Welding metal can be an exciting way to recreate a piece or turn it into something completely new. Whether you picked up metal from a thrift shop or are using recycled metal, having paint on it may put a damper on your project. You may be worried that there will be more steps to do or figure you’ll risk it and just do the welding anyway.
But, can you weld painted metal? No, at least not right away. If you weld painted metal, you could jeopardize your health. Paint can give off fumes and tiny particles that, when inhaled, can cause serious health problems. You should buff or grind the paint off before you start welding. Also, be sure to wear a mask to protect yourself.
It is important to go about these steps to maintain your health and wellbeing. It will also reduce the risk of your welding job going south due to paint damage. Paint can react differently than the metal when you are welding. It may create a strange color or burn marks that you don’t want on your finished project.
Can You Weld Painted Metal?
Firstly, the paints on the metal can give off harmful fumes when heated during welding. These fumes can be dangerous if breathed in, so be sure to protect yourself. Breathing them in can make you sick, which is also why many people who weld wear protective gear. Wearing a mask can help protect you from the fumes, but you are better off getting the paint off first.
Another danger is that dried paint can shoot out tiny particles while you are welding. Since dry paint can chip off, it will also come off during welding. These particles can be ingested or inhaled, which can cause health issues. If you are not wearing protective gear, like a gas mask, to protect yourself, you could be exposing yourself to unnecessary health risks.
Another point is that paint can burn during the welding process or even after. This can put you at risk of fire damage or burning of the metal, which can result in melted corners or sides. This can ruin your project or the part that you are welding. It may also affect the way the final project looks if the paint is burned onto the metal.
Lastly, you can expose yourself to other harmful chemicals when you weld painted metal. If you are working with old metal, you may be dealing with lead paint. Removal of it can release the lead into the air, which can be inhaled and cause major health issues.
You also may inhale rust, other strong cleaners, or adhesive chemicals. Be safe, and just take the paint off first.
Tools To Remove The Paint Beforehand
Here is a list of some tools that you can use to remove the paint that are easier and less time consuming than you might think.
Wire Brush
It’s an easy enough tool that can remove paint before you start welding. This can be a vital step before you start your welding project, so you won’t even need to worry about the paint.
It also easily gets the paint off without much of a hassle or time sucker. You can be moving on to welding that metal in no time.
Garnet Grit Blasting Gun
This method is the most successful way to get stubborn paint off your metal.
It uses power to remove the paint to allow for the metal to be striped as well as in perfect condition for any application of chemicals that you may need to put on it afterward.
Disc Sanding Tool
This essentially sands off the paint and removes it similarly to the wire brush, but with more force.
This can help with paint that has been caked on or has multiple coats.
It can be an easy tool to use right before you are going to weld your metal.
Pistol Grip Needle Scaler
This is a great tool to use simply because you can use it for multiple projects. It remove paint and other stuck-on materials.
You can use it to remove paint, but it can also help when you need to drill something in or sand it. This tool won’t be a one and done type of deal, which makes it ideal for the DIYer in all of us.
Here’s How to Take the Paint Off Safely
First and foremost, always wear a mask. Make sure you are protecting your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing paint. Removing it can be dangerous due to the particles that will be released into the air. You will want to be sure to wear something strong like a gas mask versus a medical mask that only covers your nose and mouth.
Next, be sure to cover your hands with gloves. The tools like the garnet grit blasting gun can be dangerous when used improperly. Any veteran welder knows that accidents happen while on duty. Wear gloves to protect your hands from getting cut, scraped, or exposed to any harmful chemicals in the paint or metal.
Another good tip is to wear long sleeves and pants. This may seem like a given since you are wearing other kinds of protective equipment; however, it can be a tip that can get overlooked. You may be so concerned about your lungs and hands that you forget that your arms and legs can also be exposed to these chemicals or particles.
A fun little trick to help get paint off easier is to soak the metal in hot water with baking soda beforehand.
This step can help get paint off easier when you pair it with a tool listed above. This can also be a way around using chemical paint remover, which can be dangerous on the skin or when inhaled. It can also make a tool like the wire brush easier to use without requiring much effort.
Why You Need to Clean Metal Before Welding >> Check out the video below
Here Are Some Work Arounds You Can Do With Painted Metals
First, you can use a method called spot welding, where you only weld a specific spot on the metal rather than a larger surface. To do this, you will need:
- two copper alloy electrodes
- two sheets of metal
The electrodes will heat up and weld the specific spot between the two sheets of metal. This method won’t work on thick cuts of metal, however.
Another method you can try is to assemble the metals together with hardware.
- You can put a metal sheet between the pieces you want to weld
- Drill holes to link them
- You can skip the welding process and keep the paint intact
This can be a great method for those who want to preserve paint jobs or those who painted first and later realized that they needed to weld after.
Alternatively, you can use a metal adhesive instead of welding. While an adhesive wouldn’t be as strong as using hardware or welding the pieces, it can still get the job done. You probably wouldn’t want to use this on large projects, but smaller and more delicate pieces could benefit from using the adhesive method.
Lastly, you can use a method called metal stitching to join two metals. This is a cold method that helps:
- join thin metals by drilling holes in the cracks or spaces between.
- Then you insert studs and keys, alternating like a stitch, to join them.
- Afterward, you hammer away any excess metal, and your pieces are secure.
This is an excellent method for those who want to repair cracks or cuts in a metal surface.
Summary
We discussed welding painted metals and how you should avoid doing so. It can be harmful to your health as well as your project. Burnt paint can also release other materials into the air that can be harmful like lead. There are alternatives to welding metals if you do not want to remove the paint, however. You can decide what to do next based on your comfort level, tools available, and the details of your project.