Electrolysis cleaning - Competition Diesel.Com

SmokeN 12 ValvE · 02-16-2010, 02:12 PM

Have any of you used electrolysis cleaning technique for cleaning up a rusty block, nothing but a lot of surface rust. I was looking at doing this mainly because I have everything to do it, and trying to save every penny I can.

Farmallgray · 02-18-2010, 05:40 PM

I have never done it on a block but I have a 400 chevy block I'm going to try it on. I have done quite a bit with it and even wrote a magazine article on it;
Electrolysis: another way to remove rust

You will still need to wipe/scrub the black soot off when you take it out of the tank. Alternatively you could use a pressure washer to blast the stuff off.

JDGnut · 02-20-2010, 12:50 AM

Nice artical.. Never thought about adding a battery to the circuit... Haven't tried a block yet.. but I should I have a pile of old tractor block sitting around.. actually sitting right next to the tank...
Old lawn mower blades work great too... I've usually got a few around.. but stop at a small engine shop.. they'll have a pile of them around..
Bryan

Muddin_dude06 · 02-22-2010, 07:29 PM

Does doing that also remove paint? I have an old trailer frame that is pretty rusted with some paint left on it. And I don't want to spend the money on sandblasting it!

Farmallgray · 02-23-2010, 01:37 PM

It will remove paint if the part is fairly rusty. There is an article online about doing a trailer frame. Do a search and it should come up. He had to use a DC welder as a power source. Building a tank big enough to submerse the thing in is a big challenge as well.

02-16-2010, 02:12 PM	#1
SmokeN 12 ValvE Name: SmokeN 12 ValvE Title: Diesel Enthusiast Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Albemarle, NC Member`s Gallery Posts: 808	Electrolysis cleaning Have any of you used electrolysis cleaning technique for cleaning up a rusty block, nothing but a lot of surface rust. I was looking at doing this mainly because I have everything to do it, and trying to save every penny I can. __________________ James 04.5 Chevy Duramax - EFI live, straight pipe

02-22-2010, 07:29 PM	#4
Muddin_dude06 Name: Muddin_dude06 Title: ... Status: Not Here Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chandler OK Member`s Gallery Posts: 2,541	Does doing that also remove paint? I have an old trailer frame that is pretty rusted with some paint left on it. And I don't want to spend the money on sandblasting it! __________________ '96 2500 4x4 5sp. 3” Full Long arm lift w/35's ValAir DD Clutch w/ Input DFI 5x.012’s, O-ringed, 625’s Hamilton 178/208, pushrods, PDD street springs, S362sxe/.7WG ‘12 LML crew cab swb 4x4 RC 3.5” lift with 33’s Anarchy tune 5” exhaust w/ Jones 5050XL

02-18-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
Farmallgray Name: Farmallgray Title: Diesel Enthusiast Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Spring Mills, Pa Member`s Gallery Posts: 110	I have never done it on a block but I have a 400 chevy block I'm going to try it on. I have done quite a bit with it and even wrote a magazine article on it; Electrolysis: another way to remove rust You will still need to wipe/scrub the black soot off when you take it out of the tank. Alternatively you could use a pressure washer to blast the stuff off.

02-20-2010, 12:50 AM	#3
JDGnut Name: JDGnut Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Waxahachie, TX Member`s Gallery Posts: 405	Nice artical.. Never thought about adding a battery to the circuit... Haven't tried a block yet.. but I should I have a pile of old tractor block sitting around.. actually sitting right next to the tank... Old lawn mower blades work great too... I've usually got a few around.. but stop at a small engine shop.. they'll have a pile of them around.. Bryan

02-23-2010, 01:37 PM	#5
Farmallgray Name: Farmallgray Title: Diesel Enthusiast Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Spring Mills, Pa Member`s Gallery Posts: 110	It will remove paint if the part is fairly rusty. There is an article online about doing a trailer frame. Do a search and it should come up. He had to use a DC welder as a power source. Building a tank big enough to submerse the thing in is a big challenge as well.