Electrolysis subframe rust removal

[irishs2]

After experimenting with electrolysis rust removal on small front suspension parts I wanted to try it out on something bigger. I didnt have any container big enough for my subframe but I had a few blocks and an old rideon mower cover.


Just water, 600g of baking soda, 12V from battery charger, some cheap jumper cables, negative to subframe and positive to an old sacrificial chainsaw bar.



Within minutes the bar started to fizz. Current draw was never more than 2A


After 4hrs rust sediment was visible.


How the subframe looked before I started.


Subframe after 1 day


Subframe after 2 days, I just power washed it to wash off the flakes of rust. Current draw had dropped way down to a point that could not be read.

While the subframe was doing its thing, got time to work on other parts.


Small tank.


Diff-Lock Actuator guard: Before


Diff-Lock Actuator guard: After 2 hrs


Rear ties, the both pretty much looked like this.


Half not done, Half done


After 4 hours



All cleaned up.

[Dan]

Sweet, good job!

Might have to try this electrollylark.

[S2central.net]

Very nice result. I must try it too someday.

[s2driveruk]

interesting stuff....might be a good alternative. what sort of rust protection does this give once completed?

[irishs2]

None, it can rust again quite quickly if you dont treat it. You will get surface rust in a matter of hours if you dont protect it. In my case I used a rust preventer and then por15. But use can use POR15's own metal ready and then paint. Its up to you. When I did my suspension bits I coated them with wd40 to prevent rust until I was ready to paint, once I opened a POR15 can I wanted to paint as much as possible.

[re2500]

You can also reverse the process using sacrificial old copper pipe and effectively copper plate components (* i wonder if you could effectively thinly galvanise items using something zinc??*)

[johne]

Really useful to see this in action - I've an old petrol tank I've been thinking about doing this to so it's great to see that it works so well.

John

[s2_wot]

Thanks for sharing, that looks like fun.

[newsh]

Genius!

[dubmeister]

Great process- did my HP2s a while ago.

Thread here:-

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthr...r+electrolysis

[Billman]

You can also reverse the process using sacrificial old copper pipe and effectively copper plate components (* i wonder if you could effectively thinly galvanise items using something zinc??*)

copper plate? Does it work just like this? Any pictures before after?

[docspeedtriple]

thermal coating

Great job on subframe .I came across a new process instead of galvanising called thermal coating where a company near to me sand blast then thermal coat with zinq (no heat hence no warping) then apply 2 coats of powder coat Great job and they say its better than galvanising susposed to last up to 25years and its cheaper than galv as i get gates and rails that i make done. Example full set of gates 3.5m by 2m set cost me £135 complete .I'm ready to take up a set of H&r springs to have it done so will keep all posted on the result and price.:thumbs :http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=uV-QPTpJaYo

watch this video

[irishs2]

Great process- did my HP2s a while ago.

Thread here:-

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthr...r+electrolysis

Indeed, it was your thread and this one
http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthr...t=29723&page=5

I never thought of using this process on car stuff until I saw it posted here.

[Kliminati456]

cool!

would this work or is there a similar process for corroded aluminum?

[irishs2]

As far as I know, It can work for aluminium but you have to be very careful, the electrolysis reaction doesnt stop with the corrosion, it can take good material too, so work in short intervals like every 10mins and clean it to see how it goes.

Also ****DO NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL ***** as sacrificial material, it can release toxic chemicals.