Cleaning rusty frames
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Cleaning rusty frames
I have learned while cleaning tractors and small dozers in my hobby that the thick layered rust on the heavy gauge parts have to be attacked with an impact. There are pneumatic descalers that are available that have pins driven by the impact gun. This seems to be very effective removing the thick stuff before attempting to use a sand blaster. You can move along the truck frame at a good pace.
I have, also, used my pneumatic impact gun (muffler splitter) with a dulled chisel point. The heavy rust "flies" when it is attacked. You can get into the recesses easily.
On my dozers, the undercarriages are extremely rusty, and it does a good 1st step in the job of rust removal and preparation.
It is fairly quick to clean the surface and leaves less work to be done with a sandblaster.
Of course, this only works on heavy metal. The sheet metals will either be punched or dented using this method.
Afterwards, I use a cupped wire wheel on the body grinder. This is very effective, but body protection is needed. After a wire wheel job, I usually have my clothing penetrated with "wire darts" letting loose from the wire wheel.
Ken McWilliams
Dayton, OH
I have, also, used my pneumatic impact gun (muffler splitter) with a dulled chisel point. The heavy rust "flies" when it is attacked. You can get into the recesses easily.
On my dozers, the undercarriages are extremely rusty, and it does a good 1st step in the job of rust removal and preparation.
It is fairly quick to clean the surface and leaves less work to be done with a sandblaster.
Of course, this only works on heavy metal. The sheet metals will either be punched or dented using this method.
Afterwards, I use a cupped wire wheel on the body grinder. This is very effective, but body protection is needed. After a wire wheel job, I usually have my clothing penetrated with "wire darts" letting loose from the wire wheel.
Ken McWilliams
Dayton, OH
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Cleaning rusty frames
Good points on the impact gun Ken.
Another rust loosener is something called Prep Step Powder. It mixes with water and is applied over the rust. It softens the very thick scale and it can be removed with a putty knife, wide faced wood chisel or muffler gun.
I dont kow the chemistry involved but suspect it is a mild Phosphoric Acid.
One thing for certain, all methods make a mess!
Another rust loosener is something called Prep Step Powder. It mixes with water and is applied over the rust. It softens the very thick scale and it can be removed with a putty knife, wide faced wood chisel or muffler gun.
I dont kow the chemistry involved but suspect it is a mild Phosphoric Acid.
One thing for certain, all methods make a mess!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Cleaning rusty frames
A neddle scaler. My work bought one last fall and some poor guy had to do about 50 snow plows. It did a very good job. It looked like it would not take much sand blasting to finsh the job. Very Very loud.
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