Rust removal through Electolysis

Use this area for posts and questions that don't seem to fit anywhere else.
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

I've been searching methods of Rust removal in my Gas Tank & didn't really want to use harsh Chemicals that are hard to get rid of.I found this on the Web.....so here's the steps...1)We need the rusty Tank
rust.JPG
rust.JPG (108.61 KiB) Viewed 5080 times
rust1.JPG
rust1.JPG (106.21 KiB) Viewed 5080 times
2)some Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
rust2.JPG
rust2.JPG (102.02 KiB) Viewed 5080 times
3)a Battery Charger
rust3.JPG
rust3.JPG (105.69 KiB) Viewed 5080 times
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

4)We need an Anode that goes in the Tank.This has to be Steel,but not Stainless.
rust4.JPG
rust4.JPG (75.04 KiB) Viewed 5079 times
5) Now mix a couple Table spoons of the Super Wash per Gal. of Water.Make sure to mix enough to fill the Tank. 6)Hook the Neg. Lead of Charger to the Tank & Pos. to the Anode,which goes into the Tank.Note the heavy Cardboard so there is no contact between the Anode & Tank(it will short out).
rust5.JPG
rust5.JPG (136.43 KiB) Viewed 5079 times
7) turn on the Chager & let the Magic work.
Last edited by Jeff L on Sun Feb 16, 2014 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

This is goning to take some time.I checked the Process after about 2 Hrs. run time & this is how the Anode looked
rust7.JPG
rust7.JPG (132.85 KiB) Viewed 5079 times
.This is the inside of the Tank after the 1st run
rust8.JPG
rust8.JPG (112.74 KiB) Viewed 5079 times
.May be hard to tell,but there is a marked improvment.Trhow out the Solution & make up new every run.I'll do this for a couple Days & see how it works.
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
hansgoudzwaard
Contributor
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:43 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I was on the last board as bonustoolkit. I have changed that to my given name.
I started a project build there " File and Fit." I paln to continue that when I go back home in Dec. 2011. I first joined the board when Gary W had it in the year 2005. That was the time I really gained an interest in building chops. I have a long way to go, compared to some here.

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by hansgoudzwaard »

RUSTBUSTING at jalopyjournal, a good read.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/show ... t=molasses

It seems to be a matter of choice. Both work well.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/journal ... alid=22311
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

Thanks for posting those.The Road I'm going seems to be working, but in the 2nd Thread it says this way works well if the Anode has a direct line with the Rust.My Tank has a Partition with just a few Holes to let Fuel to the other half.I'm mot sure that Side will get clean, so I may have to cut my loses & go another Route.I'm thinking just cutting it in half,blasting, & welding back together.
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

After talking to some more People, they say that the Anode having to be in site of the Rust is a little unfounded.The reason being this an effect of Electricity & the Charge is being sent through where ever the Water is.So....I'm going to continue untill the side of the Tank I can see is clean.I still intend to cut the Tank in half to have peace of Mind.This is what the Anode looked like after the second run at 5Hr.So it is pulling a good amount of Rust off the Walls.Unfortunatly I have to go back up North for the Week & won't get to do any more till next Weekend.
rust9.JPG
rust9.JPG (126.64 KiB) Viewed 5055 times
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
User avatar
sleepyonthree
Stalker
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:10 am
SELF INTRODUCTION: All around tinkerer. Hotrods, cycles, trikes, gardening, cooking, women. Originally joined CBH Jan 29, 2006. Way to many projects, but, thats the fun. Live out in the boonies, less complaints from conformist neighbors.
Location: G,ville Florida

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by sleepyonthree »

Jeff L wrote:Thanks for posting those.The Road I'm going seems to be working, but in the 2nd Thread it says this way works well if the Anode has a direct line with the Rust.My Tank has a Partition with just a few Holes to let Fuel to the other half.I'm mot sure that Side will get clean, so I may have to cut my loses & go another Route.I'm thinking just cutting it in half,blasting, & welding back together.
I sloshed a tank with one of the phosphoric acid based rust convertors then cut the tank and sandblasted the inside for a good clean. Welded it back up and did a double coat of red kote.
Has been about two year and is still holding up pretty good. Figure the coarse silica sand made for a good tooth for the red kote to grip.

As and aside.
Soda (pop) has phosphoric acid as one of its ingredients. Think coca cola and its ability to eat rust. What people don't think about is it does the same to ones bones if your a chronic imbiber.
nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
gearhead1951
Builder
Posts: 367
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:49 am
SELF INTRODUCTION: I am an expat tennessee hillbilly and retired us navy engineer livin' in Scotland and I have a love of old cars , trucks, motorcycles and most any other machinery !

I dont know if I can think of enough to say to reach the two hundred charactor minimun set by the mods , but I will persevere
Location: Greenock Scotland

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by gearhead1951 »

If yer gonna cut it open anyway then whats the purpose of going thru all that rigamarole ?!!
User avatar
sleepyonthree
Stalker
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:10 am
SELF INTRODUCTION: All around tinkerer. Hotrods, cycles, trikes, gardening, cooking, women. Originally joined CBH Jan 29, 2006. Way to many projects, but, thats the fun. Live out in the boonies, less complaints from conformist neighbors.
Location: G,ville Florida

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by sleepyonthree »

gearhead1951 wrote:If yer gonna cut it open anyway then whats the purpose of going thru all that rigamarole ?!!
For me the phosphoric slosh cut down the blast time so I was less exposed to the silica dust even wearing a face filter.
nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

gearhead1951 wrote:If yer gonna cut it open anyway then whats the purpose of going thru all that rigamarole ?!!
Cause I like Science.I know the Acid Baths work, but will also eat the good Metal.I'm not sure ,but I don't this way does.As said before,I wanted a method that was easy to dispose of,& if it works, it's a lot easier than cutting a Tank apart.My cutting is all part of the Experiment,& the Tank has a partition in it making seeing the entire inside impossible.There seems to be alot of Gunk in the Tank as well, so I may just cut it short & start cutting.
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
User avatar
Maxthegardener
Builder
Posts: 384
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:28 am
SELF INTRODUCTION: Name is Max living in scotland ,and building my first bike, Which is derived from a buellM2 Cyclone..Started with an engine and a Drop seat frame wich was made to my spec by a more experienced builder. would like to learn more about the skills and techniques required to build a frame so I value being a member here...Cheers Max
Location: Angus, Scotland

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Maxthegardener »

Did have success using water treatment chemicals, just mixed to a higher concentration, not sure about the safty of the liquid and haven't skipped it got it stored for future use. but it cleaned right through the mill scale on a test. and takes anodising right of, if of course you wanted to do that..lol..from memory it was the one that reduces acidity in a pool?
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

Well.....I got delayed going North so I was able to do a couple more runs.There is a lot of Shit that won't come off.I think it's old...very old 2 Stoke mix.I cut the Tank in half.The process was working, & I think it would have cleaned up pretty well.Even the other side of the Partition was cleaning up.You can see the dark areas in the Pic.
rust10.JPG
rust10.JPG (124.94 KiB) Viewed 5032 times
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
hansgoudzwaard
Contributor
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:43 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: I was on the last board as bonustoolkit. I have changed that to my given name.
I started a project build there " File and Fit." I paln to continue that when I go back home in Dec. 2011. I first joined the board when Gary W had it in the year 2005. That was the time I really gained an interest in building chops. I have a long way to go, compared to some here.

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by hansgoudzwaard »

Now is a good time to do a style change.....fat tank/skinny tank;looks good and reuseable.
Jeff L
Contributor
Posts: 687
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:09 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hey...I live in South Jersey (the Super Fund State) work as an Operating Engineer local825.Besides bikes I love to fish the surf.I have my current & seemingly endless project a BSA 750 Rocket3, a 72 Honda CB750,79 Kawasaki KZ1000, 48 Simplex, & a 62 Norton Atlas engine
Location: South Jersey

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by Jeff L »

This Bike is goin back together Stock.
Changing the shape of the Earth...1 bucket at a time...IUOE local 825 top of the food chain
User avatar
railroad bob
Contributor
Posts: 939
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 10:07 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: Hi Dan, thanks for your time and energy spent on this new board. I hope you will give me a waiver on the email account, I have used gmail so long I don't have a clue what my service provider account is.
I just returned home from a 2 week trip in New Mexico, have a few good pix, can't wait to share my off-highway traveling. Got to put 1400 miles on the scoot.

Best, Bob Davidson
Location: Alaska

Re: Rust removal through Electolysis

Post by railroad bob »

A comment about the blasting...

I took a class in June for paint inspection. Part of what I learned was how to check the condition of the surface after blasting.
The blasting roughens the surface, and it is measured in thousandths, or mils. The surface roughness is called "anchor profile".
The ideal profile is rough, BUT not too rough.It needs to have enough profile for adhesion, but if the profile is too rough,
the peaks of the surface will not have a very thick coating. The thin coating on the peaks will cause premature failure,
because it will be exposed much sooner than a surface with the ideal coating thickness.

One of the tools used to compare surfaces was a set of round discs that had different surface profiles.
Running a fingernail over them, you could feel the differences. I don't have any of the inspection tools here at home,
or I could post some pics.
Alaska - Land of the Individual and Other Endangered Species
An Armed Society is a Polite Society,...
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
TANSTAAFL
Post Reply

Return to “General Technical Matters”