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

[Bruce Freeman]

If it is truly ZINC hot-dipped, then acid will remove it.  Thicker
plate will consume more acid.

You could ALSO try using electrolysis, like has been frequently
suggested here for cleaning steel.  You'd clip the zinc-plated item to
the positive electrode so the metal loses electrons.  The bath could
be anything conductive - like salt or baking soda in water.  The other
electrode might best be copper, but I haven't tried this so I don't
know for sure.

Bruce
NJ

On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 9:37 AM, Peter Hirst <saltydog335 at aol.com> wrote:
> Will this dilute acid work with hot dip galvy?  Or should I reserve this for
>  smaller plated peices? One of my main requirements in self-colored hardware
>  is chain. Its a small but important component of my kitchen racks and a
>  couple other pieces. I can buy a buckets of the stuff and keep it for a
>  hundred years, but I usually only need 10 feet at a time and I'd rather pay
>  a little more and not tie up the cash and space.  I would love to be able to
>  just pick up the local product--almost always hot dip -- and give it a bath,
>  but this seems like an awful lot of zinc to have to move.
>
>  Keziah
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>  From: "Bruce Freeman" <freemab222 at gmail.com>
>  To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>  Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 9:25 AM
>  Subject: [TheForge] DO NOT BURN OFF ZINC (GALVANIZED) (Was: Drawer
>  Pulls -source question)
>
>
>  > 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
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-- 
Bruce
NJ