JHCC Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 As noted elsewhere, I just rescued a bunch of pieces of WI flat bar from the chapel roof renovation job at the college where I work. Most of this was from protected locations and is quite clean, but some (that were exposed to the weather) appear to have been painted with what I suspect (given the original 1908 construction date) was lead paint. I thought about burning it off in the forge, but I don't want to create any health hazards by putting lead oxide in the air. I've got some paint stripper, but that stuff is really nasty. Anyone have any environmentally friendly suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I've seen crock pots used. A dab of dishwashing detergent and a long soak in the hot water. If that doesn't work you will have to try a solvent. Either way you have to despose of the resulting gunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaperPatched Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I've used 3M "Safest Stripper" to remove 3 coats of old 1950's oil based enamel from furniture. I brushed on a thick coat and let it sit over night. In the morning I brushed a little more on areas that had started to dry, went and ate breakfast, came back and scraped off the three layers. As the stripper is water based I used hot water and a scrub brush to remove the last stubborn bits. Check with your local regulations on disposal. Here we have to let the scrapped off goo dry and then wrap in a couple of layers of 4 mil poly and it can go in the weekly trash pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 3 hours ago, JHCC said: appear to have been painted with what I suspect (given the original 1908 construction date) was lead paint. From my experience while in the USCG stationed on lighthouses it looks like red lead primer to me. When we had to remove it for repainting we used a chipping hammer and hand wire brush. Some of that paint was a half inch thick on the stations that were built in the 1800s. I would try that first wearing a dust mask. What little that is left probably would not create a problem to be burned off in an open fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Well, I am no expert but I cast my own projectiles out of wheel weights and either silver solder or pewter when I can get ahold of it. But anyway when I melt my lead I work in a ventilated area (outside) and I wear my respirator and so far Im still alive and kicking. But in my experience if you are uncomfortable doing something it is best to go with your gut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 There are companies that sandblast and remove paint. May want to contact them ans see what kind of prices they have. Let them deal with the hazmat materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 There's a place one town over from where I live. I just sent them an email and am waiting for a reply. Thanks for the tip. ADDENDUM: They're asking $140 for the sandblasting, which strikes me as a bit pricey for my budget. I'm going to contact the town sanitation department to ask their rules on lead paint residue disposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 For that price you could buy a portable sand blaster and bag of sand. I have one by Campbell Haustead and it works well also have seen them at HF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 True, but I'd still have the disposal problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Chip it off with a needle scaler and toss it in the trash. We used needle scalers to remove multiple layers of paint off of winery bottling equipment. But that teeny little bit you have could probably be knocked off with a hammer, chisel, or a stiff scraper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 Thanks, folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 What did you figure out JHCC? Im curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 27 minutes ago, Tommie Hockett said: What did you figure out JHCC? Im curious I haven't yet decided on a stripping method*, but I am confident that it's safe (and legal!**) to dispose of the residue in the trash. *leaning towards a long soak in Simple Green. **at least in Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Right on I'm glad. I mess with lead all the time. I cast my own projectiles for reloading ammunition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 I'm saving lead to cast into the head of a treadle hammer, but that's a different project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 I am no expert on a lead hammer but, if it needs to be hard add pewter to wheel weights when you melt them down. It adds antimony.....(i think thats what its called) which makes it stronger and harder. If you go up to your local tire shop with a bucket they will normally fill it up for $10 or there abouts with used wheel weights... donut rule still applies if you want an ongoing relationship with them lol. Sorry for the long post I got excited to talk about something on here that I have a working knowledge of lmbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 What about the paint stripping materials (chemicals and mixes) that are available. Put it on, let it loosen the paint, and wipe or scrape it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 4 hours ago, Glenn said: What about the paint stripping materials (chemicals and mixes) that are available. Put it on, let it loosen the paint, and wipe or scrape it off. Mentioned it in the original post, @Glenn! 6 hours ago, Tommie Hockett said: I am no expert on a lead hammer but, if it needs to be hard add pewter to wheel weights when you melt them down. The current plan is to use a section of heavy-wall square tube with a thick plate welded on either end, with the space in the middle filled with lead. In other words, the steel provides the strength, and the lead provides the weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Ok that makes alot more sense! Thats purty ingenious I would have never thought about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 UPDATE: Just spoke with my town's Director of Public Works, who tells me that the only regulations the town has on the disposal of hazardous materials is: "Nothing that's prohibited by state or federal law". In other words, the Ohio EPA rule that lead paint residue is okay to dispose of in household trash is okay by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 18 hours ago, Tommie Hockett said: I am no expert on a lead hammer but, if it needs to be hard add pewter to wheel weights when you melt them down. It adds antimony.... Most of the old wheel weights had antimony to begin with, they were not pure lead. A friend of mine who probably cast a ton of bullets over his lifetime would add wheel weights to pure lead to get the hardness up. Today a lot of wheel weights are zinc due to environmental issues with lead, and the ones my friend has in his motorcycle shop are coated steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 I'm still picking up lead ones along the roadside; perhaps the older ones are more likely to be shed. What's really missed is linotype; excellent for hardening bullets and hard to find these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommie Hockett Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 3 hours ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said: Most of the old wheel weights had antimony to begin with, they were not pure lead. Today a lot of wheel weights are zinc due to environmental issues with lead, and the ones my friend has in his motorcycle shop are coated steel. True however I like to add more to the mix I find it improves my accuracy. However eveyone that reloads does things different as the saying goes there is more than one way to skin a cat. Also I have ran across the coated steel and the zinc weights before. I hate them they throw me off waiting on them to melt lol. I have started to check them with pliers so I know whats what. Dents mean they get melted no dents mean they get thrown in a bucket. But so far I am still able to get lead ones I got 2 five gallon buckets full a month or so back. 59 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: What's really missed is linotype; excellent for hardening bullets and hard to find these days. Never heard of linotype before. I will have to look into that! 8 hours ago, JHCC said: The Ohio EPA rule that lead paint residue is okay to dispose of in household trash is okay by them. Great news!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 1 hour ago, Tommie Hockett said: Never heard of linotype before. I will have to look into that! It was used for old printing presses and an even harder type is monotype. I have about 150 lbs of each from a printing shop that went to all electronic printing. Pure linotype will make good rifle bullets and added to pure lead good pistol bullets. I have reloaded and cast my own for 50 years. I have about 70 different caliber molds. Most of the stick on wheel weights are pure lead which I use for my muzzleloaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 8, 2017 Author Share Posted September 8, 2017 The lead I'm saving for the treadle hammer head is the little bits of foil from inside dental x-ray film packets. I've got three dentists' office saving them up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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