Steel Prep

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So I'm still new to welding and have started on my first project, picnic tables for the ranch (pics to follow once I finish). I have noticed that the steel I am using is extremely dirty. Not so much rusted, just filthy. It is leaving a dark black "soot" all over my hands / gloves. I do take a grinding wheel to the areas before I weld, but what about the rest of the piece? Is that just part of it? I don't mind getting dirty, in fact that is part of the fun, but now my brand new welding gloves are black from handling the tubing. It's also a pain to keep switching from my welding gloves to a pair of standard gloves. Just wondering what you guys think. Should I be cleaning all the steel or is it just a fact of life? Thanks in advance.Brian
Reply:It's kind of a fact of life with HRS (hot-rolled steel). It's called "mill scale" and it's an oxide of iron formed when the steel is rolled out hot and formed when it's glowing hot.You can grind it off. I think some people take it off with hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid or toilet bowl cleaner), then rinse it well with fresh water to remove the acid. If you do it that way, it just rusts immediately, so instead of black gloves, you'll have rusty gloves. Just a different oxide of iron.You don't really HAVE to remove it to stick weld, but you do need to remove it before painting, if you want to get a good paint job.
Reply:Most likely it is the oil they put on it to keep if from rusting. Mix up a bucket of Tide and water and wipe it down first
Reply:I'm going to disagree with kelvin. what you're talking about is grease on the steel. The mill scale doesn't come off on your gloves so much as the grease does. Most of the steel I buy has both. and the grease can be cleaned off with a mild solvent. It's there to prevent rust. so remove sparingly/when you're going to use it/paint it afterwards.The mill scale will still be on the steel and should be removed if you're going to paint. but I generally reserve this for after the piece is assembled. it will keep rust to a minimum while your project waits to be finished.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI'm going to disagree with kelvin. what you're talking about is grease on the steel. The mill scale doesn't come off on your gloves so much as the grease does. Most of the steel I buy has both.
Reply:Kelvin - pickled steel is when they used acid to remove the mill scale and other junk.Read up here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickling_(metal)Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I wash it down with degreaser and use sanding sponges to scour.  Breaking down the grease reduces the soot tremendous. If parts are small enough the I soak them in degreaser.  Breaks down the oil inside the tubing.The smell of the burning oil when welding might be your next complaint, so soak parts if possible.I was not satisfied with a pressure washer, takes about as much time as painting. With sponges I can sometimes wipe 4  sides at a time.  I have considered a long pvc tubing for soaking and agitating tubing by rolling the pvc. Having done it yet.  probably be more efficient than a large barrel?I use greased lightning for the price and have been quite satisfied.  I also use B-52 degreaser, it is alkaline.  still trying to decide if I like it.
Reply:Thanks for all the help guys. I'll have to see if I can find some Greased Lightning. Maybe just some Dawn dish soap with water and a large sponge.
Reply:Save the welding gloves for welding. Get some  leather or cotton ones for handling material.
Reply:Originally Posted by musickbcThanks for all the help guys. I'll have to see if I can find some Greased Lightning. Maybe just some Dawn dish soap with water and a large sponge.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderI wash it down with degreaser and use sanding sponges to scour.
Reply:scotch brite pad and some acetone / denatured alchol  will prep your weldzoneMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by k45Just a warning, I think the fumes from welding with residue from SOME degreasers is very, very dangerous.  Maybe someone else knows more detail.
Reply:What kind of steel are you talking about? Hot Rolled will have mill scale, but usually dry and not that dirty, while most any tube whether round, square or rectangular is made from cold-rolled and will have oil/grease from the forming process and for protection from rust. By the time you buy it, it's usually pretty dirty, most any water based detergent will clean it up.Brake cleaner and other chlorinated stuff can cause toxic fumes when exposed to the welding arc or high heat, then you get nerve damage, which is how I lost my hearing in just a couple hours. Phosgene gas, which can kill you, or permanently destroy your hearing, and lungs.   Look at the label on the container, if it says 'photo-reactive' it shouldn't be in a welding shop.Dougspair
Reply:I'm primarily seeing the dirt and grease on square tubing. The angle and flat stock doesn't seem to be dirty, though it does have mill scale on it. I didn't know that tubing was cold-rolled. Learn something new everyday. I'll have to check labels from now on. Didn't realize it could be that dangerous. Thanks for the heads up. I'll probably just mix up some dish soap and water, wipe down the tubing with a sponge, and then make sure I let it dry.Brian
Reply:Originally Posted by dougspairBrake cleaner and other chlorinated stuff can cause toxic fumes when exposed to the welding arc or high heat, then you get nerve damage, which is how I lost my hearing in just a couple hours. Phosgene gas, which can kill you, or permanently destroy your hearing, and lungs.
Reply:Simple Green is safe to use and works well. Mix with water and put in spray bottle. Coat your steel and let stand about 5 to 10 minutes and then wipe with shop towels.Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2