Pre paint prep for mild steel?

I have just bought some mild steel from a steel merchant that I need to prep and then paint with red oxide primer or similar.

The steel seems to have a very light coating of what seems like machine oil or similar on it (to protect it from rusting I guess?). What do people use for cleaning up steel sheet like this prior to welding / painting?

Do you just use white spirit or cellulose thinners or something like that?

Cheers,

Chris

Should do trick - Jizer is also very good degreaser/cleaner but I don't know if you can paint straight on it or not? :dontknow:

Thanks Hairy - got loads of white spirit so will use that  

ChrisB said

Thanks Hairy - got loads of white spirit so will use that  

What I tend to use

hi mate , i do alot off welding on car with new panels and  sheet steel ,thinners / white spirit is good , but make sure you clean it up really good and paint it as soon as you can , because once the protective layer is reomved it doesnt take long to start rusting

hope that helps

I use acid etch primer on bare metal and repairs on the car.