Rust Removal by Electrolysis

Washing soda and baking soda are two different chemicals.
Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3), baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)The Soda Bicarbonate makes extra hydrogen gasses when this chemical is broke down using electricity.This is not a good thing to have around if you have an electrical spark. Things will go BOOM! Bi comes from the Latin word meaning 2, like biplane has 2 wings. Bicycle has 2 wheels. KABOooom comes from mixing non-compatibles. Just ask Beaker.

i couldn't find a and h washing soda...i subsituted "ph UP" which is 100% sodium carbonate, i bought it in the pool isle of wal-mart. WORKS GREAT!!!!!! Im also curious to know if it'll remove paint and chrome?

I electrocuted a horn bracket that was painted. It softened 95% of the paint enough so a wire brush will knock it loose from the part. I think the alkalinity of the water solution is what cut the paint loose. It blistered like paint remover was used. I didn’t try anything chrome plated.

isnt that how chrome is applied? I thought that was a good way to take it off too, im guessing the fumes given off would be extremely poisonious. considering the chroming processing is very toxic

will electrolysis eat rubber seals and stuff like that...also i want to put my brake caliper in there

No, your rubber parts should be fine.

I was taught to do this with a Stainless steel plate as the anode (or is it cathode) - anyhow, anyone know where I can verify if this bad/illegal/dangerous? I don't want to take this as an urban legend "Don't use stainless....." thing.

Also, I was told to use baking soda. FatnFast, thanks for the chemistry lesson, it makes sense to me to use the detergent next time.

Stainless is very dangerous(i think) lol you have heard of how dangerous the chroming process is, well stainless is steel and chrome. welding stainless is dangerous. that is on ething that i dont think is an urban myth.

why is welding stainless dangerous? I do that from time to time too.

from what i understood it was because of the chrome in the stainless. You are supposed to use maskes when welding stainless. Welding anything plated is usually dangerous too. dont take this as law until somebody more knowledgable chimes in, but im am relativly sure that it is pretty dangerous. There was a thread in the garage or tech dept about electrolsis and the stainless was brought up as being dangerous.

The main problem with using stainless steel is the hazardous waste it produces. Stainless steel contains chromium. The electrodes, and thus the chromium consumed, and you end up with poisonous chromates in your electrolyte. Dumping these on the ground or down the drain is illegal. The compounds can cause severe skin problems and ultimately, cancer. Hexavalent chromate, Cr(VI) is poisonous. See: Safety and Health Topics: Hexavalent Chromium - Hazard Recognition These compounds are not excused from hazardous waste regulations where household wastes are. These compounds are bad enough that government regulations mandate elimination of hexavalent chromate by 2007 for corrosion protection.