Washing Soda electrolysis rust removal: will it hurt Babbitt?

[DennisT]

That says it. I've always had good luck with the battery charger/washing soda/water solution for removing rust. Am doing it now with excellent success on my FM 45 mill parts. Next up is the sliding saddle that has poured Babbitt bearings. I cannot imagine a small electrical current through a washing soda solution would do harm at all to Babbitt.
But it doesn't hurt to ask here, does it????????
Comments?

[windybob]

Do they need repoured anyway? I don't know the result of that process on lead.

[DennisT]

Thanks, Windy. No, this is on the brand new, (NOS), FM 45 I found last winter. So the Babbitt Bearing is perfect at this point. Worst case, I just clean up the cast saddle with wire brushes. Not a big deal either really.

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

It sure don't do aluminum any good, I know that. I would crimp some sinkers on a copper wire and try that first. I have been using a welder on my tub, I don't run it when I am not in the shop but it sure speeds things up.

[DennisT]

If it bothers aluminum, I'm not going to use it with Babbitt. I appreciate that comment. Welder..........wow. That must smoke the rust off!@!!

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

Almost everything bothers aluminum, I know caustic soda destroys it when vating an engine also.