De-rusting - electrolysis Vs citric acid?

[julianf]

Just picked up a shallow draw modular filing cabinet that's ideal for storing my work, but it's proper rusted.

I've only ever used electrolysis before, which is great, but I thought I'd ask about the acid.

If you have used both, which do you prefer and why?

If you've only used one of them (as I have) then the question is not really for you, as I specifically want to know the pros and cons from people who have tried both.

Thank you.

 

[Memmeddu]

Electrolysis has the advantage to stop once you disconnect the current.
Citric acid has to be neutralise , even if less corrosive than others it is still an acid .
If you use electrolysis on a cutting edge it will sharpen it .
They both remove material

 

[rcx132]

Electrolytic seems to work best on deep rust as the bubbles form under the rust and push it off but it leaves smut behind. Acid eats the rust from the outside and gets into tight spots better. I've found that 20 min electrolytic followed by 20 min phosphoric acid to remove the smut and remaining rust works best, then repeat if necessary. Both damage the metal, acid more so.

 

[rcx132]

Just adding that the 20 min cycles may seem short but if you scrub the part in between cycles then one cycle is often enough, but sometimes several needed.

 

[123hotchef]

I use both regular critic is good for funny shapped things that may not get direct line in a electrolis tank. My tank has annodes on all 4 sides. I generally use Citric hot for smaller and or intricate stuff

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Just adding that the 20 min cycles may seem short but if you scrub the part in between cycles then one cycle is often enough, but sometimes several needed.

Yup. That's my method.
Pull parts out regularly and scrub em. Speeds the results up a lot.

 

[Jazzy Jag]

I've got my tank roughly set up and enjoying derusting anything that isn't nailed down!
I've been trying different additives and ratios but straight soda seems to be working best at the moment.

So far I have only used a car charger but it's one of those new fangled chargers that one supply a voltage unless it sees a battery to charge, so I had on old battery, which I have put in the circuit.

The biggest advantage to electrolysis, in my humble opinion, is the childish satisfaction of using a lighter on the hydrogen bubbles and the squeaky "POP"

 

[MattF]

Electrolysis hands down, for me. I'm using citric at the moment through necessity, not choice. With citric, it's acidic, you have that horrid smell on stuff, it etches some surfaces, etc.

 

[droopsnoot]

I tend to use citric for smaller stuff and electrolysis for larger. Perhaps just because I'm too mean to use a load of citric acid to fill a big bath.