Galvanised piping is a popular choice for many furniture makers due to its industrial look and its durability when treated correctly. Ensure your furniture piece lasts with a detergent wash or a water based parts cleaner to remove oil and grease, and use a scourer to remove any dullness.
Galvanized plumbing pipes are steel pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. These types of piping were commonly installed in homes built before the 1960s. The galvanized pipe was invented as an alternative to lead pipe for water supply lines.
When making furniture from galvanised pipe we make sure that all oil and grease is removed not only from the outside but also from inside the pipe. This will stop oil from coming out over time ruining your peice.
Use a detergent wash or a solvent based solution like “Prep Wash” or equivalent.
We use an Auto parts wash machine with water based auto parts wash solution. An aqueous or water based parts washer is the safe and effective alternative to using harmful solvent parts cleaning. Solvent parts washers clean parts with petroleum based contaminants that are toxic, flammable and polluting.
Due to the industrial nature of galvanised pipe it is also scuffed and scratched during manufacture and transport. This can be cleaned to some degree using a steel wool or scouring pad. This removes a thin layer of zinc coating leaving the pipe clean and bright.
A galvanised finish can be left as is without treatment to last many years inside our outdoors. An occasional clean with a scourer will remove any dullness.
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