Cleaning Soldering Flux Spillage?

[Pete W.]

Hi there, all,

I have a couple of steel cupboards with adjustable shelves.  The shelves are like inverted shallow trays and each one rests on four small steel disks with a tab that hooks into slots in the cupboard wall.

One of these cupboards was previously used in a laboratory for storage of lab chemicals, including solder flux.  I don't know exactly which type but it was most probably a liquid flux such as Tricene.  I discarded one shelf because it had some spilled flux but, after accidentally damaging another shelf, I'd like to rehabilitate the flux contaminated one.  It would be nice to eradicate all traces of the flux and achieve a surface condition that will support being repainted.

I have heard it said that solder fluxes, as a class, are toxic/carcinogenic which limits my options.

I have a propane torch but I don't like the idea of using that to burn off the flux for fear of distorting the shelf.

Please can anyone suggest how I can rescue this shelf? 

[vtsteam]

Pete is there any way that you can find out from the people you got it from, just what that substance is?

[awemawson]

Pete,

Can you not just scrape it off with a 'razor blade' type window scraper intended for removing 'over paint' such as this one, then rub down and re-paint?

[John Rudd]

Solder flux can be removed using celly thinners or acetone which is a little more agressive........(it may even aid removal of the paint?)

If you got this route, do it outside and away from naked flames and wear some ppe......