Posted by Jon on December 03, 2000 at 16:37:03:
In Reply to: Cleaning Artifacts posted by Reefraider on December 03, 2000 at 15:46:55:
The best way to clean artificats made from iron is soaking the item in a electolytic bath. Fill a container (glass or plastic) with an electrolytic solution (95% distilled water, 5% backing soda. Then take a battery charger (6 or 12 volt) connect the positive wire to a steel rod and insert part of the rod into the solution. Attach steel wire to the artifact and run the line out side the bath. Connect the negative wire to the steel wire.
If the solution is working it will bubble. If it doesn't, check your connection. Depending on how badly the item is encrusted will determine how long you need to soak the item.
Dive safe,
Jon