Thread: Electrolysis for rust removal?

Just a question anyone ever try electrolisis for rust removal on any rusty blades results etc?
Thinking about trying it for a W&B i picked up that has some active rust but has an etch that i don't want to destroy

A quick search of the forum will bring up a number of detailed threads on this... it is not a popular option. It is a completely non-selective way to clean the surface of the blade, whereas hand polishing, buffing, even tumbling will select against the rust rather than the etch.

Thanks for responding,after posting i realized the electrolisys may remove the etch as well as metal i don't want to remove.
Tryed to search before posting but had no luck will try again.
Many thanks!

jeg227,

A Google search :

Google

shows quite a few entries for electrolytic rust removal.

For a straight blade, I would suggest, for the current source, using one of the small constant current chargers used for mobile phones etc - they supply ca 200 - 500 mA, which should be enough for this purpose.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I'll tell you the very best way to remove rust, especially if its small areas where you need precision but it's only worth it if you do a lot of restorations. They sell machines for use in detailed restoration work, I used to use one in my college days in the paleo lab to remove fossils from the surrounding rock and it's basically a sandblasting machine but miniature and you can adjust the velocity and stream and it works wonders. I have no idea how much they cost these days but it's the cat's meow I'll tell you.

Well, maybe it's the tinkerer in me, but a cheap airbrush (HB anyone?) can be easily modified to shoot blasting media instead of ink and it would work as thebigspendur describes. A really small compressor is also inexpensive.