
Electrolysis Rust Removal System
#31
OFFLINE
Posted July 06, 2010 - 07:35 PM
I'm thinking about making my own tank for this project to conserve space. If I proceed with this, then the tank would be long enough and deep enough and wide enough to allow me to totally submerse the complete frame of any Case tractor I am restoring. That would also allow me to dip hoods and fenders totally, as well.
My thoughts are to make the tank from 3/4" fir plywood and then line the tank with plastic sheeting that is sealed with silicone at the joints. I'd put a large drain in the bottom of it that is controlled by a plastic ball valve to make it easy to empty it and then flush it clean with fresh water. Let me run this by you guys.
Is there any reason why I could not place a series of rebar rods about six inches part on the bottom of the tank and just weld one piece of rebar to each of the rods at one end along with a single rod that would be vertical and stick above the waterline by six inches? Would such a placement cause the action to take place only on the side of the frame facing the rods? I'm thinking about the fact that my tank would be very rectangular and I'd like to be able to just drop the frame or hood in the tank, leave it for a day and find it mostly stripped but for the tougher spots Dan spoke about.
Case frames are a bit of PITA to strip because the dash support is integral with the frame. Rust on a frame is nearly non-existent. Any rust is usually surface rust and not crusty, flakey rust.
Media blasting these frames is time consuming and expensive. I was going to make my own, large blast cabinet so that I could recover the blasting media many times until it would cut any more. Open air blasting means you use the media once and the cost rises quickly. On top of that, it's hot, dirty, sweaty work and you are running your compressor full out for whatever time it takes.
If that does not sound like a good idea, then please feel free to make suggestions. It's better to discuss options then to build something that doesn't work the way you want it to.
#32
OFFLINE
Posted July 06, 2010 - 08:04 PM
When I blast outside with my pot blaster, I do it on a large tarp to catch most of my media. When I use all my media, I pull the tarp & gather it back up, run through a screen, then re-use till finished. Like you said...very labor/money intensive & no fun at all. I like electrolysis much better.
#33
OFFLINE
Posted July 06, 2010 - 09:28 PM
#34
OFFLINE
Posted July 06, 2010 - 09:42 PM
#35
OFFLINE
Posted July 07, 2010 - 09:20 AM
What diameter of rod are you using? Just curious.
#36
OFFLINE
Posted July 07, 2010 - 08:06 PM
#37
OFFLINE
Posted July 07, 2010 - 10:40 PM
#38
OFFLINE
Posted July 08, 2010 - 08:24 AM
Picked up some rebar and baking soda tonght. Now just to find some time to set it up.
You need washing soda, not baking soda. baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, you need sodium carbonate.
Washing soda if found with the laundry detergent.
#40
OFFLINE
Posted July 08, 2010 - 10:55 AM
If it is the latter, then what is the ratio of vinegar to the washing soda/water combo needed to get the desired results?
And is that.... white vinegar, malt vinegar, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, cane vinegar, red wine vinegar, coconut vinegar, white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, rice vinegar or one that I don't know about?

We need a little precision here.
#41
OFFLINE
Posted July 08, 2010 - 11:13 AM
And is that.... white vinegar, malt vinegar, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, cane vinegar, red wine vinegar, coconut vinegar, white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, rice vinegar or one that I don't know about?:D:D:D:bigrofl:
We need a little precision here.
hydriv,
Sometimes you slay me.


#42
OFFLINE
Posted July 08, 2010 - 04:38 PM
#43
OFFLINE
Posted July 08, 2010 - 10:01 PM
#44
OFFLINE
Posted July 09, 2010 - 07:46 AM
In chemistry, it is often used as an electrolyte. This is because electrolytes are usually salt-based, and sodium carbonate acts as a very good conductor in the process of electrolysis. Additionally, unlike chloride ions which form chlorine gas, carbonate ions are not corrosive to the anodes.
#45
OFFLINE
Posted July 10, 2010 - 10:34 AM

Edited by olcowhand, July 10, 2010 - 10:40 AM.