Electrolysis on scabby alloy parts?

[whitbytom]

I've got a set of wheels that are in a bit of a state, and I'm about to make a start on refurbing em. There is a thick coating of flaky paint/muck/corrosion on the backs of all the wheels. Looks like this:



I've looked at electrolysis using a tank of water with bicarb of soda solution in it and a battery charger, but I've only seen it used on rusty steel or iron parts. Would that method be suitable to use on alloy? I'd really like to avoid spending hours removing all that curse word while trying not to damage the alloy beneath.

The main reason I ask is that on the bicarb packaging it says 'avoid contact with aluminium'

If anyone could advise that would be a big help. Cheers

[cobblers]

That is a wheel? curse word!

I've always found corrosion on aluminium to be poorly adhered to the metal beneath - a good wire brushing takes the loose stuff off, then some high build primer (over an etch primer) to get a smooth finish.

Rather than fannying about with electrolysis (which stands a chance of making the thing worse depending on how you set it up) I'd just get a knotted wire wheel in a grinder, one in an drill and spend an hour on the back of them.

[stealthstylz]

Just get em blasted should only cost about £40 and requires no effort lol.

Matt

[mikemai47]

Just done mine with a knot brush on my grinder and small wire brushes in the drill, just be gentle with it....Oh, and wear a mask, it tastes disgusting ;D I reckon the electrolysis method might be a bit risky as it may damage the good surfaces on the front.

[jrevillug]

I wouldn't use electrolysis on alloy - especially not with a bicarb of soda mix. The Bicarb will slowly dissolve the alloy...

[BenzBoy]

I'd be a bit reluctant to use a knotwheel + grinder - I've managed to make deep "swirls" in steel, let alone softer alloy. But maybe you guys have a more delicate approach! ;D I'd have thought a regular wire wheel and drill would take all that lot off no bother.

[whitbytom]

Cheers guys. I guess it's overalls goggles and mask time then!

[steveo3002]

as said blasting is the best way forward...it will remove the corrosion from any deep pits and leave a uniform finish

wire wheel will ruin em

[whitbytom]

Problem is finding a gentle enough blaster. I've had wheels before where previous over zealous sandblasting has wrecked the alloy

[Mystery Machine]

Dec 9, 2009 10:33:03 GMT whitbytom said:

Problem is finding a gentle enough blaster. I've had wheels before where previous over zealous sandblasting has wrecked the alloy

Shame you're not this side of the country - look what I've just bought for RR people to use: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=othrmod&action=display&thread=57168&page=29#956603

That way you get the wheels blasted cheap and the quality of finish is not in the hands of an over zealous guy charging you £££ for the privelege

[bortaf]

Soda blasting works wonders on ally, but TBH i just use a cup wire brush in a 12V drill, never ruined a wheel yet you've got to be bloody heavy handed to do any damage with one of those and trust me i'm a clumsy fooker at the best of times

[datman]

blast
ive seen many an alloy gouged by people using wire wheels on them, but that was the machined area, should be ok on the back of the wheel like that.

Place near me charges about £35 to blast a set of wheels. not worth fannying about as you'd spend probably a tenner in consumables yourself.

[whitbytom]

Well I already bought the soda crystals, and I have a large compressor and a blow gun, so I might have a go at soda blasting em, as per the how to that was posted on here a while back:

www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

I'll try and get the worst of the grot off beforehand, it may take ages to do 4 whole wheels, but it's worth a try I guess