Good way to clean new metal?

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I'm putting in vertical pieces on a long "wrought-iron" type fence.  This is square tubing, 1/2", 16 gauge.  I have a BUNCH of it, in big 24 foot lengths that need to be cut into over 500 4-foot pieces.  The question is, how can I CLEAN this stuff?  You don't really see much goo on it, but when you handle it, this black dirty stuff comes off on your hands. It's hard to describe - sort of powdery/greasy.  That'll have to be cleaned off before it can be painted.  Is there a viable way to do it?-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:For the initial cleaning on the long cold rolled I start with old rags and the mineral spirits/paint thinner of the deodorized variety. The long sticks are ideal to clean before cutting it all up and cleaning a bunch of small sticks.  Acetone and lacquer thinner evaporate too quick for me on these lengthy cleaning sessions. It's just back dirty oil so the mineral spirits is plenty enough of a cutting agent for starters. Come time to paint, different story."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyFor the initial cleaning on the long cold rolled I start with old rags and the mineral spirits/paint thinner of the deodorized variety. The long sticks are ideal to clean before cutting it all up and cleaning a bunch of small sticks.  Acetone and lacquer thinner evaporate too quick for me on these lengthy cleaning sessions. It's just back dirty oil so the mineral spirits is plenty enough of a cutting agent for starters. Come time to paint, different story.
Reply:Simple Green & hot water works really well.  Make sure to use protective gloves (household cleaning long sleeve) That fine black rolling lube and the ground black scale will fill every pore in your skin - and doesn't easily come out.  Don't ask how I know.
Reply:I use good ol' kerosene on a rag. Cheap and takes the oily grime off.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:I always use isopropyl alcohol 99% to degrease.  Dirt cheap from your local pharmacy or grocery store.  A brush of some sort will probably make it easier.KevinKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:purple power degreeser in a garden sprayer 1 part purple power to 5 parts water.Spray with sprayer wipe down with rag.    Did 3500' of apartment handrail last year and that was the best wayVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Greased Lightning and a power washer....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.