Non Pyro chemistry question

[Jandabuilders]

Ok group.

 

I have a metal storage rack that Ive been storing paints and various household/construction related items. Theres no telling what all has been stored (and spilled) on this rack over the years.

 

There is a spot on one of the shelves that had something spill at some point. The liquid has started dissolving the paint coating on the rack. I have no clue what it is BUT Im thinking it is something related to paints (oil or acrylic), thinners, stains, maybe some WD40, possibly brake cleaner, possibly gas or diesel

 

Will Soap and water clean up & neutralize it or is there some kind of chemically neutralizing solution? Or is it even worth it and just clean it up with soap and water?

 

I may be worrying about something small but Id also be interested in the science behind this if there is such a solution. 👍🏻😬

 

I noticed it rubbing off the bottom of my digital scale. Some of the sides of the case were sticky and dissolving 👍🏻😬

[GalFisk]

There's nothing that can clean up everything. You could probably have luck with rubbing alcohol followed by soapy water and then clean water.

If the spill is a completely non-polar solvent, hexane might be needed. Then again, it might dissolve the paint too.

Since the paint is slowly but continuously dissolving, the spill must be a non-volatile liquid, so not brake cleaner or gas. Use only volatile cleaners, so that even if they do dissolve the pain, they quickly dry up and stop. I don't recommend acetone; even though it dries up quickly, it's probably too aggressive for the paint.

[PTFE]

I Would simply wash the rack at certain places with a kitchen towel and acetone.
Afterwards the blank metal surface should be sprayed with zinc-spray to prevent corrosion.

For storing, Single plastic Containers under each chemical should be used to prevent spillage and mixing of chemicals.

Edited January 27, 2020 by PTFE

[NeighborJ]

TSP or trisodium phosphate is an excellent paint prep chemical. It mildly etches the metal surface to remove any unknown contaminant. Once etched, the remaining TSP can be easily rinsed from the surface, dried primered and painted. It is not suggested to use this product on aluminum or magnesium due to the formation of excess corrosion.