Electrolysis on my artifacts question

[duckdecoyman23]

I hunt for civil war items in Louisiana. I started electrolysis recently on my artifacts. So I run the them in the machine using a carbon granite block. When I take them out I hit them with a hammer and scrub them with a brush but it doesn't seem to get all of the rust off. Do I need to run them longer? or how do i get the rest off. here is a couple pictures of the rust left on. Any tips would be great. After I get all the rust off, I need to soak in water for 24+ hours to leech out the baking soda, then i boil it in parafin wax, and buff it. Right?
Thanks,
NOLAjoe

 

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[EccentricInTexas]

When I experimented I used Rebar as the other contact and ran it until all the orangeish rust was off. Then washed them and let them dry. If you stabilize them using wax remember to melt the wax till it is JUST turning liquid and then add the pieces and then increase the temp till it little bubbles form on the piece and continue till it stops. You don't want the moisture in the object to flash steam like an grease fire with water in it. (this is VERY important when stabilizing wood objects as there is a lot of moisture and air pockets in them.

 

[Trezurehunter]

When I do electrolysis on iron items, I do it long enough to get the outer flakes off, then take the item out and give it a light brushing with a small wire brush, and then give it a coat with Rust Inhibitor spray that you can purchase at any Hardware store, or some Auto Parts stores. It works well, and gives the item a nice sheen + stops the rust from flaking off. You can check out my most recent post (last week) in Todays finds forum - titled " A few relics along the way" . I used this method on the items shown.

 

[duckdecoyman23]

Thank you for the the replies. I will look into the rust spray and thank you for the warning of the not putting cold metal into boiling wax. Good information. Any idea if i spayed rust inhibitor or oil and let it dry and soak and then did the wax boil? What would happen then. Is there a precursor or better way? I've heard two methods rust spray/oil or wax boil. any middle ground for preservation of my items. I know they aren't great, but i like preserving history.