Best Solution To Clean Estwing Hammers

[Motorman55]

I got these Estwing hammers for free last summer and would like to restore them or at least clean them up. Maybe keep one and sell or donate the other.

I was thinking about submerging them completely in the Evapo-Rust but not sure if it'll affect the rubber grips? Or maybe just submerge the metal part only and then try to clean the rubber handles with another type of cleaner?

Maybe run the metal sides under the bench grinder brass wire wheel and follow up with a polishing wheel?

What would you suggest.

 

[The Cobbler]

the notches are only part way in, not all the way to the shaft. not sure if evaporust would attack the hndle or not, I wouldn't chance it. you have nice hammers, don't chance wrecking them

 

[DFB]

I got these Estwing hammers for free last summer and would like to restore them or at least clean them up. Maybe keep one and sell or donate the other.

I was thinking about submerging them completely in the Evapo-Rust but not sure if it'll affect the rubber grips? Or maybe just submerge the metal part only and then try to clean the rubber handles with another type of cleaner?

Maybe run the metal sides under the bench grinder brass wire wheel and follow up with a polishing wheel?

What would you suggest.

You could brass wire wheel them. But me I often use sanding sponges, I have caseload of those to clean up my tools especially my steel hammers. 2 Estwings and Craftsman. After a season of working things do get wet and rust some.

Personally I like the brushed sheen it leaves. I do some diluted Simple Green on the grips if need be but I like using Ruglyde too

 

[fourjeepin]

I would wire wheel the metal then wipe the whole thing down with a light oil.

 

[matt_i]

The chemical would worry me when it came to the grips. They can probably resist a lot of things splashed on but a long soak could cause a much larger issue.

Ive always used scotchbrite, but sometimes there are heavy caked spots which need some 180 grit emery paper to cut quickly thru.

 

[woody 73]

No chemical...

I take a soft wire wheel (brass ) and just apply a very lite pressure and stay away from the rubber part (put some tape on that part so the wire wheel will not hurt it); then follow up with either a lite polishing wheel and a cloth with some oil on it.

Trust me I must have done that on about two dozen of those rusty Estwing hammers.

 

[4xdog]

I really like Evapo-Rust and have used it for all kinds of things. The polymer grips on an Estwing hammer are tough and I'm sure Evapo-Rust would have no effect on them.

But even still, I wouldn't use Evapo-Rust on those hammers. It can change the appearance of the metal by taking off an original finish, especially if that finish involves oxides. They don't look badly rusted, either. I'd probably start with one of the several good suggestions given earlier around modest abrasives and an oiled finish.

 

[Ton ton]

Nice thread. I like to paint my hammers once they are cleaned up.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Evaporust will not hurt those handles... But it will clean them very well. I've done it.

 

[ChrisLS8]

It's a hammer.....why spend the effort and just use em

 

[seber]

Fine wire brush with tape on the handle then Scotchbite pad on the urethane. If you don't like grippy then simple green.

 

[davethorik]

It's a hammer.....why spend the effort and just use em

You literally never have anything helpful to offer, do you?

 

[ChrisLS8]

You literally never have anything helpful to offer, do you?

Plenty if you bother to look. Sorry I don't agree with you about hoarding vises

 

[Bacon!]

It's a hammer.....why spend the effort and just use em

You literally never have anything helpful to offer, do you?

I'm somewhere in the middle. I have many hammers/other-tools and there's no way I'm going to try to keep them all shiny-new looking (would be a full time job, lol) but would knock off the surface rust and get them to a point where oil, wax, or paint is making a good coat.

What to use? Depends on what you have. I wouldn't be opposed to a wire wheel instead of brass (it's not chinese junk so the metal is not very soft), or sandpaper, or steel wool, or scotch brite green or brown pad, or buffer wheel with compound, but to me chemical rust removal is more hassle and less benefit because a mechanical removal can smooth the surface more including some manufacturing rough spots and harder corners. Then again if there are pits too deep for mechanical removal, chemicals have their place, yet you can wax or grease a pit and have it stay in the pit instead of wearing off as much during use.

Unfortunately the grip can be cleaned but not restored. There is nothing that will un-harden that rubber without either destroying it or at least making it too slippery. On the bright side it is still going to be no more slippery than wood, but in hardening it also dampens vibration less so not a comfortable hammer to use all day long if you have other options.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I mean if you Insist on a cleaning just do what they do from the factory and steel wire it clean and shiny and put a clear over that after wiping with acetone.

To clean the handle head to the dollar store and grab a couple bottles of the yellow LAs Totally Awesome cleaner. I'll swear till my dying day it's thee best overall degreaser I've ever used and I buy it by the case. It'll clean those handles up nice

 

[driz]

What about using electrolysis? 5 gal plastic pail some borax water and 12 V battery.
At least submerged up to the handles beginning. That will clean out the pits completely.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[zendriver]

What would you suggest.

I have one exactly like those, received new in 1976. It's still my go-to claw hammer.

Fine steel wool, soaked in WD40? That's what I cleaned the rust off a half dozen times or so. The handle is Nylon, just clean with mild soap and water.

It's an old hammer. I would not try to make it look like it's new.

 

[DFB]

I have one exactly like those, received new in 1976. It's still my go-to claw hammer.

Fine steel wool, soaked in WD40? That's what I cleaned the rust off a half dozen times or so. The handle is Nylon, just clean with mild soap and water.

It's an old hammer. I would not try to make it look like it's new.

Oh come on...this is GJ

What we don't horde...we will polish!



Ya mine's about 40 years old also

 

[zendriver]

[/b]

Oh come on...this is GJ

What we don't horde...we will polish!


Ya mine's about 40 years old also

Good point.

If my memory serve right, mine had a matte blued-like finish, so I just go for keeping the rust off.

 

[Motorman55]

It's a hammer.....why spend the effort and just use em

Actually its no real effort at all. Just a few minutes spent in between working around the garage on other stuff is all it takes to bring an old tool back to life. De-rust them and give them a little polish.

These hammers were just about to be thrown into a big roll off dumpster at my local recycle/dump by some old guy and his wife along with several plastic bins full of tools. I manage to get a lot of good stuff that day for free.

 

[yrly]

I used a small wire brush on a Dremel, looked like new when done.