Electrolysis, what's wrong?

I have a 45 gallon tank set up with lye and am cleaning up my 1940 Farmall A parts.

My advise is to use a stainless steel electrode.

George from Alberta

• Electrolysis - A Superior Cleaning Process

I have a 45 gallon tank set up with lye and am cleaning up my 1940 Farmall A parts.

My advise is to use a stainless steel electrode.

George from Alberta

• Electrolysis - A Superior Cleaning Process

As the others have said, the paint is an insulator, so it will not "pick up speed" until it has worked for a while. Also, the temperature of the solution will affect the reaction speed.

The only way for the washing soda to lift the paint is by those small bubbles of hydrogen lifting the edge of the paint film as it goes. If you want the reaction to gos a bit faster, use Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) instead of or along with the Washing Soda. The lye is a little nastier on your hands, but it really does the job on grease, oil and paint by emuldifying it so it will lift off faster.

I generally use lye all the time in my tank.

Frank-in-Tallahassee
70D // 855

As the others have said, the paint is an insulator, so it will not "pick up speed" until it has worked for a while. Also, the temperature of the solution will affect the reaction speed.

The only way for the washing soda to lift the paint is by those small bubbles of hydrogen lifting the edge of the paint film as it goes. If you want the reaction to gos a bit faster, use Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) instead of or along with the Washing Soda. The lye is a little nastier on your hands, but it really does the job on grease, oil and paint by emuldifying it so it will lift off faster.

I generally use lye all the time in my tank.

Frank-in-Tallahassee
70D // 855

Rhouston and big fred gave you good advise. Another thing to consider is the outside temperature, it was only 8 degrees here today, so if you are doing that where it is realatively cold it will slow down the process.

Jim