Easy way to remove rust

Ever wanted to remove rust from an old tool or artifact so you could paint it? Are wire brushes and acids just a little too much to your liking? Then Electrolysis is probably right up your tree. It's easy, it's cheap and it's a whole lot safer than using acids or other chemicals.

Its pretty simple, all you need is a 12 volt auto battery charger (6-12 amp) a plastic bucket, 5 short pieces of rebar or thick flat steel stock , a box of Arm & Hammer washing soda, and some thick copper wire. Fill the bucket with water and add ½ cup of Arm & Hammer washing soda, stir the soda until it's all dissolved. Place four piece's of the rebar across from each other (if it's a square bucket you place one piece of rebar in the middle of each side from the bottom to just above the top of the bucket). Secure the rebar so it won't fall over, small C-clamps work fine but any kind of clamp will do just make sure it doesn't touch the water. Take the thick copper wire and wrap a few turns around the top of each rebar piece so all the pieces are connected to each other by the copper wire this makes your positive grid. Next take your work piece and attach it to the center of the fifth piece of rebar with a steel chain or hook, and place the rebar across the middle of your bucket with the work piece suspended in the solution. Attach the Positive side of the battery charger to one of the pieces of rebar in your positive grid and the negative side to the work piece.

That's it. All that remains is to plug her in and watch the show. Once you plug in the battery charger, the solution will start to bubble and froth. Leave the work piece in for around two hours. You will see it turn to a dark muddy brown as all the rust is cleaned right off. From time to time you may want to wipe off the rebar in the positive grid as it gets coated with gunk slowing down the cleaning process. After a couple of hours you can remove your work piece, wash it off with soap and water, dry it, and its ready to paint.

It's very important that you know that this form of electrolysis produces hydrogen gas while it is in operation and should only be done outside. Hydrogen gas is flammable and care should be taken not to smoke or have any open flame anywhere near the bucket while cleaning. You should also take care not to let the work piece or the rebar that holds it come into contact with the positive grid while the battery charger is attached and running as this will make a spark. I use clothespins on each side of the fifth piece of rebar to keep it from rolling into the positive grid.

You will not believe how well this cleans steel and iron. Cleaning tools and artifacts that have been buried in the ground for years is a snap, and it also works well with sheet metal. It's also safe to throw out in the yard when you're done as it won't hurt the grass.