Rust Electrolysis Tank Setup, Ver. 2.0

[Coolerman]

Be kinda hard to get enough acid to put a truck body in...

Not to mention expensive... Kids? Pets? Plus the acid will remove GOOD metal, the electrolysis will not. This method is used by museums restoring iron parts all the time.

I had a WHITE cat that fell into my large tank once, she was orange for a while even after bathing her! Don't think she would have fared so well with the acid bath.

 

[Dave455]

No! Boric acid doesn't touch the good metal at all, it only removes the rust!

When people think acid they tend to think of the harsher kinds. Boric acid is very mild, it's even used as an antiseptic, so it's safe to handle, but it does dissolve iron oxide (i.e. rust!)

You buy it in powder form, cost is a few pounds a kilo in the u.k, and just dissolve it in warm water till you can't dissolve any more, then chuck in whatever needs the rust removed.

Usually takes a week, but leaving it in longer doesn't hurt! Yes, the solution turns orange, but steel is undamaged, and even blued finishes are left alone! If something is really rusted badly I leave it for a few days then rub the worst off with a scotch pad before giving it a final soak!

It's an old gunsmiths trick, but works brilliantly on tools, machine components or whatever!