Zinc plating and welding

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I need to modify a hinge by adding some angle iron to one half. The hinge is zinc plated. Other than fumes, any problem with this?
Reply:Clean the area to be welded off (and a little bit around it) with a wire wheel, and even fumes won't be an issue.  Then use some self-etching primer on the weld and the area around it when you're done.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Yeah, just don't inhale the smoke plume when you weld.  I own a corporate electro plating company and we get questions like this routinely by new welders.  I'm more concerned with Cadmium plated metals that are welded on without precautions or even welding stainless steel which produce Hexavalent Chromium.  Very very very bad smoke!!!!Yes, zinc smoke is bad if inhaled, but not like the other two metals I listed.  Like the other poster said, sand/grind away the zinc area to be welded (don't breath the grinding dust) and preferably, weld OUTSIDE.  You'll be fine.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I do a good bit of welding on zinc plated parts.  Try to do it outdoors, if you have to do it indoors use a fan to move the plume away from you and either way wear a particulate filter/respirator.K.I.S.S evading the minds of engineers since the beginning of time.Lincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln Ranger 305GLincoln SP 185