What am I doing wrong? Rust removal / Electrolysis

[BladeRunner2019]

I have some steel wheat cent's that I found with other copper wheat cents. They are obviously rusted badly, but I have seen others on here have success using electrolysis to bring them back to at least decent shape.

I have tried 2 different coins and the only thing that appears to be happening is the coin is getting smaller but no details are showing. I guess it's possible that they are too far gone to have positive results, but I thought I would see if there is something I'm missing or doing wrong.

I'm using A&H Super Washing Soda with an old Sears 4 amp charger (6 & 12 volt). A piece of rebar for the sacrificial steel and I attach the positive lead to that. I have small alligator clip attached to the negative lead and I clipped the coin to that. I'm using a small plastic container.

i suppose I could try another object besides the wheats to see if I can any better results.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

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[HillBilly244]

I'm trying Evapo-rust. I ordered some from amazon. I don't know how well it works yet. Just easier for me living in an apartment.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

I'm trying Evapo-rust. I ordered some from amazon. I don't know how well it works yet. Just easier for me living in an apartment.

I've been thinking about trying something like that. Might as well give it a go.

 

[cooper1841]

I dont do coins in mine, but your set up sounds correct. One thing to remember electroylsis is directional, so on large items ax heads etc, I use 4 peices of flat stock in a bucket, to suround the item I Only use this setup on big iron

 

[DeepseekerADS]

A couple of years I've been aiming to set up for electrolysis. I did chores today in the garden, clipped Navajo blackberries and did some cuts to try rooting - plants for gifts to friends.

Maybe tomorrow my chore should be to set up an electrolysis bucket. The problem with retirement is laziness......

 

[Truth]

Your set up it right this was might first electrolysis project. I have a homemade wall unit (Getto style). I want that old Sears unit you have. I JUST took this out just now after a week of cooking. Old sad iron.

Before

Now

Wife is mad I did it on the kitchen counter

 

[cooper1841]

Your set up it right this was might first electrolysis project. I have a homemade wall unit (Getto style). I want that old Sears unit you have. I JUST took this out just now after a week of cooking. Old sad iron.

Before View attachment 1576346View attachment 1576347

Now View attachment 1576348View attachment 1576349

Wife is mad I did it on the kitchen counter

If you have a good connection to the item it should only take 8-12 hours Truth. I check clean and re-attach every couple hours, to get the best connection. If I am reading between 6 to 12 amps, I am happy. A week is way to long. the ax head was over night

 

[against the wind]

A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thanks for the information.

 

[Truth]

If you have a good connection to the item it should only take 8-12 hours Truth. I check clean and re-attach every couple hours, to get the best connection. If I am reading between 6 to 12 amps, I am happy. A week is way to long. the ax head was over night

I agree I have a weak homemade unit