Why washing soda for electrolysis ???

[nali]

In quite all the topics ab0ut rust removal with electrolysis, I read you have to use Washing Soda.
What I understand is tap water is not really conductive for electricity, so we need ions.
Washing Soda is basic, I ve used any lye based drain cleaner with succes also.

The problem is Washing Soda is not always easy to find. I can’t find it in Québec …
We find some reciepes to heat Backing Soda in the oven and change it to Washing.

I wonder if the use of Washing Soda is not just an urban legend … Maybe the first set up of this kind on Internet used it and everybody does the same without any other reason ? 🙂

From my own experience, I’ve been using salt for years. Easy to find in any kitchen or to remove ice in winter. It works perfectly and is cheap.
I never had any problem after painting parts.

So … Any reason to use Washing Soda instead of anything ?

[jcrigan]

I use baking soda with good results. I don’ t know about the washing soda as I had the baking soda on hand.

[amuller]

quote nali:

In quite all the topics ab0ut rust removal with electrolysis, I read you have to use Washing Soda.
What I understand is tap water is not really conductive for electricity, so we need ions.
Washing Soda is basic, I ve used any lye based drain cleaner with succes also.

The problem is Washing Soda is not always easy to find. I can’t find it in Québec …
We find some reciepes to heat Backing Soda in the oven and change it to Washing.

I wonder if the use of Washing Soda is not just an urban legend … Maybe the first set up of this kind on Internet used it and everybody does the same without any other reason ? 🙂

From my own experience, I’ve been using salt for years. Easy to find in any kitchen or to remove ice in winter. It works perfectly and is cheap.
I never had any problem after painting parts.

So … Any reason to use Washing Soda instead of anything ?

Salt will work to increase the conductivity of the water, but will also make it corrosive, like sea water. Possibly not a problem if you rinse very thoroughly. But chlorides can also cause stress corrosion cracking of some metals.

[nali]

Right, but this is theory.
I m a bit aware about chemical.
Never seen any damage, event years later.

[frankr]

Well all I’m going to say is that I about freaked out at the very thought of deliberately inducing electrolysis in salt water. That because of a career of repairing outboard motors that have been used in salt water. It is the electrolysis that destroys them. And you can wash and flush them all you want, the damage still happens and keeps on happening.

Your mileage may differ. Good luck.

[crosbyman]

salt is made of sodium and chlorine …. NaCl……any chance of generating corrosive and poisonous chlorine gas in the process 😯

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[wbeaton]

You can get washing soda at Home Hardware. I ordered it online and picked it up in store with some other things. It’s called Arm & Hammer "So Clean".

http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index … R-I4527273

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com

[thumper]

It is actually a pool chemical called PH up! check the local pool store.

[mr-asa]

quote nali:

Right, but this is theory.

It’s not theory, though. It is actually how this happens, especially in older metals and older castings.

As for using lye based chemicals on aluminum… ok. It’s your boat.

[Author]

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