Electrolysis Problem (what to do) ??

N

Nick_N

Member
Well, I got a problem. I've got one of my skillets in electrolysis right now. It has been in overnight (24 hrs). The electrolysis has done a great (amazing) job, so far, but I took it out this afternoon just to check, and there was still a bit of build-up remaining on one half of the the inner wall. I took it inside and worked on it for about an hour with my SS Chore Boy. I scrubbed on that area till my fingers were raw, and while working, the flash rust appeared. Eventually, I gave up and went back outside to return it to the electrolysis. Then, while I was getting everything hooked up again, the flash rust really started. It's now back in the tub.

My question, how long can I leave the piece (BSR #8) in the electrolysis?

Today was low humidity, and I was hoping to finish. Tomorrow is going to be very high humidity, and stormy, plus, I've got to be away from home tomorrow. Again, the skillet is running now (it's night).

So, what to do ?

Should I leave it in the electrolysis again tonight, tomorrow (high humidity), and tomorrow night (thunderstorms), and deal with the final clean up, the next day, when the weather is supposed to be crisp & clear?

OR

Should I turn it off now (or in the morning before I leave), leave it in the water, and then resume electrolysis the following day ?

Will it hurt it to just hang in the electrolysis tank, without current? Will that make it rust worse?

I hope you understand my quandary. This is my first electrolysis, all was going great, and I had planned on it being complete today, but that is not to be, and I don't want to mess up this skillet.

Any suggestions would be appreciated....thanks :icon_scratchchin:
 
as long as its still bubbling its working. some times it takes longer than others and a little elbow grease. the flash rust wont effect anything it should just wipe off with fine steel wool or even a rag. once your done scrubbing and dry it you can either put it on a burner and dry it or the oven at about 200. I just wipe dry put it on a burner and wipe with a little oil to prevent rust till I have enough to fill the oven and season. since its a bsr ill assume its not enameled or plated so leaving it in the tank wont hurt it.
 
KevM said:
as long as its still bubbling its working. some times it takes longer than others and a little elbow grease. the flash rust wont effect anything it should just wipe off with fine steel wool or even a rag. once your done scrubbing and dry it you can either put it on a burner and dry it or the oven at about 200. I just wipe dry put it on a burner and wipe with a little oil to prevent rust till I have enough to fill the oven and season. since its a bsr ill assume its not enameled or plated so leaving it in the tank wont hurt it.
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Thanks Kev.....no it's not enameled or plated. I understand what to do when it's finished, so far as scrubbing, drying it quickly, and heating it up in the oven. I was just concerned about how long it could stay in the electrolysis bath, because it may be another day before I can do the final clean-up. It's definitely still bubbling. :D
 
Leave it in the e-tank. I've left stuff in there for days at a time. Leaving it in for a day or two longer than you think is needed won't hurt it.
 
KevinE said:
Leave it in the e-tank. I've left stuff in there for days at a time. Leaving it in for a day or two longer than you think is needed won't hurt it.
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Will do. I've got a few very stubborn places on the inner wall, so I'm hoping that this extra time will take care of that. My fingers are hurting, right now :cry:
 
I agree with Kevin. Usually 24 hours is enough for most pieces, but if i take it out and find there is still a significant amount unclean, I'll get off what I can easily, then back in the tank. There is no such thing as too much time in the etank.
 
I don't think I've ever left a pan in the electrolysis tank for more than a couple of hours (front and back)... but I tend to do the lye first if it's covered in black crud or vinegar/water soak and scrub if it's rusty... usually I only put them in the electrolysis just to finish off the stubborn bits that didn't clean up with the other methods. And sometimes if there are stubborn crud bits that didn't clean up with a couple of hours in the e-tank, I'll hit that spot with the easy-off and let it sit for a few hours... I've never had the combination of the various methods not get everything off.
 
Jody M said:
I agree with Kevin. Usually 24 hours is enough for most pieces, but if i take it out and find there is still a significant amount unclean, I'll get off what I can easily, then back in the tank. There is no such thing as too much time in the etank.
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Yep, that's what I did. Back to the tank......:tongue:

---------- Post added at 07:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 PM ----------
D_Madden said:
I don't think I've ever left a pan in the electrolysis tank for more than a couple of hours (front and back)... but I tend to do the lye first if it's covered in black crud or vinegar/water soak and scrub if it's rusty... usually I only put them in the electrolysis just to finish off the stubborn bits that didn't clean up with the other methods. And sometimes if there are stubborn crud bits that didn't clean up with a couple of hours in the e-tank, I'll hit that spot with the easy-off and let it sit for a few hours... I've never had the combination of the various methods not get everything off.
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Thanks D_Madden, I didn't do any of the pre-clean (lye) stuff. This skillet went in right off of the "neglected shelf", but it did take over 24 hours to complete, but, it came out great.......:grin:
 
Nick...Be somewhat cautious about leaving it unattended for a day or so. All those bubbles you see are the sign it's working but it's also a sign that there will be evaporation of the solution. You may very well end up with different areas of cleaning as the solution drops from evaporation which will in turn leave you with another problem. I personally would (and have done) turning off the charger and leave it set in the solution until you return. The electrolysis will remove any rusting that may occur during your absence once you come back and re-start the process, so what's another day going to hurt by setting in the tank inactive?
 
MDFraley said:
Nick...Be somewhat cautious about leaving it unattended for a day or so. All those bubbles you see are the sign it's working but it's also a sign that there will be evaporation of the solution. You may very well end up with different areas of cleaning as the solution drops from evaporation which will in turn leave you with another problem. I personally would (and have done) turning off the charger and leave it set in the solution until you return. The electrolysis will remove any rusting that may occur during your absence once you come back and re-start the process, so what's another day going to hurt by setting in the tank inactive?
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Thanks, but didn't need to leave it in that extra day. I was able to get it out, cleaned up, and applied the first seasoning, before I had to leave today. And, I avoided the dreaded "flash rust". It's looking good !

So, ALL IS WELL ! Thanks everyone for the help ! :tasty:

You know, I'm beginning to realize, this ain't rocket science........
 
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