How to keep a welding table from rusting?

FourOnTheFloor65 · 04-09-2010, 05:10 AM

I picked up a nice heavy steel table a few months ago, that I have modified into a nice welding table. It has been in my garage where it has surface rusted a bit. I was wondering if there is anything that I could put on it to prevent or at least postpone the rusting? I would think that putting oil on it would cause problems with the electrical conductivity from what I'm welding to the table.

Is there something that is commonly used for this that doesn't cause conductivity problems, or should I just keep sanding it once a month or so?

Thanks,
Ryan

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MSI · 04-09-2010, 11:25 AM

Use it regularly ..... control the humidity in your garage.
We have never treated any of our tables, and they have been setup for 5 years now in the new shop area with no signs of any rust ...

-mark

FourOnTheFloor65 · 04-09-2010, 12:06 PM

Well the garage isn't temperature controlled. I heat it when I am working on something and it is cold outside. I open the doors when it's hot. It is insulated but it still gets humid from time to time. Maybe some kind of plastic cover will help.

kharris4 · 04-09-2010, 12:14 PM

Just try to keep it clean. If it's rusted once, then it'll rust again even if you think you got it off.

One measure that you may consider is cleaning it up real nice, then welding a thin gage sheet of metal over top of it. Then you have a nice new table to work on.

Whenever we weld SS we use an SS table, CS we use a CS table. Maybe you could incorperate that into your renovation.

tom@kartboy · 04-09-2010, 12:21 PM

what ive always used was to put a bunch of WD40 on the table and work it in with a red scotchbrite pad. let it soak in for a bit then wipe clean. you might need to do it ever few months depending on the weather there.

T

Dodik · 04-09-2010, 12:40 PM

some sort of zinc coating? never tried it but theoretically may work

cowboy_Rob · 04-09-2010, 12:41 PM

yea just sand the hell out of it then rub in wd40. it wont affect the conductivity but dont use too much because it can burn if you have puddles of it on there.

syndromeofthedown · 04-09-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodik

some sort of zinc coating? never tried it but theoretically may work

DO NOT zinc coat your table. Not even remotely a good idea. I second, rather third the WD40 notion. It will not affect anything provided you wipe the excess off.

kcpaz · 04-09-2010, 07:12 PM

you can treat the surface with Jasco, of any other phospheric acid based rust prep. You can buy them at most hardware stores like ACE, and True Value. It will actually help prevent future rust without leaving a greasy film like WD40.

Ron89 · 04-09-2010, 08:02 PM

I got a free sample of a product from Blue Works (associated with WD40). They sent me a little catalog that had this stuff in it. Looks like it might be what you are looking for?
http://www.blueworksbrand.com/produc...ose-lubricant/
There's even a little side by side comparison.

On top of it all you can order a free sample of this stuff to see if you like it. I chose the PTFE Lube so I can't say if it works well or not...but hey its free.
http://www.blueworksbrand.com/sample

The only thing that kinda sucked is it took a couple weeks to get it but I'm not really surprised.

feint05 · 05-21-2010, 11:37 PM

cold galvanizing compound?

fan boy · 05-22-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom@kartboy

what ive always used was to put a bunch of WD40 on the table and work it in with a red scotchbrite pad. let it soak in for a bit then wipe clean. you might need to do it ever few months depending on the weather there.

T

worked at a machine shop, and that's how they cleaned/maintained all the bench tops.

Mr. Wagon · 05-23-2010, 07:36 PM

About a year ago I got a new Acorn platen at work. It came in with a nice shade of red rust from sitting outdoors. I orbital sanded it and then hit it with a nice coat of paste wax. This is in a shop with no climate control and no rust has returned.

Viperguy324 · 05-24-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodik

some sort of zinc coating? never tried it but theoretically may work

very bad for welding...

Quote:

Originally Posted by feint05

cold galvanizing compound?

Even worse...

madmax718 · 05-25-2010, 04:07 PM

Its not that zinc is bad for welding, the fumes are quite toxic.

If you dont use your bench/table often, try to keep a good polish on it- the smoother the table, the less problems. Also, as recommended wd40 (but it dries quickly). I prefer CLP, rem oil, or even just regular motor oil. Just spray a little break clean on a cloth and wipe down before using. You had best make sure its clean if you do aluminum.

RaceFaceXC · 05-25-2010, 09:28 PM

corrosionX spray on, wipe down so its wet but not puddled. repeat every cpl times you use the table, assuming its used infrequently. Wont hurt conductivity, even when electrical joints are saturated. I constantly fight steel and aluminum corrosion and this is the best thing for it, period.

P.S. 16 Oz is enough to treat an avg size welding tabel (4'x4' -ish) dozens of times.

charliew · 07-10-2010, 02:52 PM

I have a metal work bench that got scratched up so I took all the paint off the top work area and just wipe it down with eastwoods metal ready maybe twice a year. If it does get a spot on it I just use some emery cloth on it and add the metal ready. Also you could probably get a piece of cardboard and spray some oil on it lightly and put it on the table when you or not using it with the oily side down. Just a idea. I usually have to clean a bench off to have a place to work in my shop.

jakedademon · 07-11-2010, 01:02 AM

Sprinkle some crack on it.

PERRIN_Jarid · 07-12-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSI

Use it regularly ..... control the humidity in your garage.
We have never treated any of our tables, and they have been setup for 5 years now in the new shop area with no signs of any rust ...

-mark

Same here. Even in Oregon as long as you use the table regularly and I wipe it down with a WD40 coated rag once in a while we have had zero problems

Silver_AWD · 07-12-2010, 06:17 PM

^ Same here and I live in Chicago. The temp goes from 100*+ to -14*, how/humid/dry/wet etc. I weld at least once a week on the table, hasn't had one piece of rust on it since I made it. (about 3 1/2 years)

JCByrd24 · 07-14-2010, 08:55 PM

You can wax your table with butchers wax or even car wax. Wears of after a while but does work, I have the same problem in my garage.

Kfly04 · 07-15-2010, 01:13 AM

Try peeing on it urine has acid in it might help..

Hondaslayer · 07-15-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourOnTheFloor65

Maybe some kind of plastic cover will help.

Bad idea / good idea.

Cover will help, however plastic does not breathe and will cause moisture to build underneath it. What you want is a cover that breathes and will wick moisture away.

When I am finished I clean my table and dry it thoroughly and just cover it with a light cloth (remnant from an old car cover actually) just to keep other dust / paint etc off it.

wisconsinsubaru · 07-15-2010, 11:37 AM

lightly hit it with a flap wheel, spray on WD-40 and wipe off. it will leave a nice coating on it.

stiguy86 · 07-26-2010, 05:38 AM

the flap wheel, or wire wheel will work good, i use WD on my benches, but welding nossle anti spatter spray works really good. (i used "eagle" i think), then all those little balls of weld spatter wont stick to it either..

you should be able to pick some up at your local welding supply shop for around 4 bucks a can--

04-09-2010, 05:10 AM	#1
FourOnTheFloor65 Scooby Specialist Member#: 106225 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Fairmont WV Vehicle: 02 WRX STied PSM 11 Taurus SHO daily	How to keep a welding table from rusting? I picked up a nice heavy steel table a few months ago, that I have modified into a nice welding table. It has been in my garage where it has surface rusted a bit. I was wondering if there is anything that I could put on it to prevent or at least postpone the rusting? I would think that putting oil on it would cause problems with the electrical conductivity from what I'm welding to the table. Is there something that is commonly used for this that doesn't cause conductivity problems, or should I just keep sanding it once a month or so? Thanks, Ryan * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-09-2010, 12:14 PM	#4
kharris4 Scooby Specialist Member#: 46018 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 2003 wrx silver(mostly stock)	Just try to keep it clean. If it's rusted once, then it'll rust again even if you think you got it off. One measure that you may consider is cleaning it up real nice, then welding a thin gage sheet of metal over top of it. Then you have a nice new table to work on. Whenever we weld SS we use an SS table, CS we use a CS table. Maybe you could incorperate that into your renovation. Last edited by kharris4; 04-09-2010 at 01:05 PM.

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04-09-2010, 11:25 AM	#2
MSI NASIOC Manufacturer Member#: 95419 Join Date: Sep 2005 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: montreal	Use it regularly ..... control the humidity in your garage. We have never treated any of our tables, and they have been setup for 5 years now in the new shop area with no signs of any rust ... -mark

04-09-2010, 12:06 PM	#3
FourOnTheFloor65 Scooby Specialist Member#: 106225 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Fairmont WV Vehicle: 02 WRX STied PSM 11 Taurus SHO daily	Well the garage isn't temperature controlled. I heat it when I am working on something and it is cold outside. I open the doors when it's hot. It is insulated but it still gets humid from time to time. Maybe some kind of plastic cover will help.

04-09-2010, 12:21 PM	#5
tom@kartboy NASIOC Vendor Member#: 67 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 1999 Outlasting the competition.	what ive always used was to put a bunch of WD40 on the table and work it in with a red scotchbrite pad. let it soak in for a bit then wipe clean. you might need to do it ever few months depending on the weather there. T

04-09-2010, 12:40 PM	#6
Dodik Scooby Newbie Member#: 122609 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn NY Vehicle: 2002 Outback H6 BE 82 GS750E	some sort of zinc coating? never tried it but theoretically may work

04-09-2010, 12:41 PM	#7
cowboy_Rob Scooby Specialist Member#: 194062 Join Date: Nov 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Camp Hill PA Vehicle: 2003 Impreza WRX PSM	yea just sand the hell out of it then rub in wd40. it wont affect the conductivity but dont use too much because it can burn if you have puddles of it on there.

04-09-2010, 07:12 PM	#9
kcpaz Scooby Newbie Member#: 194611 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gilbert Arizona Vehicle: 1998 Legacy GT Mexico Blue (not red)	you can treat the surface with Jasco, of any other phospheric acid based rust prep. You can buy them at most hardware stores like ACE, and True Value. It will actually help prevent future rust without leaving a greasy film like WD40.

04-09-2010, 08:02 PM	#10
Ron89 Scooby Newbie Member#: 161671 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Vehicle: 2005 STi VF39 304/320 mustang dyno	I got a free sample of a product from Blue Works (associated with WD40). They sent me a little catalog that had this stuff in it. Looks like it might be what you are looking for? http://www.blueworksbrand.com/produc...ose-lubricant/ There's even a little side by side comparison. On top of it all you can order a free sample of this stuff to see if you like it. I chose the PTFE Lube so I can't say if it works well or not...but hey its free. http://www.blueworksbrand.com/sample The only thing that kinda sucked is it took a couple weeks to get it but I'm not really surprised.

05-21-2010, 11:37 PM	#11
feint05 Scooby Specialist Member#: 152984 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: san diego Vehicle: 2004 jewbaru jewbuilt, polish tuned	cold galvanizing compound?

05-23-2010, 07:36 PM	#13
Mr. Wagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 244383 Join Date: Apr 2010	About a year ago I got a new Acorn platen at work. It came in with a nice shade of red rust from sitting outdoors. I orbital sanded it and then hit it with a nice coat of paste wax. This is in a shop with no climate control and no rust has returned.

05-25-2010, 04:07 PM	#15
madmax718 Scooby Specialist Member#: 172501 Join Date: Feb 2008	Its not that zinc is bad for welding, the fumes are quite toxic. If you dont use your bench/table often, try to keep a good polish on it- the smoother the table, the less problems. Also, as recommended wd40 (but it dries quickly). I prefer CLP, rem oil, or even just regular motor oil. Just spray a little break clean on a cloth and wipe down before using. You had best make sure its clean if you do aluminum.

05-25-2010, 09:28 PM	#16
RaceFaceXC Scooby Specialist Member#: 165749 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: stupid Florida Vehicle: 2007 No YELLING on the bus!	corrosionX spray on, wipe down so its wet but not puddled. repeat every cpl times you use the table, assuming its used infrequently. Wont hurt conductivity, even when electrical joints are saturated. I constantly fight steel and aluminum corrosion and this is the best thing for it, period. P.S. 16 Oz is enough to treat an avg size welding tabel (4'x4' -ish) dozens of times.

07-10-2010, 02:52 PM	#17
charliew Scooby Specialist Member#: 125304 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crawford, TX.	I have a metal work bench that got scratched up so I took all the paint off the top work area and just wipe it down with eastwoods metal ready maybe twice a year. If it does get a spot on it I just use some emery cloth on it and add the metal ready. Also you could probably get a piece of cardboard and spray some oil on it lightly and put it on the table when you or not using it with the oily side down. Just a idea. I usually have to clean a bench off to have a place to work in my shop.

07-11-2010, 01:02 AM	#18
jakedademon Scooby Specialist Member#: 157764 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Midlands SC Vehicle: 2002 2.1l of fury WRB	Sprinkle some crack on it.

07-12-2010, 06:17 PM	#20
Silver_AWD Scooby Newbie Member#: 224375 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Around the corner... Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon Silver	^ Same here and I live in Chicago. The temp goes from 100+ to -14, how/humid/dry/wet etc. I weld at least once a week on the table, hasn't had one piece of rust on it since I made it. (about 3 1/2 years)

07-14-2010, 08:55 PM	#21
JCByrd24 Scooby Newbie Member#: 250098 Join Date: Jun 2010	You can wax your table with butchers wax or even car wax. Wears of after a while but does work, I have the same problem in my garage.

07-15-2010, 01:13 AM	#22
Kfly04 Scooby Newbie Member#: 252005 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Portland,OR Vehicle: 2004 STI Java Black	Try peeing on it urine has acid in it might help..

07-15-2010, 11:37 AM	#24
wisconsinsubaru Scooby Newbie Member#: 232342 Join Date: Dec 2009	lightly hit it with a flap wheel, spray on WD-40 and wipe off. it will leave a nice coating on it.

07-26-2010, 05:38 AM	#25
stiguy86 Scooby Newbie Member#: 230632 Join Date: Nov 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Okinawa, Jpn	the flap wheel, or wire wheel will work good, i use WD on my benches, but welding nossle anti spatter spray works really good. (i used "eagle" i think), then all those little balls of weld spatter wont stick to it either.. you should be able to pick some up at your local welding supply shop for around 4 bucks a can--