Mild steel protection.

[GrahamHggins]

Hi there, I was wondering what is the typical finish used to protect mild steel (25mm box) for table legs.

I would like to leave it bare and I don't want a shiny varnish surface..


Any products out there you could recommend?

Thanks

 

[nickk]

i use satin varnish -just enhances the finish you have rather than embellishing it.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

A good wax covering, tin or make your own.

 

[clift_d]

All sorts of options including beeswax, raw linseed oil, boiled linseed oil, Liberon Finishing Oil, etc, etc.

There's a fairly comprehensive thread here:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/linseed-oil-for-bare-metal.40662/

 

[GrahamHggins]

Thanks fellas, good to know these techniques are used.

I will try out a bit of wax first.

thanks for that link to clift - will read now.

 

[outofthefire]

Thanks fellas, good to know these techniques are used.

I will try out a bit of wax first.

thanks for that link to clift - will read now.

Best if you can heat up the steel first, only needs to be about 230c I do small bits in the oven.

 

[GrahamHggins]

Im just thinking - If a customer was to say the steel table would be kept outdoors, but covered,

would a wax finish stand up to this?

 

[outofthefire]

Wax does hold up for a good while outside but not for ever so I wouldn't advise it for a customer. Outside i'd go for clearcoat or clear powdercoat.

 

[GrahamHggins]

The wax left a sticky feel to the touch.

Is a clear powdercoat like a light see through coating?

 

[outofthefire]

The wax left a sticky feel to the touch.

Is a clear powdercoat like a light see through coating?

I believe it's just like paint clearcoat. You can buff the wax, if you put it on hot enough that it smokes the metal soaks it up.

 

[GrahamHggins]

Bought a clear coat Matt from car paint guys. Was pretty expensive at €18, but the finish is lovely - almost invisible.

 

[Mee]

Beware of the waxes as many can ignite.

 

[atomant48]

Bought a clear coat Matt from car paint guys. Was pretty expensive at €18, but the finish is lovely - almost invisible.

Got some pics?

 

[outofthefire]

Beware of the waxes as many can ignite.

The level of net nannying gets worse. If they ignite you've got the steel too hot but even then it's with the ferocity of a candle burning. If you're really scared for our safety you should have warned that the ideal temperature is about 250 which is hot enough to give you a bad burn

 

[Mee]

Hardly nannying, just making the OP aware of a potential issue, I don't think he/she wants their workshop burning down.

They have the information; they make an informed choice which is not our choice to make for them.

 

[outofthefire]

Hardly nannying, just making the OP aware of a potential issue, I don't think he/she wants their workshop burning down.

They have the information; they make an informed choice which is not our choice to make for them.

We make things on this forum using tools that generate silly hot temperatures. If we are sensible enough not to let them burn our workshops down why would you assume we are not sensible enough to safely rub a candle on steel at black heat. If you think i'm going over the top fine, but it gets right up my nose when you patronisingly assume whether a member you know nothing about needs advice like that.

 

[Mee]

Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions.

 

[GrahamHggins]

Yes pic here of the stool.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

For the wood rub lots of Danish oil into it.
Keep doing it until no more is absorbed.
Leave for 24 hours, one final buffing up, the seal with a lacquer dash board spay.