Total Newbie Question Thread

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I am a total newb to welding. Bought a cheap Harbor Freight 90 amp to see if I am going to like welding. I am just in it as a hobbiest and maybe an occasional repair on gates, trailers etc. I tried to find the answer by searching but nothing really came up that answered my question. I got some steel from a local place, all is cut to the sizes I needed and I going to build a small welding table. I know I can clean up the ends with a grinder, drill driven wire brush etc. to get the steel ready to weld. My main question is what do you guys use to clean up all of the steel so it can be primed and painted. This stuff is pretty greasy/oily. ThanksYou never know how STRONG you are... Until being strong is the ONLY choice you have.
Reply:First off, welcome to the forum!In answer to your question:  Personally I like to use "OSPHO" which is a brand of rust neutralizer/killer that is used to "pre-prime" the metal before painting.  There are other rust killer/inhibitors on the market by other brand names also.  For removing oily residue, most people I know of use either mineral spirits or acetone.  Some disagree on use of the mineral spirits as it tends to leave its own slight oily film behind.  I have used neither, so I can't comment on the benefits of either one.  Good luck on your choice, and again welcome.Last edited by smawgmaw; 09-16-2011 at 10:34 AM.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:welcome, enjoy and have fun. personally for cleaning the oily surface i use mineral spirits or fast dry naphtha before welding and if it's to be painted i clean it with lacquer thinner which leaves zero residue and is pretty cheap. if doing a big project do this outdoors so you don't get a very unhealthy really  good buzz from it that gives you one hell of a major headache later.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the information.You never know how STRONG you are... Until being strong is the ONLY choice you have.
Reply:Where are you located ?Seems to be a lot of us from Texas on this forum...Keep in mind that you have two goals.... one is the removal of the oil.... then the prep for painting.... and they are two different processes as far as I know....  For cheap large first cleaning of oily or grease situations.... one gallon can of GUNK brand Concentrate mixed with 3 to 4 gallons of Kerosene.... spray, let sit , perhaps spray again and let sit... then high pressure water ( with soap if available )... let or make dry...then ' Metal Prep ' .... phosphoric acid available at usual good auto parts stores.... or typically cheaper at dedicated auto paint stores.  Klix88 is typical wax and silicone remover during paint jobs....  Be sure to read the instructions on the cans...and use protective gear....   Primer is very important....to help the paint stick to the metal....  and remember that primer does not protect paint from rusting.... only top coated metal is protected from rusting.... these guys driving only primered cars around .... have rust forming under the primer...Last edited by GBM; 09-16-2011 at 02:41 PM.Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.