surface rust, how would you do this.

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Well I came across a 5x9 sheet of 1/8in steel and the price was right since it was free. I decided I was going to build my new fab/weld table out of it. The only problem is its covered in surface rust so I have to flap wheel the section i cut for my table. Would you guys do anything to the top to protect it from further rust after I flap wheel it, or just leave it shiny?
Reply:With continued use, the rust won't come back.
Reply:You cant beat free, but I suggest that you find some thicker material to make a table top with and save that for other projects.  Sheetmetal does NOT make for a good table top.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by claymans13Well I came across a 5x9 sheet of 1/8in steel and the price was right since it was free. I decided I was going to build my new fab/weld table out of it. The only problem is its covered in surface rust so I have to flap wheel the section i cut for my table. Would you guys do anything to the top to protect it from further rust after I flap wheel it, or just leave it shiny?
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88You cant beat free, but I suggest that you find some thicker material to make a table top with and save that for other projects.  Sheetmetal does NOT make for a good table top.
Reply:just dip a rag in some motor oil and rub it onto the surface, super easyforney f100 220vmiller thunderbolt 225v a/ccampbell hausfield flux welder 115vcraftsman o/a rig(harris)collosal tech plasma cutter 50amp
Reply:Get a paint removing disk to go after the rust. They work much better than a flap disc to remove rust.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:i agree that 1/8 steel is thick enought for your table top
Reply:Originally Posted by gto_welder01i agree that 1/8 steel is thick enought for your table top
Reply:I use Johnson's Paste wax on all the working surfaces (table saw, drill presses, welding table, etc.) in my shop to cut down rust.  Besides reducing the rust problem it acts as a dry lube for sliding things around and doesn't collect dust.Just my 2% of a dollar opinion.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:wd-40
Reply:...get the table top shiny...then I like the anti-spatter aerosol  spray...or you can get the concentrate to mix with water....  I don't like petroleum based oils on the welding stuff....causes porosity....as will most any other type of hydrocarbon....paint, oil/wax..?Dougspair
Reply:Just wipe it with an oily rag like SPG said, you'll be fine.Last edited by norite; 12-03-2010 at 01:17 AM.Reason: spelling"The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Originally Posted by Rog02I use Johnson's Paste wax on all the working surfaces (table saw, drill presses, welding table, etc.) in my shop to cut down rust.  Besides reducing the rust problem it acts as a dry lube for sliding things around and doesn't collect dust.Just my 2% of a dollar opinion.
Reply:Originally Posted by claymans13 I wouldn't exactly consider 1/8in sheet metal though. Most suppliers put it in the plate category anyway.
Reply:On some ships, we will mop the workshop deck with diesel and it will "dry" into the steel preventing it from rusting. It's amazing it's not more slippery or noxious smelling after a day or 2. Most decks are painted, but this one was not and it looked pretty cool. It was nice if we had some pipe to replace, we would tack the flanges to the deck so it would line back up perfect, then cut sections out of the middle and put new steel in.I wiped my cheap steel workbench that does not have a home inside yet with diesel on half the table. Still hardly no rust formed there after several months, but the half I didn't is rusted up.-Airco 300 Square Wave AC-DC-Lincoln MIG 140HD 110vSadly just propane/Mapp gas... for now.-Colchester/Clausing 13"x60"  Student Lathe
Reply:+1 on Ospho.  Should maintain good conductivity.  Any of the phosphoric-acid containing solutions should do the trick.  My local Lowe's sells one called Jasco Prep and Prime (near the paint thinner, etc).  Respirator, glasses/goggles, and real chem gloves (no thin latex/nitrle) are the minimum PPE.  Either put some on a paper towel and wipe it on or spray on with a sprayer and wipe off the excess.Anti-spatter sounds like it would probably work well too...
Reply:Originally Posted by dbotos+1 on Ospho.  Should maintain good conductivity.  Any of the phosphoric-acid containing solutions should do the trick.  My local Lowe's sells one called Jasco Prep and Prime (near the paint thinner, etc).  Respirator, glasses/goggles, and real chem gloves (no thin latex/nitrle) are the minimum PPE.  Either put some on a paper towel and wipe it on or spray on with a sprayer and wipe off the excess.Anti-spatter sounds like it would probably work well too...
Reply:I may be wrong on this but seeing how he is going to use this as a weld / fab table, would not wax or oil prevent a good ground? My weld table stays nice and rust free because every once in a while, I spray it with anti corrosion wire spray. It keeps the rust away and is not detrimental to good ground. I ground both the table and the work, just in case.
Reply:Just slide the part on the table a little and it'll dig through the oil or wax.  We're talking about a very very thin layer of oil or wax.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE