[TheForge] DO NOT BURN OFF ZINC (GALVANIZED) (Was: Drawer Pulls - source question)

[Bruce Freeman]

If any of you are STILL tempted to BURN zinc plating off steel, READ
THIS:  (shouting intentional!)

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/safety3/index.htm

What makes this death so very, very sad is that zinc can be pickled
off steel quickly, easily and with very little hazard.

Place your clean, zinc-coated object in any dilute acid, such as
vinegar, sodium bisulfate solution, or dilute sulfuric acid (battery
acid).  Avoid using dilute hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid).  DO THIS
OUTDOORS.  Hydrogen bubbles (the greatest real hazard) will indicate
the zinc is being oxidized and dissolved.  The hydrogen is flammable,
and explosive, but in the open air the danger is minimal.

However, if you use a volatile acid (vinegar or muriatic) the acid
will be carried into the air, diminishing the acidity of the
solulution.  Vinegar will stink, but muriatic is a nasty - it will
rust your steel and destroy your lungs.  Outside, it's not such a
hazard, but why take the chance?

The resulting pickle solution will contain zinc and whatever acid
anion you used.  Zinc is toxic, but not as toxic as lead.  In
micro-scale, zinc is a necessary nutrient. You can reuse this pickle
for quite a while, but eventually it will be expended.  I suggest you
neutralize any remaining acid (carefully) and dispose in accordance
with local regulations.

Bruce
NJ

On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 8:23 PM, Jerry Frost <akfrosty at mtaonline.net> wrote:
> I believe you can remove the galvy with a white vinegar
>  soak.
>
>  Frosty
>  -------------------------------
>  If it ain't forged
>  it ain't real.
>  Wrought iron is.
>  The FrostWorks
>
>  Meadow Lakes, AK.
>
>
>
>  From: "Mark Novak" <mark at fireworkspdx.com>
>
>
>
>
> > Y'all recommended I use Coupling Nuts as a shortcut
>  > for making drawer  pulls, but I can't find a source
>  > for uncoated coupling nuts. They're  all either zinc
>  > coated (I don't have a hood rig, etc... for burning
>  > the coating off safely with acid, etc...) or
>  > stainless (I don't have  the equipment to weld
>  > stainless). Any ideas or sources?
>
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-- 
Bruce
NJ