the inside using an offcut of weldmesh, suspended the pipe clamp in the centre and then filled the container with water and mixed in some baking soda. I connected an old transformer style battery charger and the bubbles started instantaneously.
A little over an hour later and all of the rust and crap was gone and the screw turns freely now. The old paint that is left is starting to peel away and I think a second session with a fresh solution will clean it back to bare metal. As I wasn't sure if this was going to work or not, I ddin't take any pictures. However, I grabbed a rusted chunk of steel and run this through the same process, taking pictures (because I know how you guys love pictures!).
Rusty metal:
Beginning to bubble (the pond scum is from the pipe clamp):
Rust gone!
I gave electrolysis a try yesterday and was surprisingly impressed with the results (I did have some doubt about the whole process). I found an old pipe clamp that had been tossed and was covered in rust and seized solid. So I grabbed a plastic container, made a 'ring' of electrodes to line the inside using an offcut of weldmesh, suspended the pipe clamp in the centre and then filled the container with water and mixed in some baking soda. I connected an old transformer style battery charger and the bubbles started instantaneously.
A little over an hour later and all of the rust and crap was gone and the screw turns freely now. The old paint that is left is starting to peel away and I think a second session with a fresh solution will clean it back to bare metal. As I wasn't sure if this was going to work or not, I ddin't take any pictures. However, I grabbed a rusted chunk of steel and run this through the same process, taking pictures (because I know how you guys love pictures!).
Rusty metal:
Beginning to bubble (the pond scum is from the pipe clamp):
Rust gone!
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