electrolysis help needed

[Moe (fl)]

Hi All,

I built my electrolysis kit and was able to find the pos/neg wires. I did a test with clad pennies which helped confirm my pos wire.

Questions:

- If the wires are attached correctly the target should start fizzing not the stainless steel bolt (attached to positive)? Is this correct?

- I tried to clean an iron nail and noticed that the alligator clip was fizzing not the nail. The tip of the alligator clip was in the water. Is this because the alligator clip is of a weaker metal than the iron nail? What should I do to avoid wearing out the alligator clip instead of the iron nail?

- Is electrolysis good only for silver? What metals should not be cleaned with this method?

Thanks for your answers.

Moe

 

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[Mike Spicer]

You are correct the part you are cleaning should fizz.
Did You have a good connection to the nail? somtimes I scrape a small spot bare to attach aligator clip to.
The Stainless steel bolt should be eaten away before Your aligator clip. I use copper aligator clip.
I have found that you can clean any metal. If you use low voltage. I use 3Volts. It should not attack the metal and only remove the crude.
I have found that alumunim turns out pitted more than other metals, but that because corrodes more here.
THEY say never clean a coin or anything of value $$.
Hope this helps
Mike

 

[Moe (fl)]

thanks Mike.

do you use baking soda or salt? I was using salt but read that this is corrosive. I will try baking soda.

Moe

 

[Mike Spicer]

I have always used salt.