Question on electrolytic rust removal

[Mike(NEOhio)]

If there is no rust will the process affect a finished surface? Say a cylinder block with honed bores or a gasket surfaces. What about coating the surface with grease?

 

[560Dennis]

I haven’t noticed that the few times I done it.
It will remove paint, that could be a good thing or bad.
Do it outside .

 

[JoeM(GA)]

It should not, if your solution is made from washing soda, baking soda, pool ph or such it should be fine, those who use lye in their solution could experience pitting of surfaces

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Does not remove metal turns the rust to a black coating.

Make sure your sacrificial anode is positive

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Thanks all for the input. H block that has been bored and honed. I was going to sandblast it but the electro would be a lot easier. Wish I had a tank large enough for the main case.

 

[JoeM(GA)]

Mike, I don’t think you’d ever get all the sand out, and that’s a bad thing!

I now use a 275 gallon IBC tote with the top cut out for my big parts, you don’t even have to have a real container, one of my friends stood up pallets and braced them, lined it with plastic drop cloths and did a rear end housing that was huge. I did a pair of frame rails in a ditch cut with a mole board plow, lined with plastic sheeting, instant 10’ container!

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Mike, I don’t think you’d ever get all the sand out, and that’s a bad thing!

I now use a 275 gallon IBC tote with the top cut out for my big parts, you don’t even have to have a real container, one of my friends stood up pallets and braced them, lined it with plastic drop cloths and did a rear end housing that was huge. I did a pair of frame rails in a ditch cut with a mole board plow, lined with plastic sheeting, instant 10’ container!

I know. If I did blast I would cover the ends and only do the outside. Scrub the bores, detergent and hot water just like after honing, just to be sure. The head needs it too.

 

[m16ty]

I’ve setup a vat and used it in the past, but I’ve found that just brushing on Ospho works just as well in most cases, quicker, and less mess.

 

[Brad_G]

So after you've done the electrolysis method, how do you dispose of the water/mixture? Especially those who are using the trench in the ground with plastic method.

 

[JoeM(GA)]

If you just use washing soda and a metal(not stainless)anode you basically just have a water solution that is very high in iron. Myself, if using the trench, I just run my hand across the bottom when done, getting as much grease, paint, and other junk that came off during cleaning and then poke a hole in the plastic and let it drain into the ground. I do a small hole, it drains slow, and the rest of the debris will still be in the bottom. I let it drain and dry a day, then everything in the trash. Iron loving plants love,it. Never had anything die from,it.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Yes other than probably paint removed there’s nothing horribly bad for solvent or nasty stuff it’s washing or baking soda is all. that is in my electrolyte when I make it often it’s just tossed in a whole box of baking soda in the plastic tub since the little boxes are the right size those ones to freshen the freezer or fridge that my wife and mom use they just replace that one give me the old one.

If you truly wanted to do your part it could get screened for paint but it’s really a very environmentally friendly way to do it.

One thing I forgot to mention rub down all surfaces right away with engine oil after you wash that black stuff off especially that nice honed surface and the head you are thinking about it will flash rust just like it was sandblasted or if you have some of the spray on fogging oil that goes on really fast then wipe down I don’t see it as much anymore but it’s nice for that.