Galvanized iron is a hard zinc plated iron that can prevent corrosion and increase its service life as well as its durability. Galvanized iron can be found in sheet metal, gutters, car doors, and car hoods. Even if this iron is resistant to rust, it can still get dirty and should be treated with care. Galvanized iron that is cleaned and maintained regularly will last longer and look good in the long run.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Soil and Mud
Step 1. Wipe the galvanized iron with a damp cloth
Pre-cleaning with a cloth dampened in clean water can remove dust or dirt on the surface of the galvanized iron. Regular maintenance will reduce the amount of dust and chemical build-up that builds up on the metal's surface over time, and make cleaning easier later on.
Step 2. Scrub the iron with a brush and detergent solution
Drop 15 ml of laundry detergent into a bucket of water. Make sure you brush the entire surface of the iron and clean stubborn stains caused by a buildup of dust or mud. Use a nylon or plastic brush because other types of brushes can react with the iron and change the original color.
- Do not use harsh chemical cleaners. Cleaners with a pH greater than 12 or 13 can dissolve the zinc on the galvanized iron surface.
- Cleaning the iron in this way will make the area that has been cleaned looks different from the area that is still dirty.
- Scrubbing galvanized iron too vigorously with abrasive products can reduce its life and damage the zinc coating. Rub the galvanized iron gently.
Step 3. Use car or truck wash soap to clean galvanized iron
Trucks and cars are built to reduce the potential for corrosion and are usually suitable for cleaning galvanized iron. Remember, don't forget to rinse the iron thoroughly with cold water after applying the cleaner.
- Be sure to read the back of the car wash for instructions for use and warnings.
- You can buy the soap at an auto shop, shopping center, or online store.
- Most modern cars use galvanized iron to prevent rust from forming.
Step 4. Spray the iron with a low pressure water spray machine to clean a fairly large area
If the galvanized iron to be cleaned is large enough, such as the roof or side of a building, use a pressurized sprayer to save time and effort. It can also be a quick way to rinse off chemical cleaners or cleaning products used to clean iron.
Make sure the pressure on the sprayer is below 1450 psi so as not to damage the zinc coating on the iron
Method 2 of 3: Remove White Rust
Step 1. Mix ammonia and water in a 1:10 ratio in a bucket
You can buy ammonia-based cleaning products at almost any grocery store. Mix the ammonia cleaner and water in a bucket and use the solution to clean the galvanized iron.
- Wear gloves when working as ammonia can cause irritation and chemical burns to human skin.
- You can also use CLR, lemon juice, rust solvent, cleaning acid, or white vinegar in place of ammonia to remove white rust on galvanized iron surfaces.
Step 2. Dip a strong nylon brush in the solution and scrub the galvanized iron
Dip a nylon brush in the above solution and rub it circularly over the galvanized iron surface. Make sure you clean the dirtiest areas. The white rust powder will start to wear off after scrubbing.
Step 3. Apply a chemical passivating treatment to the iron
Iron manufacturers may be willing to provide a new protective coating on iron for a fee. This coating can reduce the risk of white rust appearing on the galvanized iron surface. This process is carried out by adding a water-based protective layer of chromate to prevent the iron from being damaged by the surrounding environmental conditions.
Spending money on passive shielding might save you money in the long run because you don't have to buy new iron
Step 4. Rinse the iron with water and dry it thoroughly
Use clean water when rinsing galvanized iron. Chemicals left on the surface can corrode or damage the metal's protective coating in the long run.
Step 5. Do not store the iron in damp or poorly ventilated areas
Storing iron carelessly can trigger white rust attacks. Instead of stacking the iron, try tilting it to make it easier for the iron to dry when it's wet. The accumulation of water over time can cause zinc to build up on the surface of the iron.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning the Paint
Step 1. Scrape off the old paint with a wood or plastic scraper
Do not use a metal scraper to clean the paint residue on the galvanized iron because it can scratch and damage the surface. Scrape off any excess old paint and peel off the coat of paint in large chunks. After that, clean the remnants of small paint that is still attached. There's no need to scrape it completely clean as you'll be using a chemical process to remove any excess paint.
- If the paint is still fresh and wet, skip this step and move on to step number two in this method.
- You can also use sandpaper or a wire brush to remove any paint or rust stuck to the galvanized iron. However, note that this method may cause discoloration. So, if you want to maintain the appearance of the iron, these two tools are not suitable for use during the cleaning process.
Step 2. Scrub the new paint with regular paint thinner
If the paint is fresh, you can use a nylon brush and paint thinner to clean the galvanized iron. Rub the paint thinner onto the galvanized iron with a rag and scrub with a nylon brush.
Step 3. Wipe the iron with a non-alkaline peeling product to remove stubborn paint
Paint that has dried will be difficult to clean. Fortunately, most paints will react badly to the zinc content of galvanized iron, making it easy to peel off once dry and easy to clean.
Apply the paint remover with a rag and scrub with a nylon or plastic bristle brush
Step 4. Rinse the paint remover product thoroughly after washing
Residual chemicals can change the color of iron later on. Make sure you rinse off the residue on the metal surface by rinsing it with clean water.
