Remove Galvanization

Galvanization is the process in which steel or another metal is coated in zinc to stop the base metal from oxidizing. In this instructable I will tell how to remove this coating of zinc. Some people may be wondering why you would want to do this. Well, when galvanized metal is welded it gives off toxic fumes that can be harmful.

(NOTE: I apologize for the poor image quality)

Step 1: Supplies

for this instructable you will need:

vinegar

a wire brush

a small glass bowl

a small flashlight (optional) 

Comments

[killerjackalope]

Surely not buying galvanized screws would be less effort ;-p good idea though...

[tranoxx]

well yes but i dont have access to ugalvanized screws or bar

[anvil_man]

check the phone book or look for weld shops we use bare steel all the time.
unplated screws are hard to find but you can if you look.

[Dr Qui]

I find that statement extremely hard to believe.

[SCKStef]

Nice method,

But This method only Works for Small Objects wich are not Fire galvanised...and the Most of the time you have to weld pieces wich are Fire galvanised.

Fire galvanised iron have the Most of the Time an too thick Zünd overlay from 0,10 to 0,50 mm and more on the edges.

[aeray]

"fire galvanized" = hot-dipped galvanized, I believe.

[tranoxx]

that clears things up thanks

[aeray]

Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid, available at hardware stores) works well too. And very quickly.

[tranoxx]

it probably does but this is cheap and can be done with supplies found around the house

[aeray]

Hydrochloric makes NASTY fumes too, so I'm sure your method is safer as well.

[bombmaker2]

In addition to those fumes, it also makes hydrogen gas. Dangerous, but fun.

[tranoxx]

yeah but mostly fun

[bombmaker2]

Oh so true.