Rusted Garage metal table

[pitterpat]

When my dad died I inherited this metal table, it has that upper shelf which can fold up and a full shelf under the main table top. Some time in the last 6 months some kind of solution spilled on it and made the tabletop rusty. I found it when I cleaned it off today, I sprayed some Simple Green on it and washed it off. Now I'm wondering how/ what to do to get back to somewhat smooth (not really concerned about how smooth), or unrusty like the left corner in the pic below.

Should I sand it or is there something else to do? It isn't rusted through.


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[MrCat63]

If it's fairly smooth you can start with a scraper like a razor blade. Follow up with some scotch brite pads or the heavier duty stripper pads. You can use some bar keepers friend with the pads, it has a mild acid that helps.

Once it's clean a coat of paste wax will keep it looking nice and protect it from moisture.

Mark

 

[Racer_X]

This is a great product from the same folks that make Boeshield. In fact, I use it on machines before I coat them with Boeshield. Spray it on, wait a few minutes, wipe it off.

http://www.sears.com/boeshield-t-9-...rId=MyGoods&prdNo=34&blockNo=34&blockType=G34

You can get it from Amazon or the manufacturer... I just gave a Sears link because it may be more convenient.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I would be inclined to try a tub of Quick-Glo.

I bought it to clean up intake manifolds, but it is meant as a chrome polish.

In aluminum, It doesn't go straight to polishing. It accomplishes the de-rusting first, before polishing happens. So it's good for aluminum meant to be left natural

If you have wax, water, and volcanic ash, that would probably accomplish similar results. The wax should help the rust not get started so quickly again.

is that galvanization, or paint?

 

[metalmagpie]

First, you have to get off all the oils and paints. I'd try oven cleaner, even though it stinks.
Once you're done with that, I would use a random orbital sander with coarse sandpaper just to hold a 3M pad. Pour out something like kerosene and go over the table with the 3M pad. Keep running the random orbital sander and wiping clean until it looks good. You can use paste wax, but I recommend a product called CRC 3-36. Great stuff, it's like a grownup version of WD40.

metalmagpie

 

[D rock]

You could try vinegar. Try to make some sort of perimeter and just pour in on and let it sit. That or possibly ketchup, smear it on and cover the bench. They both do good with rust issues.