Removing rust from large steel plates

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Anyone have any tips/tricks to removing rust from large steel plates (say 2.5' x 4.5' by 1/2") other than grinding it or hitting it with a wire brush (even the wire wheels on an angle grinder)?I saw something online for electrolysis, but this is too big and heavy for me to set that up.
Reply:get something like navel jelly or CLR. there are chemical treatments out there that can take the rust off... it's just a question of how quickly you need it done and how clean you need it to be.Miller TB302Miller Spectrum 1000Miller Spectrum 1251XMT 456 CC/CVCoolmate 4D-74D Dual Wire Feeder2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab (Cummins of course)
Reply:I can let it sit overnight, or even a day or two...  I am looking to get it really clean though.The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:the eastwood company makes a few rust removers that work great...eastwood.com should be the link
Reply:What sort of rust?Built up scale and pits, or just surface rust?How clean?Just clean enough to work with and paint? You want to clean up something like this?Attachment 32173Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:36 PM.
Reply:For large stuff, I'm partial to sand blasting if a light brushing won't suffice.
Reply:can you let me scavenge through your scrap pile denrep ?I love looking in other peoples steel scrap piles, always find something this gives inspiration .
Reply:There's acid cleaning; muriatic being the most readily available.Follow all safety precautions.That size plate, -if not using the other heat cleaning technique- should go to Joe's Grill... let him cook on it for a week.  Originally Posted by eyspycan you let me scavenge through your scrap pile denrep ?I love looking in other peoples steel scrap...
Reply:It will be my welding table top.  Won't be painted, but I would like it as clean as possible.  It will be surface rust.The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:If it's just surface rust, I'd just hit it with a 4 1/2 grinder with a 60 or 80 grit flapper disc and call it a day.
Reply:Hell for surface rust spray some wd40 on it and go at it with a wirewheel, it will shine in 10 min.  Just wipe off as you move along.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88Hell for surface rust spray some wd40 on it and go at it with a wirewheel, it will shine in 10 min.  Just wipe off as you move along.
Reply:Sanndblasting Fast and Cheap! With no chemical to deal withCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:So you want to clean plate, without using power tools, huh?In the great outdoors, I hope?I've cleaned a lot of used plate for reuse. It's better if the plate is also somewhat greasy, oily, or painted, instead of just rusted, but it works either way.I wasn't sure the world was ready, but after seeing 59halfstep's bacon lance...  ...we're ready.Here 'tis, this is the same chunk shown in post #5:Attachment 32208Attachment 32210Attachment 32209Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:36 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepSo you want to clean plate, without using power tools, huh?In the great outdoors, I hope?I've cleaned a lot of used plate for reuse. It's better if the plate is also somewhat greasy, oily, or painted, instead of just rusted, but it works either way.I wasn't sure the world was ready, but after seeing 59halfstep's bacon lance...  ...we're ready.Here 'tis, this is the same chunk shown in post #5:Good Luck
Reply:Alfred wasn't available for the action shot, but you get the picture.That was probably about a #8 tip.Good Luck