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Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:11 pm
by DennisT
That says it. I've always had good luck with the battery charger/washing soda/water solution for removing rust. Am doing it now with excellent success on my FM 45 mill parts. Next up is the sliding saddle that has poured Babbitt bearings. I cannot imagine a small electrical current through a washing soda solution would do harm at all to Babbitt.
But it doesn't hurt to ask here, does it????????
Comments?

Re: Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:25 pm
by windybob
Do they need repoured anyway? I don't know the result of that process on lead.

Re: Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:43 pm
by DennisT
Thanks, Windy. No, this is on the brand new, (NOS), FM 45 I found last winter. So the Babbitt Bearing is perfect at this point. Worst case, I just clean up the cast saddle with wire brushes. Not a big deal either really.

Re: Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:35 pm
by Kansas Rust Buzzard
It sure don't do aluminum any good, I know that. I would crimp some sinkers on a copper wire and try that first. I have been using a welder on my tub, I don't run it when I am not in the shop but it sure speeds things up.

Re: Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 10:56 pm
by DennisT
If it bothers aluminum, I'm not going to use it with Babbitt. I appreciate that comment. Welder..........wow. That must smoke the rust off!@!!

Re: Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 5:26 pm
by Kansas Rust Buzzard
Almost everything bothers aluminum, I know caustic soda destroys it when vating an engine also.