Do not try to use other salts. @SarahSzabo Washing soda ($\ce{Na2CO3}$) might work just as well as the $\ce{NaOH}$ and for much cheaper too What current and voltage are best for electrolysis rust removal? To the water add baking soda. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Put the anode and the rusted object inside the electrolyte solution. Home House & Components Rooms Workshop, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. PDF Rust Removal using Electrolysis - SALTMINE Place the anode in the container so one end sticks out of the water. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBSs The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. In electrolysis rust removal, some resultant atoms are liberated as a gas (hydrogen, oxygen), and other resultant atoms are deposited as a solid on the electrodes (black sodium carbonate, rust). How to Remove Rust with Electrolysis (DIY) - Family Handyman Rust Removal with DIY Electrolysis Tank. Great Instructable.Old soup or beans cans make a cheap and easy to use donor. The current density in $mA/cm^2$ is the key number. The former is toxic and the later is explosive. The rust on the tools looks like freshly prepared with salt( NaCl) ( especially on the pliers. What about different types of tools because other tools might be harder to wash with steel wool and i'm going to relate to that with a drill bit and a pair of pliers. Electrolysis - Wikipedia While acids break down and dissolve rust, acid-free, water-based rust removers draw the rust away or lift it from the metal. Most experts believe that graphite is a better alternative than steel to use as an anode. The two are indistinguishable in terms of smell. Theres not enough time in the day to sand and scrub rust off, but you still need your metal parts and machinery in top shape. I think in a large setup a piece of flat steel or maybe some rebar would work well. Mix well so all soda is dissolved. since i was cleaning a small part I only needed a small supply of electricity. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. If more than one object has fused together by rust, electrolysis can break these bonds of rust and separate them from each other. Rust removal using the science of electrolysis is an inexpensive way to remove rust from large items which otherwise could be a costly process.Supplies needed:Sodium Carbonate (super washing soda)Alligator ClipsScrap Steel or IronBatteryDistilled Water when possibleMetal Wire Wooden dowel, metal rod or stick If you like our vids, treat Leah to a cup of coffee!http://www.Ko-fi.com/seejanedrillClick on this link to shop on Amazon via See Jane Drill: http://www.amazon.com/?tag=sejadr-20Note: If you purchase any items through See Jane Drill's Amazon links, we will receive a small commission.If you really like the work we that we do or have been helped by our videos, consider supporting See Jane Drill on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/seejanedrillContact Info:Website: http://www.seejanedrill.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/seejanedrillTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/seejanedrillEmail: leah@seejanedrill.comDisclaimer:Due to factors beyond the control of See Jane Drill, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information.