Question:
Electrolysis is great. Why didn't my science teacher tell me about this prosess?
They told me how to make a nail rusty and how to copper plate one but not
how to remove rust. Anyway thats not my question, these are:
1. What is the best way to seal steel after using Electrolysis to remove the rust,
will acid etch primer do the job?
2. Can I seal it with some black (iron oxide and magnetite) deposit still on it,
or will this continue to rust underneath new paint?
3. If the black stuff is difficult to remove, is this because there is still too much rust present
underneath the black gunk?
4. If I continue to electrolise the part will the rest of the black turn to iron?
Please, If you can help or know of a useful page to check out.
Answer:
Question: 1. What is the best way to seal steel after using Electrolysis to remove the rust,
will acid etch primer do the job? Answer: No need for an etch primer on clean steel - and this is usually pretty
clean straight after electrolysis. Your problem is that's _too_ clean
and active. It can rust while you look at it, so a spray of WD40 at
minimum is recommended. Spray zinc primer, if that's what it's getting
eventually.
Question: 2. Can I seal it with some black (iron oxide and magnetite) deposit still on it,
or will this continue to rust underneath new paint? Answer: I'd suggest a wash of conc. phosphoric acid to stabilise anything
that's still oxidised. However rust on mild steel isn't such a catalyst
as on other alloys.
Question: 4. If I continue to electrolise the part will the rest of the black turn to iron? Answer: Eventually it will either reduce to iron, or more likely it will fall
off. Gentle scrubbing assists it - you don't need to work hard at it.
