Question about electrolysis

[drewdoo41]

I've inherited a large number of craftsman, sk and snap on sockets, wrenches and ratchets in need of some TLC. If I use electrolysis, will it remove the chrome plating along with the rust?
Thanks for helping out a newcomer!

-Andrew

 

[R-132 Fan]

It will pop the chrome lose wherever rust has formed between the plating and the steel. Electrolysis is pretty good for removing rust without spending a olt of money. Evaporust from Harbor Freight is also good on tools, but I would go with electrolysis if you have a lot of heavily rusted tools. I have used it on truck parts and one thing I learned is that the electrode needs to be clean for it to go well.
I use a ring roller to make up the electrode out of 1/4" steel stock to fit inside of a five gallon bucket. Stopping every few hours and wire brushing or sandpapering the electrode clean and shiney really speeds things up.
I bought a big plastic storage tub with the idea of using that for a electrolysis setup, but didn't like the way the sides sprung out. I got a round water feature made of heavy black plastic off of Craigslist and find that works much better. It was built to hold water and I can use my ring roller to make the electrode to wind around the inside up against the wall.