How to Use Electrolysis to Clean Your Metal Detecting Finds

Electrolysis is a simple process for removing rust, corrosion and concretions from your finds. Think of it as a way of "separating" materials that are bonded together. It works great on iron, but be aware that electrolysis can strip the patina off nonferrous items. Use it sparingly if at all.
I was not able to get a definitive ID on the hatchet used in the video. Best guess is that it may have been used to hew logs into beams.

[@freshofftheufo]

gorgeous results!

[@lenhowl]

Will baking soda work? Great vid

[@kakhioconnor2843]

Great video. Got me up and going. One question…..with coins do you have to do just one at a time or do you have a way to clean several coins at the same time?

[@OldAsDirtRelicHunting]

I've never tried more than one coin at a time. Might affect only the outside faces? Worth a try, though! Let me know what happens.

[@anthonytanzi]

a nice way to remember the polarity

[@JMl82daquest]

DC power supply on Amazon are like 20 bucks.

[@OldAsDirtRelicHunting]

If you mean the small block chargers, yes, those can be used. But they typically have fairly low amperage. That's fine for small items, but it would take days and days to clean rust off a larger piece.

[@JMl82daquest]

@OldAsDirtRelicHunting actual tabletop DC power supplies. One I got is a 0-30VDC@10 amp. Just rechecked the price. I was off by 40 bucks 😆

[@OldAsDirtRelicHunting]

@@JMl82daquest Good to know!

[@Jim-z8j]

@@OldAsDirtRelicHunting It's not a hewing hatchet as the blade is not off set from the head. I'm thinking it might be a shingling hatchet, but they have a hammer head on the back side. Does it look like something might be broke off from the back. Anyhow, great find.

[@OldAsDirtRelicHunting]

@@Jim-z8j Maybe! There's a concave area on the back edge, but it's hard to say if it's indicating a broken piece.

[@marshallkohlhaas80]

And you also created and prob filled that room with extra oxygen and hydrogen. Prob very healthy and regenerative just to breath the air in there.

[@Pics2FlicksDennis]

Not to mention explosive. While it may be hard to imagine sufficient gas volume being generated to create much of an explosion hazard, you should ALWAYS perform this in a well ventilated space with no sources of sparks or other ignition.