Date:         Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:48:06 -0600
Reply-To:     Michael Knight <vwdormer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Knight <vwdormer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      electrolytic rust removal and other tricks
Comments: To: mknight@rodmanexcavation.com
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Hello there volks. Last night I did an experiment with my 9 year old
daughter. We tried a few techniques to remove rust from som old parts. So
are still in proress but I thought some of you might find these tricks
interesting maybe helpful.

4 - Rusty, nasty Cyllinders.

The first we submerged in a bucket of pure Vinegar.

The second we sbmerged in a bucket of molasses diluted by water(1 part
Molasses: 5 parts water).

The last setup we used is a rubber maid plastic tub filled with an
electrolite rich solution. The solution is water and Sodium Carbonate(Arm &
Hammer Washing Soda/Powder found near the laudry detergents at the local
grocery store). 1tbls. Sodium Carbonate : 1 gal. Water.

Next we made electrodes 4 (one is all that was needed) out of a piece of
"Plain" 1 1/4" X 1/8" x 72" steel (found at HOMEDE POT). We attached the
electrodes to the corners of the plastic tub with clamps. Across the center
of the tub we put a stell crow bar to hang the parts from. We tied the
remaining two cylinders to the bar and suspended them in the solution.

Using two sets of jumper cables we conneted all of the elctrodes in series.
This took 6 of the 8 clamps, we had a cable left over and connected one
clamp each to a cylinder. Keep in mind that the electrodes and the cylinders
are in no way connected to each other.

Next we added the electricity by means of Direct Current from a battery
charger.

Positive to the electrodes and Negative to the cylinders. In just a couple
of hours the rust had been blown off of the cylinders and any remaining on
the cylinders was converted to a black residue that was easy washed off with
water and a little scrubbing from a "PLASTIC" scrub brush.


As soon as the others are finished I will report on the effectiveness of
them. After an over night sit in the Molasses the clinder is definately
showing improvement the, vinegar setup, not so much.

Enjoy,

Michael Knight
'77 Westy Deluxe, "el Verde"
'85 Vanagon GL, nameless
http://photos.yahoo.com/electrictrain@sbcglobal.net