How To Remove Rust With Electrolysis In Six Easy Steps

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Flatbutt1

Proof that sometimes rust is the only thing holding stuff together.
Evaporust is essentially EDTA. If the rust runs deeply enough and the EDTA chelates it, then it's realistic to expect that metal piece to fail. IMO

These were lightly rusted, and I probably could’ve used a wire wheel in retrospect, but I wanted the protective covering left after treating it. It’s interesting that the spring broke right where the hole is in the top.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Project farm on both electrolysis and evaporust:

Worth reading the comments on that page.

A 2 part Electrolysis vs Vinegar vid ---- plus how to make an Electrolysis tank......

[Baz]

Was able to finish the cleanup of the tools I had in my vinegar soak today.

I could have done more to clean them up but mostly was concerned with a quick removal of the surface rust and wipe down of Fluid Film to mitigate future corrosion.

I picked up the washing powder and tomorrow I plan to start the electrolysis of one of my fuel tanks. Will post updates here.

[Baz]

Moving ahead today with the 1st of 3 Honda fuel tanks.

Down and dirty startup. I know I can rig something better than this - and will. Just working with some stuff I had handy for now....wanting to get something going for my observations.

BTW....the can is not currently touching the tank. Just sat it there for the photo.

[Baz]

After re-thinking this I dumped the bin and just set it up to treat the inside of the tank. So no more bin.

Will post pics tomorrow.

I think this is the better approach......

[Baz]

I'll work on this some more tomorrow......that sacrificial anode (a piece of rebar) is probably too rusty to be effective.

[Arizona_928]

https://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

Better than i can explain it (time wise)…

Don’t let the two electrodes touch as in the bin picture. Also a coated can is a poor electrode. You also want the part completely submerged.


Yeah that rebar needs to be heavily cleaned.

[wildthing]

Ed China's channel showed him using a product on a whole RR chassis but I'm too lazy to Google but it seems to work well.

[Baz]

Updates.......

I figured out the battery charger I was using was actually a smart charger, so wouldn't work unless I also used a battery with it. So I went with an old Sears charger that used to belong to my grandfather. Boom...instant success! After experimenting with some different sacrificial anodes I ended up using a short piece of rebar.

Tomorrow I plan to empty the tank and take a look inside to see how things look.







Before.......and after about an hour.......

[MBAtarga]

I've used EvapoRust on several different occasions. Here are some before/after treatment pictures of the Smithy 3 in 1 machine I bought off Craigslist about 20 years ago.

[Baz]

Thanks, Mark...very nice work cleaning up your Smithy there! Thanks for sharing.

Here's a video specific to what I am doing right now with the fuel tanks. It reinforces I am on the right track with my process!

[Baz]

OK - even though it's a chilly 45 out this morning.........I got some more work done on the tank and feel good about how it is coming along.

I flushed it out as thoroughly as possible, removing the sender plate on the bottom and spraying a jet stream inside from all directions through that opening and the filler opening. Repeated dumping out by hand...swirling by hand......rinse....repeat.....until the water coming out was pretty clear.

Then I buttoned the bottom back up, refilled with electrolyte solution, and reset the charger. I will re-check later this afternoon to see how she looks.

Something interesting to mention.....I keep hearing something rattling around inside. I finally got it to land near the bottom opening - too large to get out. Very flat and maybe 2" in diameter irregularly shaped and white in color. You know what I think it is? A chunk of the carbonate soda that didn't dissolve. I may have to poor some boiling water in the tank next time I empty it to get it dissolved so I can remove it. I tried to break it with my fingers but it's too hard.

Lesson learned.......use warm-hot water when you mix up the electrolyte and maybe even strain it before pouring into your tank.

Sorry not great photos.......but you can see all the surface rust is gone.......

[Rusty Heap]

So once the gas tank is purged of all gunk, how do you seal it? Slosh some liquid around in it to seal the pores of bare steel?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

So once the gas tank is purged of all gunk, how do you seal it? Slosh some liquid around in it to seal the pores of bare steel?

Yes.

Two-cycle oil, fogging oil, two-cycle oil with gas mix, are three options I have seen used.

You could use proceed with an epoxy coating product, like Caswell if you'd like.

Little more work involved but more permanent in it's result......

[Arizona_928]

If you just poured your base (sodium bicarb) into the tank and didn’t dissolve it beforehand…. Most likely excess sodium bicarbonate. I would give it another round of rebar love.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

If you just poured your base (sodium bicarb) into the tank and didn’t dissolve it beforehand…. Most likely excess sodium bicarbonate. I would give it another round of rebar love.

Thanks!

FWIW.....I always use a bucket to first mix the soda with some water before poring into the tank.

I'm wondering if either some of it didn't dissolve fully before it was poured into the tank....or some of it somehow solidified later on while in the tank.

Either way I learned a lesson to use warmer or hot water while doing the mixing. Guess I didn't realize the stuff didn't dissolve that easy.....

I have it going again fr a second round. Just checked and had some accumulation on the rebar so going to let it go until tomorrow morning and then that should be it for the electrolysis part of it.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

If you just poured your base (sodium bicarb) into the tank and didn’t dissolve it beforehand…. Most likely excess sodium bicarbonate. I would give it another round of rebar love.

Golden Earring?

[Baz]

I have a new endoscope coming tomorrow and hopefully will be able to share some good pics of the inside.

For now, I have to say I'm absolutely THRILLED at the results I am getting using this electrolysis method.

I just emptied out and blasted the insides after the second soak and really and truly I think almost all of the corrosion is gone except for what's left over that affected the surface of the metal itself.

That big chunk of carbonate is gone too. Must have dissolved (shrug).

Of the 3 tanks I'm working with....this is the worst one. The other 2 won't be bad at all.

I'm thinking when I get her emptied out tomorrow all that will be left to do is to dry her out real good and then spray with the fogging oil.

I appreciate all the help, as always!