Cleaning galvanized steel
Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 13:49
ThreadID:
142672
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Replies:
11
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Member - Outback Gazz
G'day All
Is there any way you can make old galvanized steel look newer ?
I've tried a few concoctions off the net to no avail and some polishes I've already had but none seem to do anything.
I don't expect 15 year old galv to look like new but was just hoping to freshen up some galv bits on my camper.
Cheers
Gazz
Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 14:11
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 14:11
.
This may help Gazz
(link here) (or here)
AnswerID:
638162
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:13
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:13
Thanks Allan
Tried all that - no effect !
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916499
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:45
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:45
.
Hi Gazz,
What is the actual problem..... is the galv stained or is it just dulled.
If dulled, then that is oxidised zinc and mechanical buffing could brighten it up a bit. A stiff brush, some Solvol, water and elbow grease may do it. If that seems too daunting then power brushing with Dremel or cordless drill may be the thing.
But, as others have said; painting over could be the way.
FollowupID:
916504
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:41
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:41
G'day Allan
No real problem, just a cosmetic thing now after making other stuff look new !
Think I will paint the rear wheel carrier tomorrow as there is not much masking involved and I still have paint left from painting the storage doors.
It's either that or make love to the missus before watching a movie on netflix :)
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916507
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:54
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:54
.
How was the movie Gazz? ......... LOL
FollowupID:
916510
Reply By: baznpud - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 15:19
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 15:19
Google how to clean g/steel, a number of products come up which are available from Bunnings.
If it's rust you want to remove, try Ranex Rustbuster, works wonders.
Cheers
AnswerID:
638163
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:16
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:16
Thanks baznpud
Did heaps of research on google and everything I tried was about as useful as a polystyrene bullbar lol
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916500
Reply By: axle - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 15:30
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 15:30
Silver Frost Mate!, Thats what the caravan dealers use on their used van chassis, and anywhere else they can poke a can in.
Cheers Axle.
AnswerID:
638164
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:21
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:21
Thanks Axle
I did paint the galv jerry can holder frames in a silver coloured satin paint and they came up a treat.
They were removable which made painting easy but to do all the rest would require lots of masking up, time and patience - and I don't have one of the above lol.
Maybe down the track a bit.
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916501
Reply By: RMD - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 16:13
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 16:13
Gazz.
A weak hydrochloric solution will cause action on discoloured gal.
Test on the surface first of course. Wash off immediately after use with baking soda /bicarb solution to kill any residual. Weak Hydrochloric is used to clean car engine bays by second hand dealers.
AnswerID:
638165
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:24
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:24
Thanks RMD
I remember using that to clean up my old aluminium tray tops years ago and worked
well - might do a
test spot underneath somewhere and see how it goes.
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916502
Reply By: Member - David M (SA) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:15
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:15
Much like you Gazz tried a few things. A tin of Cold Galv and a paint brush seemed to be the best solution.
Dave.
AnswerID:
638166
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:33
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 18:33
Thanks David
I just recently purchased the camper and tidied a few things up, fixed and tweaked a couple things. Then painted the doors on the storage compartments - then the old thumb latches looked crap on the new paint so new latches were bought and fitted and all of a sudden my 15 yo Campomatic is looking almost new again.
So that's when my ocd kicked in and I thought what can I do to the galv coz that's about all that is left that looks old ! Think I might look into painting a bit further down the track.
My son in law reckons the way it looks now I could sell it and make a few grand profit out of it lol
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916503
Follow Up By: Member - David M (SA) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 23:02
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 23:02
Always something to do Gazz but time
well spent.
Dave.
FollowupID:
916513
Reply By: OzzieCruiser - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 19:09
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 19:09
On old Landrovers with gal trim capping - the use of vinegar lightly rubbed in with plain steel wool worked
well but dont expect it to come back like new.
AnswerID:
638167
Follow Up By: RMD - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:16
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:16
That would be the Acetic acid content of vinegar I presume.
FollowupID:
916506
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 19:43
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 19:43
Gazz,
What about CLR, that stuff that does wonders on one's shower roses & other bathroom fittings?
Some of the lads at work have been detailing a couple of old prime movers for the recent
Winton Festival, and swear by Purple Polish for alloy bull bars. Might work on your gal bits? There's a precleaner available too, by the same mob that makes the PP. Available at Supercheap, I believe?
We've tried some acids, suitably diluted, on prime movers, and while the surfaces are cleaned up, they tend to lose that shiny finish.
Bob
AnswerID:
638168
Follow Up By: RMD - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:15
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:15
Bob Y
Are you sure CLR does what it says? I have used it/tried it a number of times on shower screens, rust, scale etc for the purposes it claims to do work on, it has NEVER worked in any way, Followed,
directions and NOTHNG happens EVER! A Complete CON of a product.
I did get some results with weak Hydrocholoric though, not for everything of course.
FollowupID:
916505
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:45
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:45
Thanks Bob
Tried purple polish which I had in my shed and that was as useful as a plasticine tow bar lol
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916508
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:50
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 20:50
Hey RMD
You are spot on with CLR - bought a bottle once and used it on everything it said it was good for !
Crap product !!
I would have more chance of putting out the sun with a water pistol than CLR cleaning my shower !!!
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916509
Follow Up By: RMD - Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 09:07
Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 09:07
Gazz
CLR stands for Calcium,Lime, Rust, but is really "Clear, Liquid, Ripoff". It sounds like we had similar results with that fantastic product. It didn't even shine my boots!
FollowupID:
916515
Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 22:18
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 22:18
Truck wash?
AnswerID:
638171
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 22:37
Sunday, Oct 03, 2021 at 22:37
Hi Frank
I've been using Truck Wash for quite a few years now - cleans my vehicles extremely
well but I was just after something that could possibly make the 15 year old galv look 5 years old !
After all the replies and lots of dud results - I'm thinking painting is the way to go.
Thanks
Gazz
FollowupID:
916511
Reply By: Member Kerry W (Qld) - Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 06:40
Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 06:40
Gazz - I think repainting will be the best option. On Galv though, use an etch primer first. A hammered metal finish over that will be very durable if you like the look.
Cheers
AnswerID:
638172
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 08:54
Monday, Oct 04, 2021 at 08:54
Thanks Kerry
I used etch primer on the jerry can holders when I painted them - then 3 coats of satin silver and they came up a treat !
Also used an aluminium etch primer on the chequer plate storage doors - then 3 coats of dark
grey paint followed by 2 coats of clear and I couldn't be happier with the result.
This is something I don't do often but I can't stop now - just gunna keep painting now lol
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916514
Reply By: Hoyks - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2021 at 19:42
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2021 at 19:42
The problem with anything abrasive is that it will take the gal off and next thing you have rust coming through.
Can the parts be unbolted? Last time I got some stuff done it was around $10/kg to get some stuff hot dip galvanised. They came up like new... because they were mill finished steel when I dropped them off.
AnswerID:
638218
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2021 at 20:10
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2021 at 20:10
G'day Hoyks
It was a rear swing away wheel carrier which I wanted to freshen up.
Well over the weekend I cleaned it, etch primed it, painted it with three coats of colour then two coats of clear and I am very pleased with the end result ( and the quality of workmanship lol)
Thanks for the reply
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916547
Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Friday, Oct 08, 2021 at 10:28
Friday, Oct 08, 2021 at 10:28
Two products to try.....
Shower Power, spray on ....leave for five minutes then gurney
Or
Diggers Rust & Stain Cleaner (Oxalic acid) (available from the
Green Shed)
mix up a solution spray on and gurney off after five minutes.....excellent for removing red dirt stains also!
Good luck
AnswerID:
638242
Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Friday, Oct 08, 2021 at 11:17
Friday, Oct 08, 2021 at 11:17
Thanks Tony
Will keep that in mind - especially for the red dust !
Cheers
Gazz
FollowupID:
916590