Need some help with finishing

[IrishDave]

Could any of you help me I am making a coffee table for my mums home. It will have a wooden top but I want to make the frame out of mild steel. I don't want to paint the frame I want it to have a natural metal look to it so what would you guys recommend for degreasing the steel and what should I coat it with for protection

 

[pedrobedro]

Wipe it down with acetone or cellulose thinners and if it's staying indoors just use some furniture polish on it.

 

[cianh91]

Thinners and a knotted wire brush to clean ..
A Matt clear coat should be ok for the finish

 

[gordon stephenson]

I like the look of removing the scale with a 60grit flap wheel, grinding in different directions to give a mottled effect then clear varnish.

 

[Parm]

Any surface prep technique you want then finish off with a few coats of wax polish

 

[Kent]

Polish it some with a cup brush then warm it so it's just too hot to touch and apply a mix of beeswax and turpentine with an old brush

The other way is get it hotter still and quench in old engine oil

Try a test first and see what you like

 

[Gareth J]

If welding, might be sensible to try some anti spatter to help the post weld cleanup process

 

[IrishDave]

Thanks for all the input guys I have found this stuff at home base its a clear coat matt finish. I want to keep the hot rolled effect but with some shine to it so will probably just wipe it down with thinners to get rid of some grease

 

[IrishDave]

I have decided I want a black oxide finish now. Would the local galvanizers be able to do this?

 

[selectedgrub]

No, Electroplaters do that process.
Sometimes you will wait because it's not a popular dip and they usually do it all at once.