You can buy "Paint Drop" at most steel places. It is tin plated not
galvinized. It is used for building trim that is going to get painted.
Doug
James Barrett wrote:
> Folks,
> I had a need for some sheet metal for my firewall
> modifications while moving my 351C back more in the
> Tiger II. I had run out of the plain sheet metal and all I
> had was galvinized sheet metal. I hate that stuff, when you
> weld it the zinc spits, vaporizes and burns . It makes for
> a lousy weld and also makes me physically sick from the
> fumes ( sort of like a bad case of the flu).
> I was determined to take the zinc off and considered
> using the wire brush on my bench grinder. That would take
> forever and probably not get all the zinc off.
> I just solved the problem.
> I brushed on muriatic acid (32% hydrocloric acid used for
> pool maintenance). In less than five minutes the zinc was completely
> gone from both sides of the sheet metal. The zinc first turned
> black and then it was easy to brush off with the paint brush
> that I was applying the acid with. The acid fumes were bad,
> but I set up a fan to blow them away.
> After a good water wash I gave the ultra clean steel
> a light spray of WD-40 as I was not ready to weld it at the
> moment.
> I used my plastic laundry sink to do the acid work
> in. I kept the water running to prevent damage to the plumbing.
> Cleaned the sink nicely too.
>
> Recommand that you do not have an open flame
> or smoke during this procedure. I assume that some
> of the fumes may be flameable.
> Rubber gloves are recommended.
>
> I have previously used muriatic acid to clean rusty steel
> and rusty cast iron. It takes a little longer than zinc, but
> it does a great job. DO NOT try this to clean your
> alternator casting or pot metal parts. By, By casting if you do.
>
> Some of you will quickly note that what I am doing
> can cause hydrogen embrittlement. This may be true, and
> therefore I do not use this cleaning method on any parts
> that would cause safty problems if they broke.
>
>
> James Barrett Tiger II 351C and others
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