I tinkered with electrolysis awhile back and like many I'm sure, was astonished at how well this process completely de-rusts ferrous metals. Has there been any proven additives discovered for the water bath that aid in removing paint also? The part I tinkered with was just rusty and no paint involved. I've understood from reading how the paint on an item MAY peel right off along with the rust, but am looking for a straight forward way to completely de-rust and remove the paint from several pieces of vintage machinery I am restoring and would like it to be simple and effective. All replies appreciated. Thanks, Ron.
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Electrolysis for PAINT removal?
- Thread starter RH2506
- Start date
It's not the best solution if paint removal is your primary concern, more of a secondary benefit behind rust removal. About the best (cheap) solution for paint removal is a heated caustic solution, commonly sodium hydroxide. You can add a bit of sodium hydroxide to your electrolysis solution, just keep in mind that it is no longer a tissue friendly solution; but you will not be getting the most out of it, non heated.
ZRX61
Well-known member
For smaller parts, boiling & then simmering them in water with laundry detergent works. It also removes all the dirt & grease etc.
Next time you incinerate something while cooking you can use this method to clean the pan.
Next time you incinerate something while cooking you can use this method to clean the pan.
spongerich
Well-known member
Wait until your wife is going to be out of the house for a couple hours.
Then put your stuff in the oven on the self-cleaning cycle.
When she gets home and asks "What's that horrible smell?!" just shrug your shoulders and say "dunno..." You should practice the last part in the mirror a couple times.
I've done a lot of electrolysis and paint removal is hit or miss. Cast iron seems to shed paint more readily than steel. Airplane stripper works great, but it's nasty stuff.
Then put your stuff in the oven on the self-cleaning cycle.
When she gets home and asks "What's that horrible smell?!" just shrug your shoulders and say "dunno..." You should practice the last part in the mirror a couple times.
I've done a lot of electrolysis and paint removal is hit or miss. Cast iron seems to shed paint more readily than steel. Airplane stripper works great, but it's nasty stuff.
If you do decide to go the sodium hydroxide route, please do a little research on it if you have never worked with it. It needs to be added slowly to cold water, Never add water to it. I have removed some paint from things with it, so i know it will work if mixed strong enough. Just be careful when working with it.
Hornman
Well-known member
If you have any rust under the paint, the electrolysis process will push the paint off. There does not have to be a lot of rust, just some. If the part you are derusting is fairly old, there will probably be enough rust everywhere to remove all the paint. The most commonly recommended electrolyte for electrolysis is sodium carbonate. Sodium carbonate is pretty agressive toward most paints. Add some heat to the electrolysis bath and you have a pretty good paint removal hot tank.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I saw an old house restorer cook ornate door hinges in an old covered electric crock pot overnight. Multiple layers of paint fell off when she took the parts out of the soup. Crock pots are plentiful and cheap at thrift stores.
koviack
Active member
It's not the best solution if paint removal is your primary concern, more of a secondary benefit behind rust removal. About the best (cheap) solution for paint removal is a heated caustic solution, commonly sodium hydroxide. You can add a bit of sodium hydroxide to your electrolysis solution, just keep in mind that it is no longer a tissue friendly solution; but you will not be getting the most out of it, non heated.
i use lye in my electrolysis tank and it hasn't burned my skin off yet. If i stand there watching it work and breathe the fumes i start feeling funny, though.
oldtractors
Well-known member
It works awesome for removing paint. I do it all the time.
Me too. I use it more for paint removal than rust removal. The only thing in my tank is washing soda and water.
Screwdriver
Well-known member
Fretters
Well-known member
I've done a lot of electrolysis and paint removal is hit or miss.
Same here. Some stuff literally lifts off, some stuff appears glued on.
i use lye in my electrolysis tank and it hasn't burned my skin off yet. If i stand there watching it work and breathe the fumes i start feeling funny, though.
A cold bath of lye has to be pretty concentrated to become a tissue eater, now heated it turns into a different and much more effective animal.