Question about Electrolysis and Wood

[Hcompton79]

Hi guys,

I recently purchased a Swiss 1899 pattern bayonet to compliment my 1911 long rifle, however there is a modest amount of rust on the part of the grip that was not protected by the scabbard.

Short of taking a polishing wheel to this I would like to try the electrolysis method demonstrated before on this forum, however I have a question. The grip panels on this bayonet are riveted in place and I would prefer not to have to drill out and replace the rivets, will putting the bayonet in the electrolysis tank with the grip panels still in place damage them somehow? I would think not since they are wood and non conductive, but I figured I might ask here.

Information

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[Roy]

Whilst I have not used electrolysis with wood, I would research whether the water changes its PH as the process. The water certainly becomes very disgusting!

[frankderrico]

I would not put the grips in the water. Try some type of rust remover like "Birchwood Casey" using a Q-tip or small hobby paint brush. Something that you can control. It should remove enough rust that you can finish it with oooo steel wool and gun oil. Key is to take your time.

Best Regards.....Frank

[CINDERS]

Putting the wood in water will cause it to swell maybe cracking out the rivets or splitting the wood also it will rust under the scales not a desirable thing.
Post #3 has the best option.

[Hcompton79]

I ended up cleaning it with tightly controlled naval jelly, followed by gun oil and steel wool. Thanks for the advice.

[englishman_ca]

I have de-rusted relic bayonets with the grip panels still on. Depending on what is used to make the electrolite solution will determine if it attacks the wood. I use either washing soda or dish washer crystals. Not a strong solution, just enough to let current flow. A generous palm full in a 5 gall bucket of water

Yes, water will swell the wooden grips, but the bayo was submerged in the solution for maybe two hours off and on. The grips didn't look to have soaked up too much water if any, they were still full of oil and crap that needed boiling out in laundry soap solution. I invert the bayo to submerge the grip in a coffee can on the stove.

Drastic measures for a lump of dirty rust, otherwise junk. Cleaned it all up and it is looking like a beat up bayonet again.

I think that sometimes bayonets got wet when in service, it didn't wreck the panels then either.

Oil and gentle cleaning with fine steel wool is always my first choice.

[Sunray]

Better to use 0000 steel wool and oil or a light touch with a fine, brass, wire wheel in a bench grinder(not a cloth wheel) than any chemical rust remover.
Electrolysis can produce nice gases like Chlorine and Hydrogen. The former is fatal if you survive the burning of the latter.
"...sometimes bayonets got wet when in service..." Yep, but the troopie didn't pay a big pile of money to replace it.