[TheForge] electrolysis

[Bruce Freeman]

Use a very short soaking in acid.  Muriatic works fine, but even
vinegar would work. ( Degrease first with detergent or whatever.)
Zinc is a very active metal and will bubble off hydrogen gas as it
dissolves.  When the rapid bubbling stops, the zinc is gone.

Remember to dispose of the zinc-containing liquid safely.  Trace
amounts of zinc are not toxic or an environmental hazard, but the key
here is "trace".  If you go lightly with the acid, you may be able to
add lye or washing soda (CAREFUL - violent reaction, like adding water
to acid!) and precipitate the zinc as a solid.  But that will only
work if the zinc chloride or carbonate exceeds its solubility limit.
Zinc chloride is also useful as a soldering flux, if you care to
recycle it as such.  If you only pickle small amounts, these tricks
will neither work nor be necessary.

On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:08 AM, Ron Childers <ron at munlaw.net> wrote:
> Has anyone tried to use electrolysis to remove zinc from a galvanized
> bolt? It works really well for rust but I've never tried it for zinc. A
> long soak in acid? I don't want to burn it off because of the dangerous
> fumes. Any other ideas pro or con? Thanx, Ron
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-- 
Bruce
NJ