Electrolytic Rust Removal
 

Hi,

I have seen electrolytic rust removal mentioned a couple of times on the forums, but I don't think I have seen this question addressed. Will electrolytic rust removal have any adverse affects on the joints of a lugged steel brazed frame? (It's a Tange #1 chromoly frame)

Thanks,
Wes

Only if all your brazing has turned to rust.

"Electrolytic removal" is not an easy and risk free procedure. Health hazards can be high. Also if you leave anything in there a mite too long, you remove a mite too much metal. Which you won't be able to put back on. Also, there can occur bad surface pitting according to quality of metal, different degrees of oxydyzation on different parts of the metal.

I have used this procedure before to remove rust from some tools, but they were, in general, a single piece of metal. My understanding is that the pitting has already occurred, and that electrolytic rust removal simply removes rust that is currently in the pits. I just wanted to know if there are special considerations to take into account because of the brazing. Has anyone tried electrolytic rust removal on parts of a brazed frame?

The brazing seems to be in quite good condition, most of the rust is concentrated on the dropouts, around cable braze-ons, and on the underside of the bottom bracket housing.

Thanks for your input,
Wes