Electrolytic Rust removal
Discussion
Anybody here tried this at home?
The story:
I picked up a pair of brake calipers, earlier in the week, that had been on a mondeo circa 14yrs. Plan is to fit em with 260mm discs, as my discs and pads are shot I thought I might aswell upgrade.
Now I am not a clean freak but thought they could do with a clean and paint. Also not being one to try and find the hardest way to do things I didn't fancy hours of scraping and wire brushing. I do have access to a blasting cabinet but didn't fancy that idea either for various reasons. So a little research online shows this method and I have to say I am really pleased with the results.
Please note: I have never done this before and was a little sceptical, just gave it a go to test it out, judge for yourselves.
The Calipers.
These have been in a parts washer to remove brake dust and general crud but are basically as one would expect 14yr old calipers to be.
OOPS! clicked wrong button D'oh! Edit to continue.
Now here are the sliders from the same pair of calipers after approx 3hrs in the electolyte bath and a quick 5min rub with the wire brush. I forgot to photograph these before doing them but they were in the same condition as the calipers above.
These could probably do with a little longer just to get the last bits but I got impatient (will finish them tomorrow).
I am so impressed with the results I just had to share.
It is just so easy to do I will never scrub at small rusted parts again.
The calipers are in the tank now, gonna leave them overnight and hopefully will post results tomorrow.
Carl.
The story:
I picked up a pair of brake calipers, earlier in the week, that had been on a mondeo circa 14yrs. Plan is to fit em with 260mm discs, as my discs and pads are shot I thought I might aswell upgrade.
Now I am not a clean freak but thought they could do with a clean and paint. Also not being one to try and find the hardest way to do things I didn't fancy hours of scraping and wire brushing. I do have access to a blasting cabinet but didn't fancy that idea either for various reasons. So a little research online shows this method and I have to say I am really pleased with the results.
Please note: I have never done this before and was a little sceptical, just gave it a go to test it out, judge for yourselves.
The Calipers.
These have been in a parts washer to remove brake dust and general crud but are basically as one would expect 14yr old calipers to be.
OOPS! clicked wrong button D'oh! Edit to continue.
Now here are the sliders from the same pair of calipers after approx 3hrs in the electolyte bath and a quick 5min rub with the wire brush. I forgot to photograph these before doing them but they were in the same condition as the calipers above.
These could probably do with a little longer just to get the last bits but I got impatient (will finish them tomorrow).
I am so impressed with the results I just had to share.
It is just so easy to do I will never scrub at small rusted parts again.
The calipers are in the tank now, gonna leave them overnight and hopefully will post results tomorrow.
Carl.
Edited by Ceejay73 on Friday 25th March 17:33
Excuse me. had more than a few Friday night drinks.
Bloomin eck even that was hard to type.
The required componants are, soda crystals (supermarket shopping aisle), a tank (non conductive), water, a battery charger and some sacrificial steel.
Cost me 97p plus electric.
Google it.
I am so amazed ((amased)god knows)) with the results.
Cannot believe I had never come across this method before.
Does not damage the original base metal, obviously cannot replace material that has already corroded away but on thick stuff like calipers, it's fantastic!
Carl.
Bloomin eck even that was hard to type.
The required componants are, soda crystals (supermarket shopping aisle), a tank (non conductive), water, a battery charger and some sacrificial steel.
Cost me 97p plus electric.
Google it.
I am so amazed ((amased)god knows)) with the results.
Cannot believe I had never come across this method before.
Does not damage the original base metal, obviously cannot replace material that has already corroded away but on thick stuff like calipers, it's fantastic!
Carl.
Ok, as promised here are the same calipers having been left in the tank overnight. When I lifted them out it was evident that most of the corrosion had already come off and what was left was very loose and flaky. It could be rubbed off with a finger in some cases. So after a quick scratch into the corners with a screwdriver and 5 mins with the wire brush here are the results.
Have to say, I am very happy with them and would recommend anyone with rusty componants give this a go. Bit of paint on these and they will look like new.
The other great thing about this method is that it does not affect the good base metal in any way unlike abrasive cleaning.
I now know how the front wishbones will be getting cleaned up once they are off
Go on chaps, give it a try.
Carl.
Have to say, I am very happy with them and would recommend anyone with rusty componants give this a go. Bit of paint on these and they will look like new.
The other great thing about this method is that it does not affect the good base metal in any way unlike abrasive cleaning.
I now know how the front wishbones will be getting cleaned up once they are off
Go on chaps, give it a try.
Carl.
Hi Great results.... will be giving some of my stuff a go, (brake back plates,swing arms,drums etc. But....just a couple of points I am wondering about:
We know that it doesn't affect the rubber seals as they are non conductive but are you going to replace the seals anyway.....because I'm not sure about if the soda can affect them or not.
Some caliper pistons have chromed surfaces will it affect the plating do we know.
In any case it is certainly an effective and less messy/dusty way of cleaning up oodles of stuff...well done !
Regards
Graham
We know that it doesn't affect the rubber seals as they are non conductive but are you going to replace the seals anyway.....because I'm not sure about if the soda can affect them or not.
Some caliper pistons have chromed surfaces will it affect the plating do we know.
In any case it is certainly an effective and less messy/dusty way of cleaning up oodles of stuff...well done !
Regards
Graham
Hi Graham, I popped the pistons to check them over before cleaning the calipers, I new that they did not leak as they cam from a car that had just come in the yard that day but wanted to do a visual inspection. Put them back and crushed the steel bit of the brake pipe to keep the soda solution out as they were perfect inside. Haven't had chance to pop them again since cleaning but will do just to be on the safe side.
Carl.
Carl.
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