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Author Topic: Electrolysis  (Read 2868 times)

Offline Corey Roberts

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Electrolysis
« on: July 16, 2016, 10:09:35 PM »
Hi all, I'm new here and I have a couple questions and I hope someone can help me.

I built an electrolysis tank and it's what I have been using to strip my pans. My first question is how do you know how long to leave them in? I've been leaving them in just long enough to either remove all the rust or until all the gunk is off.

My second question is when I pull them out of my tank and wash them, I use 00 steel wool but I get a tremendous amount of black stuff that washes off but I can not seem to get it all off no matter how long I scrub them. When I think I have it all off I dry them with a paper towel but then the towel becomes black?

Thank you in advance for any help!  :)

I forgot ask, can you use electrolysis to clean Nickel or Chrome plated cast iron? If not, what is the best way to clean it?
« Last Edit: July 16, 2016, 10:15:24 PM by Schweddyballs »
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2016, 12:58:59 AM »
Hi Corey! and WELCOME!

I do a cold water scrub down after electro, with Dawn and using Stainless Steel Scrubbies (because they last longer and don't clog up my drains!)

Black water is good during rinse off, as that is converted bad rust.  Reddish tint in the rinse water tells me... back into the electro!  :)

Black is okay.... dry thoroughly with paper towels.. :)  You are doing good!

I look for uniform color, with no black spots left on the iron, then into the oven for final drying at 225° for 20 minutes or so.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2016, 01:01:17 AM by lillyc »
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2016, 01:02:10 AM »
Now I want to see a picture of your electro! :) 

Pleez....
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Offline Corey Roberts

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2016, 12:13:10 AM »
Cheryl,

I don't have a picture of it right now, it is kind of my prototype tank until I get everything figured out as far as how big I want it and all that stuff. I did use a 600 watt computer power supply to power it instead of a battery charger. I can get 48 amps out of it and it only cost me $40. I do have some pics of my recent finds from the past couple weeks that I will post in the next few days. :)
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2016, 12:19:45 AM »
What I have learned here.. is that anything over 20 AMPs may be counterproductive... so that is what I run at. :)   Saves wear and tear on insulated clamps...etc. :)
Look forward to your pics.. :)
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2016, 12:22:13 AM »
and just so you know... this is where I started...
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2016, 12:23:23 AM »
and now...

It is a Journey... but maybe we can help you find a few 'shortcuts" :)
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