Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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Electrolytic rust cleaning
I want to use a low tech electrolytic process to remove rust and stains from hand planes - usually made of grey cast iron with blades of steel.
John Wilson- Riverside, California
2003
A tablespoonful of washing soda ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , (not caustic soda - which I think you might know as Lye?), in a gallon of water. A lump of iron or stainless steel (stainless won't erode) as the anode (positive) and the article to be cleaned as the cathode (negative). Connect to a battery charger ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (12 volt) and leave for an hour or two. The rust will become blackened. Rinse it off under a tap - use a Scotchbrite scouring pad if you like. Nothing will be removed but the rust. Any bright steel will remain bright. Widely used for cleaning old hand tools - try it on a rusty spanner (wrench) of something first - you'll be amazed. Remove wooden handles if you can - otherwise don't leave them submersed too long.
Dave Fisher- Northants, England
2003
The use of stainless steel for the donor is dangerous and NOT recommended as there are highly toxic byproducts produced if it is used.
Fin Fagin- Vlahalla, Georgia, USA
2006
Hi, Fin. Please expound, I've never heard anything like that. Thanks.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006
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