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Cleaning metal for painting

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drooartz

drooartz

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I've got my dash pretty well wire-wheeled down and ready for paint before new vinyl goes on. I'm just using good old rattle-can Rustoleum (with their primer as well), since this won't be seen.

What should I do to clean the paint/rust dust off before painting?
 
Mineral spirits?
 
Acetone works well too.
 
I dunno... I was just thinking of things I have around the garage (outside of specific auto body/paint). There is a dgreaser/ wax remover/ paint prep wash that you can buy at most paint stores. It would be the best thing. It is similar to "Goof off" but not exact.

BTW Acetone is great for cleaning dried fiberglass filler from putty knifes and applicators and mixing boards.
 
Used to work with acetone a lot when I worked in a wood shop after college. Nasty stuff, that.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
Droo,

The absolute best thing that you can useis what the body shops use. Wax and grease remover.

It comes in a gallon tin usually. I put some on a clean rag and wipe down any metal surface prior to paint. You can get the stuff at any paint store.

HTH,


PS, I see that Jessie already suggested this so I agree /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Funny, I've never thought of acetone as a that nasty of a solvent. I treat it like all other solvents... avoid fumes and eye/skin contact.
 
I watched a friend sit in a puddle of Acetone once, he had that "burning sensation" in some fairly sensitive places! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
Acetone dissolves many plastics ... quickly... so you need to be careful what your pour it into.
 
Back in the day I worked for a boat company - preparing & launching. we used acetone to clean off errant silicone. used to dry my skin so much that cuts in my skin would heal open. bizarre
 
I recommend acetone for superglue removal. And before you ask, I managed to glue myself to a car a few years back...
 
I wish I could have seen the person's face when you asked them to get you some acetone so you could remove yourself from the car!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

At least that's one thing you can check off yor list of "done that". Remeber there are those who have and those who will! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
No odor mineral spirit is a little safer than acetone and has a low flash point so it drys quickly withour residue. Denatured alchohol is also pretty safe.

As Trevor says, with any solvent, vent well, wear a mask, wear gloves... and if you have a space heater or dryer in your garage, do not run them until the fumes have cleared. Skin grafts suck.
 
I always get the impression that mineral spirits leave some type of residue .. maybe it's just that it feels oily compared to other solvents. I usually use Prep Sol for painted surfaces (found at auto body supply houses) or lacquer thinner for metal parts.
 
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