Clean new steel with ___ before painting?

   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #1  

beppington

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I bought two steel square tubes from metalsdepot.com, & it arrived with a coating of oil/ grease, I guess to keep it from rusting. I guess this is typical since the steel pieces at Home Depot all seem to be oily, too.

What should I use to clean that off before painting?

Any ol' degreaser, or ___?

Thank you
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #2  
I bought two steel square tubes from metalsdepot.com, & it arrived with a coating of oil/ grease, I guess to keep it from rusting. I guess this is typical since the steel pieces at Home Depot all seem to be oily, too.

What should I use to clean that off before painting?

Any ol' degreaser, or ___?

Thank you

Laquer thinner should do it. If it is a high quality paint job then go to an auto paint shop, even NAPA should have it, and ask for a "metal prep".
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #3  
Degreaser is fine for getting off the oil, but you need to put some texture to the steel prior to painting. Preferably this is with a grit blasting, but a good stiff power brushing will work also. Painting onto smooth steel surfaces doesnt give the paint anything to latch onto, therefore when it gets a little chip, large areas pop off. If you power brush, you will need to degrease before and after the brushing to do it right. I would use a commercial degreaser with a power washer then use a power brush to put the texture on it followed by a wipe down with acetone or other solvent type cleaner. Put on a good steel primer (inorganic zinc or zinc chromate is best) followed by your top coat color of your choice. You will have a painted surface that will stay with you for years.
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #4  
laquer thinner will do it, BUT its one of the most volitile (read flamable, explosive, etc) degreasers out there....
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #5  
I always use a 36-grit sanding pad on a 4 1/2 inch grinder for cleanup after welding on anything I build.
 

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   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #6  
I've use mineral spirits to clean off the metal prior to painting.
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #7  
Gas is the cheapest. Gas is the most dangerous. Gas is the cheapest. Gas is the most dangerous. :thumbsup:
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #9  
Gas leaves a residue
 
   / Clean new steel with ___ before painting? #10  
Gas leaves a residue

But it'll cut through the heavy stuff to where your lighter degreaser will suffice.

But I get your point. :)
 

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