Lucas Rear Motorcycle lamp, Electrolysis rust removal

[Flying10uk]

Are you able to clarify exactly what soap powder is used in the process, please? Is this what I ask for in the Supermarket?

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[bigduke6]

Are you able to clarify exactly what soap powder is used in the process, please? Is this what I ask for in the Supermarket?

Just the stuff for washing clothes etc, Daz, Bold etc.

[Ajsgreenjeeps]

Are you able to clarify exactly what soap powder is used in the process, please? Is this what I ask for in the Supermarket?

It’s sodium tricarbonate you can also use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
FYI
Also the more amps you use the faster the rust is removed! Oh Don’t worry about the metal your only changing rust. A 200 amp battery charger or even a dc stick welder works good for high amps faster rust conversion
Be careful with fumes ie hydrogen
I do it in garage with ventilation no problem though
Food for thought

I have done it with a engine using a pallet built into box and a tarp!

[Bruce_in_Oz]

For de-rusting steel and iron items, try molasses, the stuff used for stock feed and interesting cooking. You can get it in bulk from places that sell animal feed and farm requisites.

It is a SLOW process, but involves no mechanical "violence" like grit-blasting.

Caveat: DO NOT use molasses with Zinc or Aluminium parts.

Interesting to read about "Soda" baths.

I use "Washing Soda" (Sodium Carbonate) to clean cartridge brass. It should be available in the "Washing" section of your trusty supermarket. Being slightly caustic, also not recommended for Zn and Al alloys. My "refinement" is the additional use of "industrial" vinegar.

The first "bath" is in a hot and strong brew of the washing soda. This removes any residual grease and oil, and seems to "activate" the oxidized surface. Next "bath" is plain HOT water, to remove most of the soda residue.

Into a container of vinegar; watch for the colour change from "brown" to "brassy yellow".

A "running" hot fresh water rinse, and then into a second, HOT washing soda and finally a HOT rinse.

All that heat is useful because it seems to make things "go faster" and, just as importantly, DRY faster, especially if direct sunlight is not available.

Have a ferret around the websites that specialize in "traditional" household cleaning techniques; it's amazing what you can do with simple stuff, like common vinegar.