Our customers frequently ask us two main questions about welding tables:
- How can I protect my welding table from rust?
- What accessories and fixtures can be used with your welding tables?
Today, we'll address the first question in detail — how to protect a steel welding table from corrosion.
Prevention Is the Best Solution
It's much easier to prevent rust than to deal with it later. Here are several effective protection methods:
Anti-Corrosion Sprays and Liquids
Our experience shows that water-displacement formula products work excellently for metal protection. Such compounds were originally developed to protect even spacecraft from corrosion!We recommend using specialized anti-corrosion sprays with trigger sprayers. This application method creates a uniform thin layer of protective coating across the entire table surface, including the sides and legs.
Important: After spraying, don't wipe the surface — allow the compound to spread and form a protective layer on its own.
Regular Maintenance
Depending on the humidity in your workspace, we recommend treating your welding table every 2-4 months. To save money, consider purchasing a large container of protective solution and a refillable trigger sprayer. This approach significantly reduces the cost of regular treatment.
What to Do if Your Table Has Already Rusted?
Gentle Mechanical Cleaning Methods
If rust has already appeared, it's important to approach its removal as gently as possible to avoid damaging the table surface. These tools work well:
- Soft abrasive sponges and Scotch-Brite pads — ideal for removing surface rust
- Nylon metal brushes for drills — they're softer than metal brushes and don't leave deep scratches
- Polymer cleaning discs — specially designed for delicate metal cleaning without aggressive abrasion
After cleaning with any mechanical method, always wipe the surface and apply a protective coating.
Chemical Rust Conversion
If you don't have the time or ability for mechanical treatment, rust converters are the next best option. These compounds transform iron oxides into inert compounds, stopping the corrosion process.
Important: Never paint your welding table with regular paint! This will cause you to lose the electrical ground contact necessary for safe welding.
Rust converters based on orthophosphoric acid are applied by spraying onto rust-affected areas.
This method has some peculiarities:
- It's best to perform the treatment in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, as these compounds have a specific odor.
- Treated areas may darken, but they'll be protected from rust reappearance for an extended period (up to a year or more).
Special Care for Perforated Surfaces
Welding tables with perforated work surfaces require special attention. It's important to periodically clean the holes of welding spatter and debris to maintain the functionality of the mounting holes.For this, you can use:
- Special brushes for cleaning perforations
- Compressed air for blowing out small particles
- Anti-spatter solutions before applying anti-corrosion coating
Protection of Umetalli Welding Tables
All Umetalli welding tables undergo additional factory anti-corrosion treatment, which significantly extends their service life even in challenging conditions. However, regular maintenance is still necessary to keep them in ideal condition. Remember that proper care for your welding table not only extends its service life but also ensures the accuracy and quality of all welding operations! If you have any questions about welding table maintenance or need additional information about our products, contact us — we're always happy to help!