2 Strokes Down Under

Rust removal with water and molasses. A week this way and then inverted it for another week. I've done a tank before and it worked well but this is an experiment. I'll let you know .

Excellent!

I once bought an Ex-racers stock of RZ parts, the elecricals were kept in a green wheelie bin

You've wheelie bin using your head on this one.

{groan}

Wheelie good idea

Now, stick some washing crystals in, a few anodes....

BRG1200 wrote:Now, stick some washing crystals in, a few anodes....

.....peas, potatoes, carrots and onions????

As I said; an experiment. I'll try electrolysis another time, unless you beat me to it

At least with electrolysis it would be done and dusted by now. This is my 'green' bin and I'll need it to get rid of the green rubbish in a fortnight's time. So its a week one way and a week the other. If that is not enough time I'll be making an unwanted choice - but saving this much brew ain't one of them..

Some of the fellas on the Mustang forum I frequent have used this method with good results.
I'd expect yours to work well too.

I think they had their tub covered though. Not sure if it makes any difference.
Here is another method discussed. Might be more suited to smaller parts.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=203018

hybrid wrote:Some of the fellas on the Mustang forum I frequent have used this method with good results.
I'd expect yours to work well too.

I think they had their tub covered though. Not sure if it makes any difference.
Here is another method discussed. Might be more suited to smaller parts.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... p?t=203018

An interesting article but they were using vinegar and salt making a weak acid that has to be safely disposed.

I not sure of the chemical reaction of the molasses is but last time I just threw the resulting molasses, water and rust on to the front lawn without issues.

The time factor is about the same.

Is that an EPA van parked outside your house? =:-o

I made the slightly rhetorical statement "not sure of the chemical reaction of the molasses" so I asked Google the question and got.............

"Answer
Molasses contains chelating agents. These are made of molecules that are shaped a bit like the claws of a crab--the word chelating comes directly from the Latin word chele, meaning claw. They can envelop metal atoms on the surface of an object, trapping them and removing them. Molasses owes its properties to cyclic hydroxamic acids which are powerful chelators of iron.

More of these compounds are found if the molasses is derived from sugar beet rather than cane sugar. The plants from which molasses is made presumably use these chelating agents to help them extract minerals from the soil. Interestingly, there are aerobic microorganisms that use similar cyclic hydroxamic acids to scavenge iron. So plants and microbes appear to use the same chelation strategy to obtain their daily ration of iron.


Ben Selinger, Department of Chemistry, Australian National University. Ben Selinger is the author of Chemistry in the Marketplace and Why the Watermelon will not Ripen in your Armpit (Allen & Unwin)"

http://magichammer.freeservers.com/removing___rust.htm

I'm really done the wiser (I should have paid more attention during chemistry while at school ) but I take it that hydroxamic acids to naturally occurring and compatible with organic matter (in the sugar cane and my front lawn). I take it that the iron oxide is not chemically changed but bonds to the hydroxamic acid and floated away. Or sometink

In my internet travels I read that the parts should be taken out and pressure washed to get rid of the built up slime on the surface and allow the brew get to fresh rust for munching.



Did that this arvo.



The results were there but not dramatic. I don't think I put enough molasses in - hey its an experiment okay . I'll see what another two days does before I flip it. The choice will be to leave it longer or more molasses.

Begs the question... Where does one get molases?

For the experiment I got 3 jars from Coles, the Health Food section , $4 a jar.

Ag suppliers are probably a better bet for value through quantity, it is used as stock feed. I haven't sussed them out yet but I think you might be talking 10-20lt drums and $30-50 costs - both cost and quantity (then storage of the unused portion) requires a commitment from a small time used such as myself - hence the experiment.

Stock food source might also be higher phosphate content and thus be more effective - or so I've read on the internet . The experiment continues.

I'm liking molasses because it is mild only attacking the rust and I think handling, potential accidents and disposal are all minimal risks. I'm also liking electrolysis but the handling and disposal of chemicals might be more of an issue. But speed of process is a bonus.

The experiment continues.

Thanks Prof!