Are the element’s copper or steel, and if so does the copper stand up to the acid?
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Are the element’s copper or steel, and if so does the copper stand up to the acid?
bigegg
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the one i have appears to be galvanised.
i've not put it in the tank yet, so no idea on longevity.
i'm guessing the galv wont last, but it wont rust underneath - its in a citric acid bath
no idea on long term copper immersion.
The_Yellow_Ardvark
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I use both methods.
Both with varying success.
if you can get hold of a modern hat water heater for hand washing, the heating element is very good for both methods. Try and find what the heater is not copper based.
If not, keep it in the tank, strip the insulation of the tank. Use the tank heat to heat your solution.
If you want to use a paste of citric acid. Mix it with either flour or wallpaper paste. Apply in a decent layer. Flash dry the out side with a hot air paint stripper. This will allow you to wrap the item in cling film. Or Shrink wrap.
One safety tip on using a heater, use a lawn mower circuit safety breaker.
Both with varying success.
if you can get hold of a modern hat water heater for hand washing, the heating element is very good for both methods. Try and find what the heater is not copper based.
If not, keep it in the tank, strip the insulation of the tank. Use the tank heat to heat your solution.
If you want to use a paste of citric acid. Mix it with either flour or wallpaper paste. Apply in a decent layer. Flash dry the out side with a hot air paint stripper. This will allow you to wrap the item in cling film. Or Shrink wrap.
One safety tip on using a heater, use a lawn mower circuit safety breaker.
bigegg
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not in my experience - but i only used it at my old house, in a heated, insulated portacabin so at 15-20c ambient, rathet than outside for citric.
MattF
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Heat isn't required for either. It merely aids the process, but isn't a necessity. I've never heated my electrolysis vat, which is outside.
The_Yellow_Ardvark
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bigegg
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electrolysis does tend to heat the water up slightly, any way?
MattF
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Not much, if any. From having my arms in upto the armpits on many occasions round this time of the year, I can definitely say that water stays bleedin' cold.
Screwdriver
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the one i have appears to be galvanised.
i've not put it in the tank yet, so no idea on longevity.
i'm guessing the galv wont last, but it wont rust underneath - its in a citric acid bath
no idea on long term copper immersion.
Citric does a very good job at stripping galv. It's how I clean up scaff poles for welding. It really takes it off quite aggressively too, lots of impressive fizzing.
Be careful what you strip in an electrolysis tank, some metals will produce a toxic bath of chemicals you need to be extremely wary of when disposing.
bigegg
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not to mention gases given off:
table salt in the water will give off chlorine.
not something you want a lungfull of.
The_Yellow_Ardvark
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Not twice anyway.
Screwdriver
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If I recall correctly, having any galv in the electrolysis tank (esp on the anode) will turn your workpiece green...
Exuptoy
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I purchase a kilo of citric from ebay for around £6, and pour half in a 10 litre builders bucket and fill with warm water then I drop in a fish tank heater and anything in the bucket will derust in around an hour or two.
It certainly works!
It certainly works!
Seadog
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Barking Mat
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Electrolysis, my only venture so far, 10 litre plastic bucket of water,big bag of salt, 12v battery on charge, water got well toasty!
ronan
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I took a punt on a triumph 650cc crankshaft on ebay which i won for £30, no one else bid as it was rusty. Got a cheap plastic tub from the local homeware place, chucked in a couple of kettles of boiling water plus hot water from the tap, 250 grams of citric acid and dropped the crank in and it was like new in a couple of hours. That was my first attempt using citric acid and i was well impressed.
