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Stripping zinc from steel without damaging steel

Q. Hi,

I am looking for a solution or formula to strip zinc from steel without damaging the steel,specifically zinc from old 1940's steel pennies. I need an alkaline version so as not to rust them (that keeps happening when using HCl to strip). Please email any info or post here.

Thanks,

Rob from Gold Touch
Gold Touch Inc. - Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2003

A. You could continue to use a 50% HCl to strip with. Rinse them really well, then dip them in an alkaline rinse (pH of about 11) then a Hot Di Rinse. This should help with the rust problem.

Chad Autry
metal finishing - Albuquerque, New Mexico
2003

A. Try adding about 0.5% by volume glycerine to the acid solution. It is a good affordable and available inhibitor. Excellent rinsing is a given.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

A. Ever try plain and simple caustic soda [affil links] solution? Takes a little longer but gets the job done.

Dipesh Gupta
Fabrication, Finishing everything - India
2003

A. You can use electrolytic method too (5% zinc chloride or sulphate solution,object=anode(+),and simple 4,5V battery,cathode SS)!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2003

How about zinc off of steel or iron? I need to weld some fence parts together and they are zinc coated. I am using the parts to hold together the frame of a mobility chair (long story - I'm trying to find a way to build mobility chairs for under $200)

James Pentz
- Clinton, North Carolina, USA
January 15, 2012

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