So I just bought all this yesterday for $30



that's 10 - 2"x4"x39" .120
2 - 2.5" angle iron 3/8 thickness
1 - 4"x4"x45"

Anyway, some of it will hopefully be my new bumper by the end of the summer.

As you can see though, there is some surface rust. The picture makes it look worse than it is. What is the best way to take care of this? Will a grinder with flap wheel take care of it? Should this be done before or after welding is complete?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Usually just grind down the area to be welded just before welding. A little surface rust makes for easier painting as it'll pit the surface and make it accept paint better. just clean it with something like CLR or other phosphoric acid based rust cleaner before painting. You could always wipe down the steel w/ some old motor oil or something if the rust bothers you.

 

Dont worry about it...just keep it indoors and dry

 

what's the motor oil gonna do? Is the CLR/phosphoric acid gonna remove the rust? Or just make it so it will accept paint?

 

any oil product will create a barrier between the steel and the air...preventing or stopping rust.....

I usually dont worry about it...its just surface rust.....you need to prep the metal anyways before fabbing or painting.

 

Just leave it alone until you start then prep the area for welding and then clean up the rest if you want to paint.