What is derochee?

In jewelry-making, derusting is the stage that follows annealing and brazing. It's an essential step in jewelry manufacturing. Basically, it cleans your parts. Derobing is used to remove traces of oxidation due to annealing and traces of borax due to soldering.

The deroaching bath is a solution of sulfuric acid and water (1 part acid to 9 parts water).
To avoid any violent chemical reaction, it is crucial to always apply the water before the acid during the process. Note that this bath is used hot.

Another chemical compound less aggressive thansulfuric acidcan be used: sodium bisulfate, better known as Sparex.
These products are harmful to health, so it's essential to take certain precautions before derusting metal:

• Wear gloves, goggles and a respirator.
• Work in a well-ventilated room, with windows open as much as possible.
• You need an extractor hood over your derusting area.

How do I derobe and derobe metal?

To prepare your déroché, you'll need a heat-resistant container. Here, we've used a Pyrex bowl (a slow cooker or bottle warmer will do) and a hot plate.

1. Put some water in your bowl, then add the sulfuric acid, taking care to respect the proportions indicated (in this case, 30 g of detergent for 1 liter of water).
Note: it's the acid you add to the water, not the other way around!

2. Heat it all up on your hotplate. The crystals of the déroché powder will dissolve, and when they are completely dissolved, your déroché is ready.
Be careful not to boil the déroché!

3. Leave the pieces in the déroché for several minutes.

To retrieve parts from a de-roasting bath, use brass, copper or even plastic tongs to avoid contaminating the de-roché. Do not use steel or ferrous metal tongs, as these materials will create a chemical reaction that may contaminate the de-roach. If the de-oiling solution is contaminated, all the parts will come out with a pinkish color.

4. Dip your pieces in a bowl of cold water with a little bicarbonate to rinse and clean them.

How do I change a jewelry stone and neutralize the acid?

You can use a deroaching bath for several days or weeks, depending on how you use it and how many pieces of jewelry you soak in it.
But when the de-oiling bath is saturated with oxide, it's less effective. So it's time to change it.

But don't do it just any old way. If sulfuric acid and Sparex are dangerous to your health, it goes without saying that they are also harmful to the environment. To avoid polluting watercourses, it's best not to throw away dehydrated wood without first neutralizing it.

All you need isbicarbonate of soda.

It's essential to carry out this operation under an extractor hood, in a well-ventilated room and equipped with a protective mask, as the interaction of the acid and baking soda will produce toxic fumes.
Baking soda should be added gradually, as it tends to foam up a lot and can quickly boil over.

Once there's no longer any reaction between the acid and the bicarbonate, it's neutralized: you can throw it away!

** However, even when neutralized, it is no longer advisable to dispose of it down the drain: it may still contain metal residues (particularly copper) that are harmful to the environment. The best method is to store the used solution in a closed, labeled container, then dispose of it at a waste disposal center or a suitable hazardous waste facility.

recipes for homemade acid-free detergents?

Not a fan of chemicals? There are other alternatives to the classic deroché. Here are two ways to make homemade deroché:

• 1st recipe: White vinegar and coarse salt, also hot (do not boil)
  Take a cup of white vinegar and add 2 to 3 heaping spoonfuls of salt, or more. Heat until the salt has dissolved.
  Once the coarse salt has dissolved in the white vinegar, your déroché is ready. The disadvantage is the vinegar's smell, and you'll need to leave the pieces in the déroché for longer.
• 2nd recipe: Alum stone and water, always hot (do not boil)
  Use 4 to 5 tablespoons of Alum stone powder for 1 liter of water. You can find alum stone in organic stores, but it's better to buy it directly in powder form.