Rust removal and polishing questions

[boseefus402]

I'm trying to restore an old pocket knife for my dad. This is where I am at with it after 3 hours in vinegar. I keep taking it out every hour or so and with a cloth or a scotchbrite pad knocking off the scale and rust.

When all the rust is gone, what do I use to polish it? I don't have a buffer so what should I use?

 

[Amitygravel]

Semichrome is really good , not too easy to find and not real cheap either but a little goes a long way. Flitz is pretty good too. Both will really shine up those bolsters as well. Let's see that knife when you're done. Make sure you rinse the vinegar off really well too.

 

[ZRX61]

Try some #0000 steel wool.

 

[EdT]

I have found that the little rubber tips (Kratox) that come in your Dremel tool are great. They are kind of like very firm pencil erasers and are great for small oddly shaped things like the ones you are dealing with. They won't bring you up to a mirror finish, but they will give you a great base to work from. For the next stage some of the polishes mentioned above on Dremel felt wheel/buff would be a good place to go. Be sure to neutralize the vinegar or you'll lose ground rapidly.

 

[shanker]

I have that same knife I got from my Grandfather but its in NIB condition

 

[Kirbot]

You could use a buffing wheel on a dremel.

 

[boseefus402]

how do i neutralize the vinegar when it's done?

 

[Amitygravel]

Baking soda will neutralize the vinegar. Good call on the Dremel tool. Used with one of the polishing compounds mentioned before the miniature buffs will work. Fair warning though , its gonna sling compound all over!

 

[lipadj46]

how do i neutralize the vinegar when it's done?

just rinse it off with lots of water.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Semichrome is really good , not too easy to find and not real cheap either but a little goes a long way. Flitz is pretty good too. Both will really shine up those bolsters as well. Let's see that knife when you're done. Make sure you rinse the vinegar off really well too.

Semichrome can be found at a lot of motorcycle shops that sell accessories.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Semichrome can be found at a lot of motorcycle shops that sell accessories.

I've also found some antique stores stocking Simichrome, as it's great for polishing antique silver.

 

[Amitygravel]

Occupupant and Stuart thanks for the source tips ! Used to have to get it at the occasional gun/knife show.

 

[Hamster]

If you have a bicycle, turn it upside down so it is supported by the seat and handle bars. Crank up the rear wheel so it spins. Once it get some speed use the tire like a grinding wheel to polish off rust, tarnish etc.

Wear safety glasses.

 

[ServiceWithIntegrity]

This stuff works great for bring life back to anything rusty/neglected.
http://strongarmsprays.com/

 

[boseefus402]

I took it out this morning and all the rust was gone except for some very minor spots. Now to try to buff this puppy out. Thanks guys. I'll try to post a followup pic when done.