electro-plate question

[wedgeheaded 0]

I've noticed several posts where folks are doing there own electro-plating. I'm interested! What do I need and how long do I do it? Does it actually fill pits or just clean rust? This would be a handy tool for my auto interests too. Thanks

[MikesRJ 558]

Electroplating is the act of bonding a metal to another metal via electrolytic action. I presume you are referring to what most folks around here are doing, which is called electrolysis cleaning of iron and steel parts. By the way, anyone truly doing electro-plating, is taking some serious health risks, playing with dangerous chemicals, and surely breaking a few environmental laws.

Here's a few articles to help you understand what is being done as far as electrologists cleaning:

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/ele...c_derusting.htm

http://www.rowand.net/shop/Tools/Electrolysis.htm

[wedgeheaded 0]

I sell POR 15 products through my business and they have a reuseable rust disolver that works great. It looked like they were putting metal back into the pits somehow. Still the removal process is interesting. It's the same principal of a lead acid battery. I'm an electrician by trade and I'm familiar with electrolisis as it's undesirable in electrical connections and very dangerous. I just never thought of using the principal to remove rust. Neat idea.

[Mrs. Ed 0]

I sell POR 15 products through my business and they have a reuseable rust disolver that works great. It looked like they were putting metal back into the pits somehow. Still the removal process is interesting. It's the same principal of a lead acid battery. I'm an electrician by trade and I'm familiar with electrolisis as it's undesirable in electrical connections and very dangerous. I just never thought of using the principal to remove rust. Neat idea.

I'm collecting the materials to build an electrolysis setup using a 40-gallon plastic drum. I'll let you know how well it works when I get it finished.

Polly

[wedgeheaded 0]

I sell POR 15 products through my business and they have a reuseable rust disolver that works great. It looked like they were putting metal back into the pits somehow. Still the removal process is interesting. It's the same principal of a lead acid battery.

[Duff 206]

Mike, did you notice the two articles you linked us to disagree on one VERY important step?

-Stovebolt says to use an iron or stainless steel electrode.

-Rowand says NEVER to use stainless as it's both highly toxic and dangerous.

Everything I've read here and elsewhere says not to use stainless in the process because it can leach dangerous metals into the solution creating a highly toxic and hazardous waste material.

Just thought I'd bring this up for safety's sake. If anyone has more updated/accurate information, please share it with us!

Duff :D

[MikesRJ 558]

Stainless is ALWAYS incorrect, as during electrolysis the chromium will migrate to the part you're trying to clean. Iron re-bar is your best bet.

[linen beige 15]

Everything I've read here and elsewhere says not to use stainless in the process because it can leach dangerous metals into the solution creating a highly toxic and hazardous waste material.

It's called hexavalent chromium and it's a hazardous waste that is VERY dangerous, and illegal to dump down a drain or out into your yard.