How to clean iron relics cheap and easy using electrolysis. I made this video several years ago showing how I use electrolysis to clean my iron relics. The video is linked off of my YouTube channel but you can watch it below. I still use the same technique today. This method is very cheap to setup and works really well. Rust removal is simple.
Electrolysis Process
All you need is the following:
- A 5 Gallon bucket
- An old extension cord wire that you aren’t using.
- Rebar stakes (Found in the cement section of your local hardware store like Lowes, Home Depot, Ace etc) for approximately $2/stake. However, I did see these 12″ J hook rebar stakes on Amazon that might work better.
- A small battery charger (one that doesn’t shut off automatically)
- Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (found at your local Dollar Store but I get mine through Amazon now)
- A drill and small drill bit (to drill a small hole into the iron)
- A few screws (1 for each piece of iron you intend to clean) the video goes into more detail on what you do with the screws etc.
Removing rust using the electrolysis process is really easy but it just takes time. The complete setup is captured in the video. I apologize for the quality of the video since it was captured using a GoPro 4 years ago. Wow, four years has gone by really fast.
Rust Removal a Different Way.
If you want to try a different technique check out this link where this person uses carbon rods and c-clamps in a very similar way but it may actually work better. I’ll be trying this out over the winter. Thanks to my friend Steven for sharing the link.