metal cleaning tips?

[mginty]

I'm cleaning up the metal struts for the dormi poptop and was wondering whether anyone has any tips?
I'm using 180 & 360 sandpaper and autosol but it's a long process! I'm totally ignorant on the metal - don't think it's stainless steel considering the stains on it!! I can sand off the surface rust and rough surface that seems to have grown but there are blackish spots/ stains on the metal which don't come off easily. I want to get a load of other stuff powdercoated, is a powdercoaters likely to be able to clean that too?
Cheers !!

 

[Trikky2]

The struts on Dormys were Galvanised steel originally.

 

[mginty]

should I be using sandpaper on galvanised then :?:
there's a fair bit of rust and other rough stuff on it and the sanding seems to be working on the whole....

 

[Trikky2]

If theres rust then the galvanisation has failed and your only option is to sand it down to clean metal as you are doing

 

[Doris]

I bought something from B&Q 'no nonsense' range called 'metal cleaner & restorer' its a pink fluid that you mix 1 part to 3 with hot water,plop your bits into it & it burns off rust & crud and brings things up shiny,it will remove the galv finish but as Trikky says,it sounds like its failed anyway.its handy for removing rust in nooks and cranies that a wire brush won't get into & and its great for chucking rusty nuts and bolts in etc,they come out lovely.

It comes in concentrate,in a 5 litre container.Its obviously acid,as it smells sulphurous when its at work.

incidentally,I had my struts powder coated,just an option.

hth - Rob

 

[mginty]

ahh that's ok then... they are over 40 years old after all! That B&Q stuff sounds good...
does powdercoating not wear off when you raise and lower or do you only powdercoat the outside bit?
cheers

 

[Doris]

does powdercoating not wear off when you raise and lower or do you only powdercoat the outside bit?
cheers

not fitted them yet bud,I powder coated all the Dormy metal,hoops,mechanism,bed frames etc etc,even the iner bits.I did give thought to that and I came to the conclusion that whatever finish they have, be it chrome,paint,polished etc...the inner tube it is going to get worn & scuffed being raised and lowered but at least it was better than the dull metal that they were. In time,when they get a bit worn,I may think about doing something else with the inner tube bit,but I'll have to put a few years on them first. :mrgreen:

the whole mechanism does look sweet though in powder coated gloss white! 8)