Cleaning New Steel Stock

[wsp617]

I don't have a great deal of experience with welding but I am in the process off repairing a damaged boat trailer. I bought a couple pieces of steel stock that have a coating on them to prevent rust. What is the best way to clean that stuff off the steel before continuing? Looking at painting it and there will be some welding done. Mainly concerning getting it cleaned for paint though. Thanks!

 

[sal64]

laquer thinners.

 

[bbrown4804]

Wire wheel, flap wheel, or grinding disc works great for taking the mill scale off of new steel. When I have to paint new steel, I wipe the area down with wax and grease remover to get any real nasty stuff off, then right before I prime I wipe it down with a solvent like paint thinner or laquer thinner.

 

[Todd727]

Probably don't need to worry about mill scale unless you are going to TIG

 

[wsp617]

OK Thanks, I'll see how it goes.

 

[xryan]

ALWAYS grind through the paint, galvanize, mill scale, rust, grass, etc to base metal before welding with a wire wheel, sanding disk, grinding wheel or sand blaster. Mig, Tig, stick, whatever the process.

 

[eastexan]

ALWAYS grind through the paint, galvanize, mill scale, rust, grass, etc to base metal before welding with a wire wheel, sanding disk, grinding wheel or sand blaster. Mig, Tig, stick, whatever the process.

You don't have to be that picky with stick, if you're using 6010 or 6011.
They'll dig right on through it and give you a good strong weld. Done it and seen it done many times. :thumbsup:

 

[rcowan]

I've always been told to to take it to bare metal maybe overkill but a good practice if you have the time.

RC

 

[Stampeder]

Clean bare metal with mineral spirits or lacquer thinner (gets the mill scale off).
ALWAYS clean before you weld. Grind 30 degree bevel, then weld.
To quote my dad (who was welding foreman in shipyard for 27 years);" A good welder grinds before he welds, a poor one after".

 

[Jesse masterson]

Everybody's got a different opinion, kinda like religion , who's right depends who you talk to, personally from experience and a dad who was a union pipe fitter and brother who also was a fitter combined 70 years . It depends on the application if it's a crucial weld, bevel with a grinder if it's not don't bother. A good welder with a stick with 7018 can weld something without a bevel a d8 cat can't pull apart. However if your iffy about your welding skills better bevel.and definitely grind off the galvanized coating burning it can make you sick although lots of people burn it off. And personally I wouldn't worry about paint a stick will burn right through it. A good welder will make a strong weld regardless of prep.