I know the drill about using galvanized steel in the presence of heat, and all the 'nasties' that it can give off. The question is this - can the galvanized coating be removed relatively easily? I suddenly have access to a decent quantity of HD galvanized expanded metal, and I could replace all my charcoal baskets and worn grilling surfaces with it. If I could torch off or burn it off in a fire so they could be utilized, it would save me a great deal of $$$.
The answers I have come up from welding forums are these:
If you heat it hot enough, you'll burn off the zinc galvanizing. It will produce a thick sweet smelling white smoke and might leave a powdery residue on the screen. It will do this every time you heat it up until all of the galvanizing is burned off. The smoke is very dangerous, so do this in a well-ventilated area. I can do this outside, and we have a perennial wind. Out in the country the fumes should dissipate and not cause any issues
You can remove the zinc coating by soaking over night in vinegar or in an hour or so using muriatic acid. A 50% solution of Muriatic acid and water will remove it. be sure to wear eye protection. Placed in diluted muriatic zinc/galvanized will almost instantly begin to react & fizz, even if it is hidden under a rusty layer. Continue bath until ALL fizzing stops, then rinse in baking soda & water to neutralize. It will start rusting very quickly after it is rinsed with clean water. If you use vinegar or acid to remove it, you can neutralize it with water and, as Rick stated, it will rust quickly. However, if you use HOT water, the water will evaporate before it flash rusts.
Comments?
The answers I have come up from welding forums are these:
If you heat it hot enough, you'll burn off the zinc galvanizing. It will produce a thick sweet smelling white smoke and might leave a powdery residue on the screen. It will do this every time you heat it up until all of the galvanizing is burned off. The smoke is very dangerous, so do this in a well-ventilated area. I can do this outside, and we have a perennial wind. Out in the country the fumes should dissipate and not cause any issues
You can remove the zinc coating by soaking over night in vinegar or in an hour or so using muriatic acid. A 50% solution of Muriatic acid and water will remove it. be sure to wear eye protection. Placed in diluted muriatic zinc/galvanized will almost instantly begin to react & fizz, even if it is hidden under a rusty layer. Continue bath until ALL fizzing stops, then rinse in baking soda & water to neutralize. It will start rusting very quickly after it is rinsed with clean water. If you use vinegar or acid to remove it, you can neutralize it with water and, as Rick stated, it will rust quickly. However, if you use HOT water, the water will evaporate before it flash rusts.
Comments?