Electronic cleaning question (polarity)

ronz · June 20, 2012, 11:41 AM

Ok I have used it before to clean off rust where you hook up the negative to the part being cleaned
And positive to the sacrificial iron electrode
Wanted to try it on the bore but was worried about removing the chrome plating
But everything that I read about using it for bore cleaning has the positive hooked up to the gun

Why? Wouldn’t that be the same as plating?

Or is it just to get the chemicals into the surface metal of the bore so they can work
I’m confused could someone that knows how this works explain why you hook it up backwards for the bore

ronz · June 21, 2012, 12:28 AM

Found the answer
The copper ions have a positive charge (Cu+2) and are not going to be attracted to the positive electrode (anode), they are going to be attracted to the negative electrode (cathode).

June 20, 2012, 11:41 AM	#1
ronz Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: milwaukee wi Posts: 220	Electronic cleaning question (polarity) Ok I have used it before to clean off rust where you hook up the negative to the part being cleaned And positive to the sacrificial iron electrode Wanted to try it on the bore but was worried about removing the chrome plating But everything that I read about using it for bore cleaning has the positive hooked up to the gun Why? Wouldn’t that be the same as plating? Or is it just to get the chemicals into the surface metal of the bore so they can work I’m confused could someone that knows how this works explain why you hook it up backwards for the bore

June 21, 2012, 12:28 AM	#2
ronz Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: milwaukee wi Posts: 220	Found the answer The copper ions have a positive charge (Cu+2) and are not going to be attracted to the positive electrode (anode), they are going to be attracted to the negative electrode (cathode).