.308 o/s

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: butt on October 04, 2025, 06:43:41 PM

Title: removing rust from cast iron
Post by: butt on October 04, 2025, 06:43:41 PM

Brought home a 15.5" Lodge frying pan from dads.

Its in pretty good shape, but has some surface rust.

Found a "new to me" process called -> electrolysis

Pretty simple process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlsNucmbiE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKZv14-K71g

 

Title: Re: removing rust from cast iron
Post by: butt on October 05, 2025, 11:01:01 AM

This method I've already used - which uses common household items - to neutralize rust.

Tried it on some drill bits, and it did a good job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVYZmeReKKY

Title: Re: removing rust from cast iron
Post by: butt on October 06, 2025, 09:58:04 AM

I have a decorative cast iron 'pagoda' lantern - that I found 10+ years ago, half sunk in the mud of a farm pond - that was caked with rust.

I tried the second method yesterday, but I must have goofed on the citric acid/soda ratio

So.... Put together a 5 gal bucket electrolysis set-up this morning.

Seems to be working...

Will let it run overnight. Will probably take a few days, given the extent of the rust.

Looks exactly like this one I found online:

(Its about 10" T & 7" W, at the base)

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/candle-holders/candle-lamps/vintage-regency-patinated-metal-pagoda-wrought-iron-lantern/id-f_39075862/



 

Title: Re: removing rust from cast iron
Post by: butt on November 11, 2025, 05:10:06 AM

So, getting back to this thread.

Finished the cast iron pagoda - rust removal.

Took a few days, but was very impressed with the end result.

Had to clean the electrodes regularly, as they get caked with the rust residue.
 :D
But yeah, was a neat process to learn about.