rusty tools
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,191
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From: WA
Originally Posted by Franken-Truck
I went to Food Lion, they never even heard of washing soda 
The baking soda is working fine for me so far, and it was only 65 cents 
The baking soda is working fine for me so far, and it was only 65 cents 
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,587
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From: Virginia Beach
I definately checked the detergent aisle before I went and asked the kid at the front desk. They had Borax, and Colgate "Octagon Soap". . . no washing soda. O well, what I got works. To bad it is really slow 
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 941
Likes: 4
I use Red Devil lye for electrolytic de-rusting. You can buy it in almost any supermarket -- it's in the aisle with the drain cleaners (e.g. Drano).
Lye is sodium hydroxide. NaOH
Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate Na(2)CO(3)
Baking soda is Sodium BiCaronate NaHCO(3)
Lye is more hazardous to handle than washing soda or baking soda. But you don't need all that much -- maybe half a cup in a bucket full of water. The resulting solution is dilute enough that you can stick your hand in it -- though Safety Sam reminds us that it is better to wear rubber gloves and some form of eye (splash) protection.
Lye plus hot water in a plastic tub makes a reasonably effective "hot tank" for degreasing parts. That's why I tend to have a can of it sitting around.
Lye is sodium hydroxide. NaOH
Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate Na(2)CO(3)
Baking soda is Sodium BiCaronate NaHCO(3)
Lye is more hazardous to handle than washing soda or baking soda. But you don't need all that much -- maybe half a cup in a bucket full of water. The resulting solution is dilute enough that you can stick your hand in it -- though Safety Sam reminds us that it is better to wear rubber gloves and some form of eye (splash) protection.
Lye plus hot water in a plastic tub makes a reasonably effective "hot tank" for degreasing parts. That's why I tend to have a can of it sitting around.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: so cal
cleaning tools
I used this method today an some old Ford script wrenches and it really worked, I used some lye and a 6 amp charger I didnt have a 2 amp but it worked great, thanks for the tips ......Harry
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 417
Likes: 26
So, you guys that are using the rebar, or other chunk of metal, as the sacrificial anode (SA), are you rotating the tool very often? (I mean rotating the part already in the solution, not flipping it to get the other end in there.) The article in the link said that if the SA doesn't surround the tool then only the side facing the SA it cleaned.
To keep from having to rotate very often, I would bet you could make a pretty cool cleaning station by cutting up a steel bucket (if you can find one) and using that as the SA. Just slide it into the plastic bucket, put your tool inside it, and hook up the leads. Or you could get some steel plate and bend it to fit inside the plastic bucket.
To keep from having to rotate very often, I would bet you could make a pretty cool cleaning station by cutting up a steel bucket (if you can find one) and using that as the SA. Just slide it into the plastic bucket, put your tool inside it, and hook up the leads. Or you could get some steel plate and bend it to fit inside the plastic bucket.
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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I have a set of box wrenches that were mildly rusted. I made a soaking chamber with 2" PVC and used muriatic acid. It only took 10 minutes per wrench to clean them nicely. Muriatic acid is very nasty stuff, so a lot of care is needed when using; gloves, outdoor use only, etc.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,191
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From: WA
yeah, I rotated my parts in the solution. The side closest to the SA gets most of the action.
I did see an article that did it in a bucket, with metal on all the sides.
I did see an article that did it in a bucket, with metal on all the sides.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by fefarms
I use Red Devil lye for electrolytic de-rusting. You can buy it in almost any supermarket -- it's in the aisle with the drain cleaners (e.g. Drano).
Someone mentioned using muriatic acid - how does that reaction work with acid being at the opposite end of the pH scale from the lye? Does it even matter or do you just need something that will make an electrolytic solution? If that were the case, would rock salt create the same reaction? Got plenty of that around here...
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
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From: Wichita, KS
Muriatic acid is hydrochloric acid, HCl. It reacts with iron oxide. Basically dissolves it. We used it quite a bit where I used to work. Muriatic is pretty dilute HCl, not nearly as strong as the industrial grade we used, so it's easier to work with but will take longer to do anything.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by cokeman
Nitramjr, I don't think he was using the muriatic acid in the electrolysis process, just soaking the tools in acid to eat the rust away. Frank can correct me if I'm wrong.
Still curious as to whether other electrolytic solutions besides caustics will work. Especially since I have no lye and about 300 pounds of rock salt in the garage. Maybe I will just "conduct" an experiment. i've got plenty of rusty tools......
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
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From: Vale, NC
I used the lye and the battery charger last night and was generally pleased with the results. However, the tool is now a dull grey instead of shiny silver. Would another "dose" in the solution work? I've buffed it, scrubbed it, and steel wooled it to try to get the grey off, but to no end.
Also, in the vein of American impatience, would it work faster with more electricity (evil laugh!)?
Also, in the vein of American impatience, would it work faster with more electricity (evil laugh!)?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Niceville, FL.
Ever tried "Ospho" (active ingredient ortho-phosphoric acid)? Wire brush to remove heavy deposits first, then paint on. Turns rust to iron phosphate, a black protective coating. It will also brighten dull aluminum running boards, tool boxes and the like but should be diluted. "Ospho" used to be available a hardware stores, but I haven't tried to buy any in a long time.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 88
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From: Vancouver, WA
A lot of things are inconvenient to wire brush, but pretty easy to hold up to the wire wheel of the bench grinder. Takes the bulk of the rust and gunk off in a matter of a minute or two. Probably reduce your electrolysis soak time by quite a bit.
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