Thanks for posting your experiences, Splash.
Just a couple of points. First, washing soda is not the same a baking soda. Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Washing soda is better than baking soda since it is more soluble and produces a more basic solution (which is desired).
Second, many of the web sites that discuss this technique strongly recommend AGAINST using stainless steel for the anode. The reason for this is that you will be producing very poisonous chromates in your electrolyte. Here is a brief description of what happens and the potential hazards:
Stainless Steel Electrodes Also, at least one of the sites I visited stated that copper should never be used for the anode.
Here's a few other sites that discuss the technique. The first one is excellent IMHO.
Rust Removal Using Electrolysis Rust Removal using Electrolysis Electrolysis, the science behind it OK, I've been doing some more searching. How about using this technique to de-rust an
entire frame?
Trailer Electrolysis
