Tool Question....

I've seen a buddy of mine use this method a while back and it turned out great. He used an air drill and a wire brush like you mentioned. It took quite a while to cover the piece of metal he was working (about 4x6) but was worth the work IMO.

The wire brushes can be picked up @ just about any hardware store.

 

If it makes any difference the piece he was working on was stainless.

 

Yes, it will take some work. I bought cheap and didn't want to pay up for more expensive stainless, etc. Here is some good info on Hot Rolled:
http://www.metalreference.com/INFO_Hot_Rolled_Steel.html
I intend to practice and test what will work the best, but I am thinking steel paper on a metal polisher, working to smaller and finer grit, ending in a paste polishing compound with the final finish in clear lacquer. The 1/4" metal sheet will be on top of a 1 1/2" thick MDF table top so I think the steel may not even need to be glued or bolted down. The MDF top has a metal brace screwed into the underside to add rigidty and prevent sagging.....it's pretty damn strong already, withour adding the metal plate on top.

(I have found that spraying on enamel/lacquer with the plate in the full sun so it heats up really hot results in an extremely smooth finish which cures fast. The paint, due to the heat, spreads out very nicely and hardens well. Rustoleum works extremely well.)

 

Ok, here are some pics. Just got it out of the truck and set it on the workbench. This thing is HEAVY. Wife could hardly lift one end....but she's a wuss grrrl. Had to wear her apron so she wouldn't get doity. You can see in the last pic some of the the "bluing" color inherent to hot rolled steel. I think this will clean up very nicely. Perfect fit, no need to affix it to base at all. I am going to LOVE this thing!!!!! Tacoma Mods #1, Garage Mods #1.5. Edges have been ground and deburred.

 

I think it would be possible to but only if you ground off all that scale first. My $.02.

 

I intend to sand the scale off.....if possible. I realize it is a rough finish and needs lots of work. NO WORK = NO FUN!!!!

 

I love a challenge!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks, in fact I just bought a new pair......I need to sand all the scale off and then I'll start working on a finish. I never expected I could get it to look as good as the engine turned swirls, but I should be able to get it looking tons better than it does now!

 

I went at the metal plate yesterday with an orbital sander and 80 grit silicon carbide paper just to see the effect. It cleaned it about 80-90%, but man is this going to take a while. I need to find something much rougher for the first pass. I read also that muriatic acid would take off the scale, but I am assuming I would need to practically immerse the damn think in it for a day....I think I am just going to grind and grind and grind.....going to try paint stripper paper as I also read it can work well.....need tight grit.

 

No, I really don't. I just think I need to find the right tool/sandpaper....hence the name of this thread.....

 

Yeah, I thought the belt sander might be a good choice, but I don't have one and wouldn't use it for anything else if I bought one. I was thinking maybe one of those round sander/polishers?

 

Yes. let me find a pic