I wanted to see how a $25 a gallon of Metal Rescue compared to practically free electrolysis performs. Both rusty parts were in the bath for the same amount of time and this is the results. The tie-down on the left was using electrolysis and the one on the right using Metal Rescue. The first photo shows what I started with, 2nd photo is after 3 hours, and 3rd photo is after 12 hours of soaking. Both Metal Rescue and the electrolysis solution are both environmental friendly. Both solutions started out clear. Only thing good about Metal Rescue is that it would be easier to soak nuts and bolts than using electrolysis. But as far as removing rust electrolysis has it beat in both performance and cost and also works in cold weather. Metal Rescue needs to be at least 66 degrees or better before it works. Electrolysis does need to be done in a well ventilated area because of the flammable gasses that it produces.
Electroysis results are impressive, far superior to Metal Rescue. Thanks for sharing. What solution is in the pail? I recall u having some past workin w/ this process.... Impressive
Yes, agreed. Thanks for the post. How about some details on the process? Can it be done without welding for those of us who dont have access to weld the re-bar?
1/2 cup laundry soda "Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)" to 4 or 4-1/2 gallons of tap water. Mix well so all soda is dissolved. Adding more soda will not make it go faster. Just stick one end of the rod in the water and the battery charger's positive lead on the other end. The negative lead to a wire tied to the rusted part you want to be rust free. Keep the battery charger's clamps dry. Give it about 3-4 hours and remove the part you're cleaning and dry it off with a shop rag.
I start off on 10 amp. If I'm letting it run all night I switch to 2 amp. The slower the process the better results. On these tie-downs I used 10 amps. If it was a part that would be easily seen, instead of under the car, I will use 2 amps.
Excellent information. I too use to soak rusty parts in vinegar until I saw this: http://1bad6t.com/rust_removal.html After seeing what 3 hours of electrolysis did to the "guinea pig" on rthomas's website I could tell that would be the way to go for me in the future!...
Jeff, That is a pretty trick bucket you have there. Obviously, there must be an advantage to using multiple rods, vs. just one or you would not have gone through the effort. Is it a matter of time, or does it work better with multiple parts?
Jack, It goes by line of site. If you use one rod then the back side will still be rusty, the anode can't pull it off. I think I could have got by with 5 anode rods but I had the rebar...so why not. I saw on a site where the guy used a 1 lb. coffee can, that way the rusty part got almost 360*. http://www.wwgoa.com/articles/one-great-tip/removing-rust-with-electrolysis/
Science is so much fun....hey I have a rusty car body, a 20 foot round pool, 120 feet of hog wire fencing and 220 v, I wanna experiment too! J/K ......I would only use my battery charger on 100 amps. Disclaimer: DO NOT attempt to do anything I dream up, I am deaf, drunk, old and crazy most of the time I'm thinking up stuff, it works well in my head but nowhere else!
