Prep for welding table surface for rust?

Goldhawg · Jan 19, 2015

I have a table that features a 1/4 plate top that had fairly heavy rust on the surface. I used a flap disc and grinder to get pretty much all of it off, but there are still some indentations that I just can't get totally clean even using a wire wheel. I'm sure I'm going to have a good electrical question. Is there anything I can put on the table to minimize further rust (its going to be in a climate controlled basement)? But I don't want something that's going to really get on the part of whatever I'm tig welding. Thoughts?

PS: The wood behind will be covered with aluminum sheet and I have a fire extinguisher right above; plus this is tig--I shouldn't have anything splattering.

Cope · Jan 19, 2015

Best to leave in natural and just check for rust. My table is at the front of my garage and when we get a heavy rain, water drips between the sections of the garage door. I just hit it with a wire brush.

zkling · Jan 19, 2015

What does the other side look like rust wise? Some of those pits look pretty deep. My tig table is cast iron that I buff paste wax into occasionally for rust prevention. With your table having such large pits you will end up with chunks of paste wax in there.

Depends on the humidity in your basement but you may not have as many problems with rusting as you may think.

How do you like the Syncrowave 210?

Zeke · Jan 19, 2015

I'd just put a 7" grinding off set disc in a decent grinder (or even a HF unit) and lay that puppy flat and go to town. AFA keeping that surface, well hit it when it needs it.

BD1 · Jan 19, 2015

Vinegar works great for removing rust. Dump it on straight , brush around, leave set . wipe off and wire wheel.

Goldhawg · Jan 19, 2015

zkling said:
How do you like the Syncrowave 210?

No idea...just got it with the Zoro sale and trying to set up the configuration to start using it. I'm excited to get with though.

IUEC Medic · Jan 19, 2015

Be careful with what you use to clean any surface that will be welded on. Certain cleaners/solvents can be extremely dangerous. Brake cleaner, for instance, when mixed with argon and heat, can turn into phosgene and kill you in very low concentrations, very quickly.

90zcar · Jan 19, 2015

IUEC Medic said:
Be careful with what you use to clean any surface that will be welded on. Certain cleaners/solvents can be extremely dangerous. Brake cleaner, for instance, when mixed with argon and heat, can turn into phosgene and kill you in very low concentrations, very quickly.

You mean when it's wet still or what? I'm not following. I thought that stuff just evaporated n didn't leave a film

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Goldhawg · Jan 19, 2015

BD1 said:
Vinegar works great for removing rust. Dump it on straight , brush around, leave set . wipe off and wire wheel.

I've done the Vinegar and it really makes it clean. If this doesn't cause any health issues I'll just stick with it.

astroracer · Jan 20, 2015

I use Metal Prep, you can get it through Eastwood or most any paint supplier.
http://www.por15.com/POR-15-Metal-Prep_p_15.html
Cleans off the rust and leaves a zinc phosphate coating that prevents rust for a long time.
Here is a welding top I cleaned up a couple of years ago. Knocked off all of the loose stuff with a D/A.

First pass with the Metal Prep and ScotchBrite pad. I spray the MP on and simply scrub it with the ScotchBrite.

After the second pass it was pretty clean. It's hot rolled so the marbleing you see will not come out.

This is the bench it's on. I repurposed a trash picked vanity.

The bench was built a year and half ago and the top is still clean and rust free.

skipnay · Jan 20, 2015

I will have to get you pictures of mine. I had mine sand blasted.

sailah · Jan 20, 2015

90zcar said:
You mean when it's wet still or what? I'm not following. I thought that stuff just evaporated n didn't leave a film

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I seem to recall reading an article that the phosgene would happen if you welded over a wet pocket and vaporize the stuff. Either way, I just don't use it. I wipe down with acetone until I hear it squeak on aluminum and I know it's flashed off.

Here's the article

http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html

wahoowad · Jan 20, 2015

My welding table is about the same size and condition (light pitting) as the OP. I've had it about 6 years and probably resurfaced it to remove light rust and weld marks once every 12 to 18 months. I hit it with a flap disk and/or wire wheel, then a wiped-down with any type of general purpose lightweight oil to prevent rust. Once or twice I heated the table up first to help the oil seep into the tiny crevices. Usually requires a second wipe-down the next day to remove any excess. This was a garage that gets humid in summer.

Prep for welding table surface for rust?

Goldhawg

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