Home electrolysis - bright metals

[thunderhorse]

Don't know if this would have been better in arts and crafts, but...

I'm experimenting with electrolysis to de-rust metals and vehicle parts. The anode should be mild steel/iron ideally (or stainless at a push). I don't have plate lying around, but I do have quantities of rail/montant offcuts from plasterboarding.

Does anyone know what the bright coating is on these sections? It's not galvanised (not as I remember galvo.,) so could it be very thin stainless?

Suggestions welcome.

Cheers [:)]

[dave21478]

DO NOT use stainless anodes. These produce a chemical byproduct which I cant remember offhand ...somethingsomthinghexachromate or similar. It is very, very poisonous.

[Chancer]

They are electro-zinc plated and not passivated.

[thunderhorse]

[quote user="dave21478"]DO NOT use stainless anodes. These produce a chemical byproduct which I cant remember offhand ...somethingsomthinghexachromate or similar. It is very, very poisonous.

[/quote]

Yes, it can produce a toxic mix, but then other scientists have found it harmless in solution as it combines further with hydrogen. Either way, I would only use it - as I said - at a push. The jury is still out on that one.

[thunderhorse]

[quote user="Chancer"]They are electro-zinc plated and not passivated.[/quote]

So that would mean grinding it off to get back to the original bare metal...

Think I'll go to a scrappy and get some plate/bar.

Thanks for the input, peeps.

Cheers [:D]