Specifically, it was a solution of water and washing soda — a combination that would act as the electrolyte in my electrolysis rust-removal experiment.

This how to guide to cleaning rust of civil war artillery projectiles (that have been disarmed or solid bolts), tools, or anything else with electrolysis. We took this rare civil war artillery ...

For rust removal, I use electrolysis, applying gentle methods to avoid damaging the axe head. After five hours at 8 amps, most rust is gone, leaving a blackened finish.