De-Rusting (for all you boys & geeks)

[Paul the 6th]

Following on from this thread: http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=127360 ("Solution for Rusted Bolts")

I've been trying a few different de-rusting methods. The first method involves basically submerging rusted parts in malt vinegar for atleast 24 hours, then using a dollop of elbow grease to scrub the crud off (I found out about this particular method on a kitcar building forums= see here: http://www.cookhaus.co.uk/vinegar/index.htm)...

I bought a pair of rusty old axle stands for a fiver at rufforth autojumble this month, so thought I'd give it a bash.

Before:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK99PZTgyI/AAAAAAAAA_o/vmEoDb-oWBA/s720/IMG_0249.JPG

After:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-OGfBPEI/AAAAAAAABBY/-_oM9_B-rSA/s720/IMG_0263.JPG

Only got "after" pics of these bits:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-TlTYOKI/AAAAAAAABCM/Y4U_YzbpRZM/s720/IMG_0269.JPG

As you can see, where there's a long flat smooth easily accessible surface, the metal scouring pads really bring the old rust off (especially after having soaked for a week!)...

On the actual stands, in the nooks and crannys, there's still patchy rust here & there. If you've got a bit more patience than me, you could really make a good job of it...

The second method is the "Electrolysis" method.... (exciting stuff!)
Submerge the rusted item in a solution of soda crystals (the washing powder type stuff) and water. Use an old battery car charger to pass the current through the water. Clamp the negative to the rusty object, and clamp the positive terminal to a bit of metal you don't mind ruining (off cut of steel box section or plate will do fine).

Basically the current flows from negative to positive and carries the rust from the rusted object to the clean metal.

I've only just started this method tonight but you could see the water fizzing and the rust bubbling as it dropped off. I've seen objects which have been derusted using this method, and they literally look brand new.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-EcyLLJI/AAAAAAAABAQ/2RlpFqnKv2M/s720/IMG_0254.JPG

A nice offcut of steel to use (prolly a bit too long but i couldn't be bothered cutting it down)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-EyUzcYI/AAAAAAAABAY/r4Ff3o79AzE/s720/IMG_0255.JPG

I used a bit of boiling water to make sure the soda crystals (about a third of a bag for this task) were properly dissolved before adding more water... (These blue rubber bucket type containers are from tesco for about £3 a piece)http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-IBYvx-I/AAAAAAAABAw/TsinaU3-o1c/s720/IMG_0258.JPG

negative terminal on rusted object, positive terminal on offcut of steel
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-I8zRG7I/AAAAAAAABA4/oVdZ2_8Jo80/s720/IMG_0259.JPG


after just 30 minutes it looks like this
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/ScK-UZesY8I/AAAAAAAABCU/CbKqpZLydD4/s720/IMG_0270.JPG



Going to leave the electrolysis bath till tomorrow afternoon/evening and then report back with more pics :)

[davepreston]

pt6 the org mad scientist

[Paul the 6th]

and for my next trick, I'm going to cook a banana

[monkey]

Yummy! You should tell the people restoring the Cutty Sark. They could use a good trick like this. Looks like it's putting the vinegar to shame.

[xXBADGERXx]

Mmmmmm soup <---reaches for a crusty buttered cob roll

[Viney]

I prefer a spinning wire brush on a drill...hmmm, sparky

[Drew Carey]

Good skills.....I wander if I could dip my SV in a swimming pool for the same effect???? Or would the chesium just melt away???

[jimmy__riddle]

next project, try home anodising

[Paul the 6th]

Good skills.....I wander if I could dip my SV in a swimming pool for the same effect???? Or would the chesium just melt away???

You might just have to remove any aluminium bits from the bike cos apparently it just rots if you try either of the above methods lol

Ooh home anodising, never thought of that. I did wonder whether I might be able to try and electricute paints particles into behaving as a form of powder coating... I'd prolly just end up with a load of mess all over the floor..

[jimmy__riddle]

You might just have to remove any aluminium bits from the bike cos apparently it just rots if you try either of the above methods lol

Ooh home anodising, never thought of that. I did wonder whether I might be able to try and electricute paints particles into behaving as a form of powder coating... I'd prolly just end up with a load of mess all over the floor..

theres lots on the net about DIY anodising, its something ive been meaning to try

[Paul the 6th]

theres lots on the net about DIY anodising, its something ive been meaning to try

*stares at search results on google with curiosity*

[jimmy__riddle]

*stares at search results on google with curiosity*

the technique is very similar to what you were doing before for the rust, except you create the aluminium equivalent of rust, the oxide, and dye it.

[Paul the 6th]

the technique is very similar to what you were doing before for the rust, except you create the aluminium equivalent of rust, the oxide, and dye it.

It looks simple enough, just need to find out where to get the different chemicals required for the dyeing process. There's some nice trays & shelves you have to make for the engine bay (battery tray, bulk head panel etc) so these could be tricked up with a nice bit of ano :) and to think I was just gonna do the brushed ally effect :)

[jimmy__riddle]

It looks simple enough, just need to find out where to get the different chemicals required for the dyeing process. There's some nice trays & shelves you have to make for the engine bay (battery tray, bulk head panel etc) so these could be tricked up with a nice bit of ano :) and to think I was just gonna do the brushed ally effect :)

sodium hydroxide/sulphuric acid are the only ones you really need, you can probably get them from a farm supplier, and i think i saw some on ebay. The dyes you can get on ebay as well.

Just make sure you wear gloves and eye protection!

[jimmy__riddle]

if you havent seen it yet

http://astro.neutral.org/anodise.shtml

[markryker]

Paul, can you post us a pic in your white lab coat and goggles for effect please :D

[Paul the 6th]

Paul, can you post us a pic in your white lab coat and goggles for effect please :D

Lol currently got blue overalls & latex gloves & goggles. Come to think of it I do look a bit like a henchman from a bond film :)


Thanks for the link jr

[Dr T]

Read an article that a certain type of clothes dye works well for adding the colour after anodising. Also to fix it all you need to do is boil the component for 30 minutes.

Got some scraps of Aluminum off a friend and I'm going to look at giving it a bash. Not sure how to clean the components first though. The back end of my K8 looks sorry after a scottish winter and that's with a covering of ACF50.

Edit - That's the very link I was on about.

[dizzyblonde]

and for Pauls next job......

http://bp2.blogger.com/_aeWmuWRVFN8/Rqd377kuFiI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/FX2Nal-smc4/s320/brainiac.JPG

[xXBADGERXx]

With reference to Aluminium (Aloooominum for our American Cousins) , caustic Soda is very corrosive to Ally so don`t try this on anything like that , Ferrous metals only :)

[jimmy__riddle]

With reference to Aluminium (Aloooominum for our American Cousins) , caustic Soda is very corrosive to Ally so don`t try this on anything like that , Ferrous metals only :)

sodium hydroxide can be used to clean aluminium parts and also etch away old anodised layers to allow new anodosing of a different colour. it just depends how strong/how long you leave it in there.

[Tiger 55]

Hoyvin-glavin!

[xXBADGERXx]

sodium hydroxide can be used to clean aluminium parts and also etch away old anodised layers to allow new anodosing of a different colour. it just depends how strong/how long you leave it in there.

Yes but attempting to drop Ally into a bucket of Caustic like this with electric on it and leaving it for a day or so will have quite drastic results . I used to work in a dairy and have seen first hand what Caustic did to Ally spanners that are used to nip up the large diameter pipework ....... a holey fizzy mess :smt081

[jimmy__riddle]

Yes but attempting to drop Ally into a bucket of Caustic like this with electric on it and leaving it for a day or so will have quite drastic results . I used to work in a dairy and have seen first hand what Caustic did to Ally spanners that are used to nip up the large diameter pipework ....... a holey fizzy mess :smt081

yep, hence time and concentration.

sodium hydroxide is routinely used in industry to clean aluminium parts for anodising. It will etch many types of surface, which is why its good at cleaning them, it provide a naked surface where only the bare material is present, no contaminants. dont put a match near anything that fizzes with electricity!

[Ceri JC]

I did DIY electrolysis (with no fancy equipment) in Cub Scouts as a nipper, so it should definately be within the reaches of the org's home tinkerers. Looks impressive, I'd be interested in seeing the cleaned parts.

[monkey]

I think someone's forgotten to post the after pics :rolleyes:

[xXBADGERXx]

Or he turned them into a nice Iron Oxide/Caustic Soup ..... pass the Wooden Spoon :p

[Dave20046]

It looks simple enough, just need to find out where to get the different chemicals required for the dyeing process. There's some nice trays & shelves you have to make for the engine bay (battery tray, bulk head panel etc) so these could be tricked up with a nice bit of ano :) and to think I was just gonna do the brushed ally effect :)
Can't wait to see you on the news as a suspected terorist :smt111

[Dave20046]

I think someone's forgotten to post the after pics :rolleyes:
No he's actually at his bird's bedside is hospital after going mad and trying to de-rust her, she's got 3rd degree burns and crocodile clips fused to her nipples.

[leegriffiths128]

:D:thumbsup:

[monkey]

Paul don't tell me it's still bubbling away? Im gonna have to de-rate this thread....

I was all excited the other day asking my Father in Law for rusty parts!