Preserving Iron Relics: Electrolysis

Here is step by step instruction on how to run an electrolysis bath to preserve rusty iron objects. I recommend that you have a thorough understanding of electricity and its dangers before you try this. Please do not attempt if you are not proficient in your understanding of electricity and it's properties. See part two of my relic preservation precess in my video titled "Preserving Iron Relics: Hot Wax Treatment".
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Preserving Iron Relics: Electrolysis
• Preserving Iron Relics...
Aquachigger
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[@garypope246]

You'd get quicker, cleaner and better results if you used carbon anodes (a quick source is carbon arc welding rods from your local welding supply house) and an adequate amount of washing soda (not baking soda) to get the pH to a more efficient level. Warming the solution also helps. Your putting screws in the cannonball fragments is a great idea to assure a good electrical connection. Look at the various Shopdog Sam videos on electrolysis for his pioneering work on quickly cleaning parts with a good bit of washing soda dissolved in warm water, using carbon anodes, and generating no surface scum in the electrolytic solution.

[@livefreeordie45]

I can remember some of the things I learned about electrolysis when I was in high school. Only problems that was a few decades ago.. Thanks for doing this video. Tony Momsen

[@patrick082277]

best video i have seen yet on cleaning old relics. thanks!

[@nuggetnoggin]

This video really helps, i had a new battery charge probably why it always took 3 weeks to clean a small iron rollar buckle..

[@jimjustice581]

Awesome video. Thanks!👍

[@gregkingsley3309]

Love your videos! I learned something new!

[@BrianStocking]

We all have, but that's how we learn. Love your videos, so keep them coming.

[@CharlesHJones-ip1wz]

Very informative, thank you Beau :)

[@normanhirtle3180]

Great instructional video Beau thank you very much GL & HH

[@detecthistory5271]

Thanks Beau. Invaluable

[@coreybhatesemail]

Thanks for the info. Really enjoy the vids.

[@Rob-vv5yn]

Interesting stuff thanks for posting

[@striplingttu]

Thanks for this, I now have a more realistic idea of what can be done by electrolysis with heavily rusted relics. Other videos tend to leave out the hammering and cleaning of iron after the bath and just show a perfectly clean item.

[@evilal20]

I've been looking for this video and your channel...

[@Ashhhhtube]

This is a great process, I use it a lot on finds and during vehicle/engine restoration. I wouldn't recommend stainless anodes (positive side) because it can release toxic compounds into the solution. Carbon rods or sheet is the best if you can find them, they don't get gunked up like steel does, although it is the more expensive option. I use a converted computer power supply, they cost basically $0 and are very reliable. :) Ash

[@crabcrusher9602]

I know this video is old but I wanted to tell you that the best way I have found is to use arm and hammer super washing soda not baking soda. It will work much faster and do a better job. It can be found near the laundry detergent and will cost about $5 for a large box.

[@walkingtrails7776]

I feel smarter after watching this video. 😁

[@thebannedgreenman8939]

Thanks for sharing your 'know-how'.

[@round51]

Now i know what you do to preserve the carbine and musket I asked about earlier... What can i say I'm new to your channel. Now I need to look for a vid on what you do to preserve the wood! Good stuff.

[@FXGreggan.]

Thanks for showing! (You method that is :) As a tip - adding oxalic acid brings out the shine as well...

[@joshuataft5541]

Awesome ..I need to set up for this.m I have found old ax heads that could use it.. and similar things....your my metal detecting hero chiggers..wish I had a buddy like you

[@susanhamilton1922]

Interesting....👍👍👍👍

[@luketdrifter2100]

I use electrolysis exclusively for my tool restorations. Love it.

[@bigstinky99]

I just found your channel tonight and have really enjoyed watching. There are several videos for automotive interests that show rust removal with molasses. Have you ever tried this? It seems to be a slower process, but it looks pretty effective. Keep posting, and I'll keep watching.

[@robertfarmer8372]

Great info! I used to use the Lye and Zinc method back in the day. Ever tried that method?

[@fredcdobbs823]

Automatic smart chargers work if you connect a car battery to draw current between it & the cathode object

[@TannerandMelanie]

U tha man. Thanks

[@stonewallbook]

Beau - great video - thanks! BTW, have you ever tried apple cider vinegar in lieu of electrolysis? I've found it works very well. I've had some challenges (using both methods) of rust returning though. I always "bake" the relic in the oven at about 200 degrees for 30 minutes to remove any remaining moisture, then seal with Briwax. Someone has recommended spraying with WD40 before sealing. What is your advice for preventing the rust from returning?

[@BrodyPetree_Thegamer_123]

I want that boom box on your work bench

[@icespeckledhens]

Thanks for the video One thing, during electrolysis hydrogen is given off and its explosive, I think you avoid any sparks

[@bldeagle10]

Can get manual chargers at auto stores. I work at autozone and just bought a manual one and used it for electrolysis.

[@KENROLLERtxusa]

Thanks for the do 'n do not coin segment.....

[@stonewallbook]

Thanks Beau - have you ever have any issues with the rust returning, using that method? I'm assuming you take the relic directly from the electrolysis (after brushing off any remaining rust) to the "hot wax bath"?

[@MustangFastback]

Favorited!

[@onslought2]

I always wanted to know too do an electrolysis. Know how long do you recommend a time frame to keep an object submerged?

[@gilgammesh1]

When the electrolysis is done will they stop corroding without the wax coating? Or is it mainly done to remove the rust/impurities only?

[@jchidy87]

and one more sub question. Do you change the water between relics, or on any sort of time table?

[@michaelthompson342]

Would spray can clear metal sealer be just as good as waxing?

[@bstan1886]

have you ever taken a wire wheel on a bench grinder to a fragment or anything before going to electrolysis? if you have id like to see what it looks like. depending on if you like that look it would look good I think

[@TheZeekgeek1]

I've never seen that little insert face feature thing in the upper right corner of your video. That is really neat, how do I do that?

[@walkertongdee]

Washing soda is what you are supposed to use:)

[@jeffp6013]

ok have a question. I found a cannonball and trying to use electrolysis well its pretty well clean from that and now trying to clean the inside. I have a small hole from where a paper fuse would have been placed and trying to clean out the matrix. I dont want to cut the cannonball not interested in drilling a larger hole or 2nd hole trying to keep it intact as much as possible. How do I clean out the matrix??? I believe it is tar since I get tiny black pieces out.

[@selwol2]

Hi Beau, could you please tell me what material does the bath have to be? is it metal or plastic or glass even. thanks in advance. Mark

[@thomassnow100]

I have an old horseshoe out of the Potomac with a build up of what seem to be hard packed rocks/dirt under a VERY hard layer. When i did electrolysis on it and when i started cleaning it the chunks came off but it took the original first layer of iron off... any recommendations for future relics?

[@jcoombsy]

Beau, I know you're busy but could you post the hot waxing technique and the coin cleaning method you describe in another video (aluminum foil, baking soda and water)? Thanks for all the videos, my kids and I have learned a lot! You should start your own metal detecting instruction/teaching business!

[@DonWilsondigginTimeUSA]

Hey Beau, I have an old ac to dc 12 volt converter that was made for CB radios. It has a continua's 3 amp output. Do you think it would work for this use?

[@CoolKoon]

Yes, it would.

[@jackstiefel9758]

Hi Aquachigger, I just set up an electrolysis bath for some old horseshoes and other old iron relics I have. A giant wrought iron draft horse shoe turned out really nice after six hours or so. I also waxed it by putting it in the oven at 350 for 30 min to get rid of the water and then pressed a candle to it to melt the wax on. (using a giant tub of boiling wax like you do seemed a bit intimidating). Anyway, I just tried my next couple horseshoes, but I couldn't get anything to happen. Could this be because they are steel? They don't look nearly as much like wrought iron as the other one. I thought there might be a problem with the connection, but when I put in a big old square nail to test it it bubbled just fine. Any thoughts?

[@kathleennorton6108]

Do you get a shock from touching the water?

[@motherearth5462]

+Carat Cranker. Like cleaning off the battery terminals with baking soda?

[@walkertongdee]

The dark material is magnetite it shows that you have very good electrolysis the rust has turned into magnetite that is what the process does it converts rust into the magnetite. You did not leave it in too long perhaps the others were left in to little, it should come off with a wire brush and look even better than the others:)

[@TreasureHuntingSWPA412]

Beau, I built a little electrolysis unit today. If I'm getting mostly bubbles off the clip itself attached to the item to be cleaned, does that mean it may not be making good contact with the iron object it's attached to? Also, does it matter what the alligator clips are made of? I had the option of steel, or bigger copper ones. I used the steel ones.

[@TreasureHuntingSWPA412]

***** Ok thanks. I have just the negative in the water. I keep the positive out of it. The piece I wanted to clean is too small to drill and put a screw in.

[@caratcranker5874]

+Beau Ouimette Yes, and you have to keep replacing the Alligator clips when they crumble to shit...... just ask me.. lolol.

[@jhadlock2010]

Would you use this set up on coins

[@BrianStocking]

I also like to add that if you put to much amperage on it, you can "burn" your artifact. If you have ever seen a silver treasure coins or a button artifact with a blue tint, that is the result of burning. I thought I mention this too, pewter artifacts do nothing in a reverse electrolysis.

[@andyshriner5443]

This would be a bad idea to do with whole shells that haven't been safely opened right? Since drilling into live rounds is dangerous, like he said on his "How dangerous is a cannonball" episode.

[@motherearth5462]

+Carat Cranker. Thank you!!

[@BoomChild74]

I ran into the issue with the automated battery charger. I just happened to have one of those low power battery maintainers laying around also and it's also auto sensing. I hooked them up parallel to each other and the battery maintainer fools the big charger into thinking its connected to a battery. When the big charger kicks on, the little maintainer senses it and shuts itself off. Anytime the main charger gets disconnected or cycles through some sort of voltage check, the little one kicks on and keeps the big one from shutting off. Also, an interesting fact, I've also noticed that after a while of the process going, the tub seems to have its own voltage. Mine had just under two volts and didn't hold it long, but it was enough to keep the charger from ever kicking itself off. Sorry for the long comment. Hope it helps someone.

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

That's interesting stuff when you give up all this River hunting and magnet fishing and looking for metal you can always go into waxing and electrolysis you'll have a second job lol.

[@keithcox9426]

I found 3 Whitney arms Mississippi us rifles yesterday . I think they are that is the closest looking rifle to mind. holy crap what a great day believe me they're all not like that but anyway I'm trying to find a way to clean something at this size and I don't think electro. would be a good idea I would lose the ram rod and one still has the shoulder strap rings the wood is hard like stone . Muphys floor wax ? Any help would be appreciated or if you know somebody I can send them to $$$

[@wellsgb1957]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@SirFency]

Use Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda). Not Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda).

[@MylesNicholas]

Have you tried washing soda?

[@TheJoeyboots]

Could you use a 12V transformer for this? Does it have to be a battery charger?

[@SegoMan]

Wat do you think a battery charger is?

[@jchidy87]

Quick question. Once I get the relic through electrolysis, I know I need to coat it. I don't feel comfortable, nor do I have the set up, with hot waxing. Is there anything else I cant do to coat the relic? Spray poly? Anything you recommend?

[@larryking6185]

Christian Hidy wipe a lite coat of linseed oil on it

[@smylebutta7250]

Washing soda not baking soda.

[@modelleg]

Use sodium hydroxide from a plumbing supply store. I did a 300 lb iron anchor, it took 9 months to cook with 1-2 amps going through it.

[@SouthCarolinaScubaDiving]

I have about the same size anchor I'm planning on recovering from the ocean. How much in electricity costs do you think it cost you to run for 9 months?

[@BlackLotusW3]

I preserve my iron and tools with FrogLube (CPL). simply heat it up with a hot air gun, and coat it, let it cool off, wipe it down, done. with my home Damascus flip knife, I coated it, and WOW , it is really nice, nothing sticks to it, it is food grade (you can eat it/drink it) and wipe it off with a rag (cheese, etc), so I can use it when cutting food up and eating it, not petroleum products (yuk!)

[@BlackLotusW3]

wisdom always shines. I do love this froglube tho, makes my knives SO handy to clean. keeps it from rusting, blah blah.. good to know for preserving items fished up though. tnx

[@scottscott9150]

I watched a few other videos on electrolysis and they say to use arm and hammer washing soda sodium bicarbonate. not sodium carbonate for reasons described here. he says you can use baking soda, but would require baking the items first? I'm sure you have great results but you might have even better results with washing soda. the video I watched is called "rust removal by electrolysis: use in the restoration of.." by a guy named Keith ticket who is restoring some old printing press or something. anyway just thought I'd pass that along.

[@scottscott9150]

Keith rucker rather. stupid auto correct.

[@RustyHaloMetalDetecting]

These old style are dumb....here I am up since 2 because I can't wait for my Garrett AT PRO to arrive today, and I'm laughing like crazy at you Mr. Beau! Ty again

[@kydan2424]

thank you for the help Mr beau

[@panewbiemetaldetecting4635]

Great video and very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@bash1oo]

Aquachigger hello! I just found an old cap gun whilst looking for bottles, and it's extremely rusted over, I was just wondering if you knew a way other than electrolysis to effectively clean rust?

[@tillmansomethinrother296]

Ashley Hewitt Tarn X, but research this product before using to make sure you want to use it. it also destroys the natural patina of whatever you're cleaning

[@bash1oo]

BeBop Tillman Thank you!

[@caratcranker5874]

Beau, 2 things I might add that I'm sure you know, but others might not. Number 1, electrolysis only works in a NON steel container, a point to add, as most folk don't realise what earth and positive do. And, also, I only use salt in fresh water, I haven't heard of baking soda, is it better than salt?. Also, I is better if you get all the scum out tha bath, as it conducts. Keep it fresh looking regularly and it is more effective.,

[@BrianStocking]

This process is called Reverse Electrolysis. When metal is in water, it is the process of electrolysis that deteriorates the metal. When you do a reverse electrolysis you are stealing electrons from another metal, like stainless steel, to strengthen that metal. The bigger the artifact the longer it takes. A large cannon fresh out of salt water can take up to two years. Smaller artifacts like a button can take a day or less. Smaller artifacts need less amperage.

[@ThomasSmith-os4zc]

Have you ever conjoined cannon ball fragments?

[@brandonmckittrick2822]

I need help, I tried this with coins using a old cell phone charger. I used a jar, baking soda and warm water and a spoon. I hooked the negative wire to the coin and the positive wire to the spoon. They both were bubbling and I left them alone for two hours and the coin was not cleaned at all and the water was not dirty. What did I do wrong?

[@brandonmckittrick2822]

Both of the objects were bubbling, I thought just the one that needs cleaned is the only one that needs to buble.

[@Iowahurler82]

Brandon Mckittrick Both will bubble, one will be hydrogen, and the other will be oxygen. The negative NEEDS to be on the part you want to clean. It also works best for iron and steel based parts

[@Kyleman51]

How do you clean old guns?

[@Kyleman51]

Because using electrolysis would be kind of dangerous if any live shells are left in it

[@daleburris3772]

COOL! what does this do, chemically? Is it like a slow version of phosphoric acid treatment? Thank, Yeah, make sure there's a little air movement around it, contain it in a hood and that spark will explode the hydrogen bubbles that come out and collect, lol. My boss and I have made explosions from hydrogen bubbles out of water electrolysis. He was trying to make a kind of motor that began actually burned some of the hydrogen and it wentPOW one time and we realized it was running backwards after the backfire-on-steroids hehe. He might give me the hydrogen generator (a bunch of electrolysis plates with a collector/accumulator) so I can make a rechargeable electrical battery out of it.

[@concernedcitizen7928]

I know this video is ancient but the smart chargers will work if you put a battery in the circuit.

[@victoriajean586]

How easy is it to accidently to electrify oneself? I'm in no way coordinated and terrified I'd zap myself.

[@zzzzleepy]

"baking" soda ? thought it was washing soda...

[@White1Hunter]

What is your facebook page mate?

[@gaborasexe]

I have one question, for the small things i find i use phone charger and i don't really know where is + or - so i plug it the way that bubbles go from the peace that i want to clean and judging from the video i have been doing it the wrong way? or not? p.s. sorry for mistakes

[@gaborasexe]

***** can i use electrolysis on other metals? and if yes does the other metal has to be the same or iron is fine?

[@jaredwhite489]

How do you not get Electrocuted doing this?

[@aquachigger]

Not really sure. Luck to an extent I reckon.

[@motherearth5462]

Sorry to ask this but, what was the point of what you did in this video??

[@caratcranker5874]

+Evelyn Nobles The point is, electrolysis, gets all the rust and build up of the relic without grinding and taking off the metals desirable writing/embossing or surface.

[@arthurshemet135]

Love your videos! But for your family's sake don't use a power strip at your work bench!! The New York City fire department calls them "Fire Starters" They are typically made in china and if you run a lot of power thru them they become a problem over time!!! Safety First! Keep digging!!

[@Bluessoulful]

I hope you know that there will come gas out of this process that easily can explode? DUDE! This is just for using outside the house!

[@Bluessoulful]

;-) It´s hydrogen. But you´re right the moisture is a big problem, too.

[@caratcranker5874]

+Beau Ouimette Oh yes, great comment ! lololol.

[@historymagnet821]

First

[@thewildlemurs9998]

What you're Facebook page name?

[@thewildlemurs9998]

lol cx theres a crack in my screen and I couldn't read it well lol

[@hjelkrem79]

No offence, but:Holy shit, that place is fín dirty. Other than that, like your videos

[@georged192]

Love Your video,s..always awesome finds!!..but what you are doing now is extremely dangerous!!!.. electrolysis creates hydrogen gas(bubbles coming up is hydrogen gas!!!) witch is an Extremely highly explosive gas!!!.. Never i repeat Never!! do this in your house or basement!! only outdoors..the German army made hydrogen bombs in WW2.... you are creating sparks with your battery charger.. if there is enough hydrogen gas buildup in your basement you will blow your house up!!..do you realize Thad??..the smallest spark can set it off!!!!..