naval jelly

[Chuck Guzis]

On 10/3/2006 at 7:33 AM dwight elvey wrote:

>Hi
>In another group, some have suggested electrolysis methods. I've not tried

>it but they talk about hanging the piece in a stainless tub and applying 
>current to it. I don't recall what they suggested for elecrolyte but I
suspect it 
>isn't critical. Most anything that doesn't plate out of solution should
work.
>Dwight

The old tool collectors typically use a solution of washing soda (sodium
carbonate) or lye (sodium hydroxide).  I've done it myself--just use a
battery charger and a steel bucket, immerse the cruddy item in the hot
solution and turn on the current.  For those old rust-encrusted items, it
works really well right down to the otherwise unreachable crevices.

Cheers,
Chuck