This will get rid of all the rust.
Equipment needed:
Portable 12 volt battery charger with alligator clips on it,
Electrolyte-The article suggested Sodium Carbonate (washing soda) and/or most powdered dishwasher detergent because they contain Sodium Carbonate.
Sacrificial anode-the article suggested a 12"piece of rebar. The article does not state if the anode is reusable. Any comments? (the anode may be reused until it is gone, that would be many uses)
Cathode- the tool to be cleaned
A plastic tub at least 4-5"deep.
The Process;
Do all of the following BEFORE plugging in the charger:
Set up the bath with enough ware to cover the tool and add 1 tablespoon of electrolyte for each gallon of water,
Must scrape/ sand a small section of the tool.You must have a clean attachment point for the negative clip,when the clip is connected submerge the tool in the bath,
Insert anode vertically , preferably in the corner of the tub so that the bottom of it is in the bath and the balance is above the surface.The positive lead should be attached above the waters surface,
The tool and anode should be placed at opposite ends of the tub so they will not touch one another.
NOW AND ONLY NOW you may plug in the charger:
After 24 hours the tool should be very clean,
Unplug charger, remove tool, clean tool with rag
I used this method on some an iron waffle iron with my name on it that had been on a fence in the backyard for fifteen years and was severely rusted. It came out perfectly clean.
The process uses the battery charger to reverse the oxidation process that creates rust.
