Electrolysis suggestions

[Kasper1212]

I know there are many ways to do it....does anyone have an easy poor mans system and can tell me how to treat things afterwards? I appreciate any recommendations...my relics are piling up and I would like to restore them as much as possible...thanks

 

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[pa plateau hiker]

Everybody has their own favorite method. I spray with WD-40, after it dries I coat with lacquer, either spray or brush from a can.

 

[smokeythecat]

I use a 12 volt battery, I think that's the voltage, the older boxy kind about 4" x 5" you use for a hand lantern, two wires with alligator clips and a plastic tub. I use baking soda for the reactant. Then spray with satin polyurethane when completely dry, which is at least 1 week later.

 

[Kasper1212]

PA Plateau....So you don't use electrolysis at all? Or is this how you take care of them after words?

 

[Kasper1212]

Smokeythecat...that sounds like something easy enough for me, how long do you soak? Is the week later the drying time? And any idea who sells those alligator clips? Thanks so much for the help!

 

[cooper1841]

I know there are many ways to do it....does anyone have an easy poor mans system and can tell me how to treat things afterwards? I appreciate any recommendations...my relics are piling up and I would like to restore them as much as possible...thanks

over night for the ax head, then oil and put in the oven like you would season a cast iron fry pan. Works great. Just remeber it is directoinal, so the more sacrifical cathodes you use the faster and better it will be. Picture is an early set up. I use four cathodes

 

[Tpmetal]

Electrolysis should always be a last resort, or for iron relics. Be careful with anything you do as it can damage stuff. First thing you need to do is get a adjustable dc power supply. A good one from amazon is like 150 bucks to get the amp range you will need for different size objects. Then do some reading and build a set up, you will need several things including a plastic container to hold everything, a few pieces of steel/iron to use as a sacrificial anodes.

 

[cooper1841]

Electrolysis should always be a last resort, or for iron relics. Be careful with anything you do as it can damage stuff. First thing you need to do is get a adjustable dc power supply. A good one from amazon is like 150 bucks to get the amp range you will need for different size objects. Then do some reading and build a set up, you will need several things including a plastic container to hold everything, a few pieces of steel/iron to use as a sacrificial anodes.

Hence the battery charger with different amp selection, I only use this on big iron.............Not for coins and small stuff. Common sense is your friend

 

[Tpmetal]

Hence the battery charger with different amp selection, I only use this on big iron.............Not for coins and small stuff. Common sense is your friend

yes sir absolutely, just making sure the OP understands this before just throwing a bunch of stuff into a pot and zapping it haha

 

[Kasper1212]

LOL! Thank you!

 

[pa plateau hiker]

PA Plateau....So you don't use electrolysis at all? Or is this how you take care of them after words?

Yes, I use electrolysis, The way you worded it sounded like how to treat afterwards. Maybe I misread it.

 

[MM32KY]

There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to set up a electrolysis tank. My suggestion to only use it for solid iron relics period. No tin, copper, brass or other material. You run a high risk of destorying the item. An Etank will remove all rust and anything else to is loosley attached to the iron. I have a 20 gallon Etank and at times it runs 24 / 7 restoring cast iron.

 

[smokeythecat]

I don't use it often. Ruined a spanish silver coin once. It was only in the tank 5 minutes and that was too long. I generally now soak iron in something called "Iron out" found a a place like Lowe's or Home Depot. About 3 days. Then take it out and depending on what it is, if it has any size to it I smack it repeatedly with a 4 ounce tack hammer, which removed most of the rust, then wire brush, and finally coat with either oil or poly.