Locating Washing Soda for Rust Electrolysis

[Tracer]

For those looking for Arm & Hammer's Washing Soda in order to try the electrolysis mode of rust removal (for gas tanks, or anything rusty), here's some helpful information. I used it today, and it helped me find the only store (Copps) in my town of 60,000+ (Eau Claire, WI) that carried the stuff.

"Call this phone number 1-800-524-1328 and have the UPC code 33200-03020. The service will ask for your zip code and then tell you places in your area that sell the item."

This was taken from a page on www.thriftyfun.com that I found after Googling "arm and hammer washing soda where to buy".

I will be trying the electrolysis method this weekend, and will take pictures to document for anyone interested.

Best.

[TheCafeKid]

It works, and I will admit that *I* had problems finding washing soda myself.. Looked where all the other Arm And Hammer stuff was... not there, went to a couple of different places...Found mine at Kroger. In the Laundry Detergent isle...

[teet]

If Borax Washing Soda will work, they should have that at Walmart...

I picked up some for the wife a few weeks ago.


Jeff (teet)

[Nessism]

What kind of power source are you using? From what I've read you need to push some amps though the water. I tried using a couple of trickle chargers and it didn't seem to push enough electrons. Also, you need to move your probe around since the process works best if there is line of sight between the rusted surface and the electrode.

Please post some photos and details of your setup and results.

[Hammered]

Some Walmarts carry it. Ask one of the floor people. You can also check any of the different Dollar store type places.

[tkent02]

What kind of power source are you using? From what I've read you need to push some amps though the water. I tried using a couple of trickle chargers and it didn't seem to push enough electrons. Also, you need to move your probe around since the process works best if there is line of sight between the rusted surface and the electrode.

Please post some photos and details of your setup and results.

Regular charger with a two amp position or more works fine.

You can get it at a swimming pool supply place too, not called washing soda but it is the same stuff, carbonate of soda...

[cavehamster]

I did this to de-rust a tank. I ended up submerging the whole tank in a big rubermaid tote with my washing soda mix, using a 2 foot long piece of flat steel as my anode, and hooking it up to a 3 amp, 12 volt power supply.

It worked AMAZINGLY well. However, it also took most of the loose paint and clearcoat off the outside of the tank, no loss for me as the paint was junk anyway, but trying to hang a anode inside the tank was annoying me

I found the washing soda at my local grocery store near the washing detergents, near the stuff to get stains out.

[Tracer]

I plan on using a car battery charger. I am using a 12" carriage bolt and an 8" carriage bolt as the sacrificial electrodes. I bent them so they don't contact the tank, and I'll fabricate a mount for them out of some scrap 2X4. They were too heavy for a spray can cap as a mount. I also plan on using a wood screw through the wood to pin the electrodes to keep them from moving. The smaller electrode will be for the areas up front of the tank that may outside the line of sight of the larger electrode. I need the longer one mainly to be "visible" to the left side of the tank. My gas tank opening is offset to the right. I should be able to get after it tomorrow. Updates as warranted.

Thanks.