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Im welding a rail....(question)

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Drew.C
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 39
Hey guys Ive recently learned how to weld in my tech ed class. I now get to do a self project so ive decided to make a nice rail. My question is though, im just using regular steel, will it slide well? Also will i need to put a coat of paint on it to make it slicker? Thanks, Drew
Mar 3 2010 7:52PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
No paint. Notice how on all park rails, the paint is all chipped off the top? there's a reason for that. Your edges will dig right into it, the steel should slide well on its own. If not, just rub a little wax on it.
Mar 4 2010 12:28AM
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Drew.C
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 39
ok thanks, ill upload pics when im finished.
Mar 4 2010 5:16PM
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C.Wood
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 180
exactly it.
i put some wax on mine and heated it to melt the wax and it slides fine
Mar 9 2010 5:46PM
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sklermang
Posts: 2981 - Karma: 1,954
wanna make me one for free?
Mar 13 2010 6:51AM
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funkmaster
Posts: 617 - Karma: 1,876
try to use medium or high carbon steel for the actual rail if you can (supports dont matter). i made one with low carbon and it's really soft and it gets burred really easily and my edges dig into it sometimes
Mar 22 2010 9:58AM
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Drew.C
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 39
the piece of steel im using for the rail itself came in, its around 20 feet long and about 1 and a half inches wide. its a square rail and it should turn out pretty nice. the best part is, all the steel was free. i love tax payers haha.
Mar 22 2010 10:56PM
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remb
Posts: 49 - Karma: 48

if you wanna make good one, strip it down so all the rust comes off = sand it so its super smooth, put a good primer on, and put 2 coats of paint on

Apr 1 2010 10:11AM
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Drew.C
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 39
Heres the finished product. It turned out pretty nice. Any suggestions on paint that will prevent rusting but still will make it slick enough to slide?

Click for larger image
Jun 11 2010 2:34PM
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chardi
Posts: 5040 - Karma: 59
thats so sick nice job man.  i wouldn't paint the top though.
Jun 11 2010 8:39PM
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dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 135
I welded a rail recently as well and sanded off the paint because i was constantly catching edges trying to swap.....  It works well but started to rust like crazy around the welds. Is there any thing you can coat it with that won't cause your edges to catch?
Jun 12 2010 12:28PM
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No_Dub
Posts: 3357 - Karma: 294

Wrong. I am the park manager at my hill.

The paint will keep your rail from rusting in the weather. it also does aid in sliding but it gets scraped off quick. Your edges do not dig in. Paint is not bad. IMO, paint everyrail you can if it is going to be outside at all.

Jun 13 2010 9:45PM
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Drew.C
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 39
But what type of paint? Any specifics?
Jun 14 2010 1:51AM
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No_Dub
Posts: 3357 - Karma: 294
It's just regular metal paint. The outdoor type.
Jun 14 2010 3:26PM
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T.L.
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 3,008
This is the primary paint I use on all my rails.  From the looks of that rail you could get away with 2 coats of regular rustoleum spray can black.  2 or 3 cans max should do it.  If you wanna make it real easy on yourself, hit up oinkartltd.com and grab some rusto fat caps.
Jun 14 2010 3:32PM
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stickerman
Posts: 2043 - Karma: 147
Just paint it with regular rust spray paint. There is this stuff called tremclad (sp?) and it works really well.
Jul 3 2010 11:45PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
This, if you're using Mild steel it can rust, Paint prevents this.

Paint it.
Jul 12 2010 7:32PM
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T.L.
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 3,008

shit, forgot to post the link.  my bad!

http://stainmasterpaint.com/viewProd.asp?prodID=44

Jul 14 2010 7:56AM
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ideal
Posts: 149 - Karma: 30
i like the caps on the rustOleum, well the one's with the red caps they spray a nice fat fan.
Oct 28 2010 1:56PM
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ideal
Posts: 149 - Karma: 30
i would paint it.. paints a lot better then rust.
Oct 28 2010 1:58PM
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S-S-K
Posts: 218 - Karma: 187
Do you use gloss, semi gloss, or flat rustoleum spray?
Nov 21 2010 8:58PM
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