Welds not sticking after using aircraft stripper

earth1 · 02-08-2012, 10:59 PM

Any welders out there ever had this happen? Mineral spirits won't get rid of whatever residue is in the pores left from using Rustoleum aircraft stripper to strip paint from a steel bumper. Any ideas?

SV_Dude · 02-09-2012, 02:17 PM

Use a wire wheel or a flap disc to get down to fresh metal. Also, make sure that your ground has a good connection to your metal.

earth1 · 02-09-2012, 02:29 PM

cool, yeah we just had to go deeper on the wire wheel... looked bare until the weld started running

SV_Dude · 02-09-2012, 02:47 PM

Also, you need to be extremely careful cleaning with solvents before welding. With the heat and gases mixing with solvents, you could end up with a deadly combination.

Rockdawg84 · 02-09-2012, 11:14 PM

especially never use brake cleaner to anything your gonna weld. The fumes will scar your lungs and be very bad.

Brake Cleaner = Phosgene Article

earth1 · 02-10-2012, 04:08 PM

Scary article. I always think this is common sense stuff, but good to have a reminder anyway. Safely burning off solvents with a torch is must before welding. I'm a painter and live in my respirator. It always amazes me at jobsites when guys are closed in a little room breathing solvents or adhesive or something.

FYI stay away from aircraft stripper on surfaces to be welded. It contaminates the hell out of the metal. We talked to a guy at the local welder supply store and he was like "yeah, didn't you know that? I never use that stuff."

SV_Dude · 02-11-2012, 11:38 AM

I never use any stripper or any cleaners on my metals. A wire wheel or flap disc works great. Then use compressed air to spray off any debris. Using chemicals before welding is asking for trouble. Even torching solvents can still be dangerous because unless you're familiar with the MSDS you can be igniting something that shouldn't be lit.