Cleaning Impact Sockets

[chopper1]

I picked up a set of old Apex impact sockets that have a coating of surface rust. What is the best way to clean them so as not to remove the oxide finish, if in fact, it's still there?
Thanks in advance.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

#000 steel wool and wd-40, it's what I do.

 

[Ser50]

there might be some electro method,,, im no restoration expert, but recently picked up a used 3/4 universal impact from SO and just ran it through the wirewheel, looks great. a little smoother than original, but...

 

[fr0mastaj]

+1 on WD-40. Also what i use. Sometimes the surface rust on my impacts comes right off with just a shop towel.
________
TEEN BRITISH

 

[jjarrell4]

PB blaster

 

[fourfeathers]

A surplus tool seller here had a guy media tumble a bunch for him, and they came out nice and shiny. They are Apex swivels, and look a bit like black chrome.

 

[chopper1]

Thanks for the info guys. I've got plenty of WD-40, #000 steel wool and PB Blaster and I'm going to need it with almost 30 sockets. So I'll be out in the garage tomorrow giving it a shot!

 

[ryan_289]

I usually put them on a ratchet and wrap them with the steel wool and oil and give them several turns holding them tight. I have done it using the impact and bumping the trigger but will not in good conscience recommend that method!!

 

[rayzor32]

#000 steel wool and wd-40, it's what I do.

yep me too best way

 

[CamarosRus]

.........and when your done cleaning,

PROTECT from future rust with FLUID-FILM.......

WD-40 is absolute **** in the big picture
of rust inhibitors!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrholeshot]

WD 40 on a shop rag. Hold the rag around the socket and spin it with a impact. Takes 20 seconds to clean one

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

buff with mothers wax .......hee hee
nothing knocks the rust off like working them

 

[Indy_500]

I can't wait to see what my impact sockets look like in 20 years, they look like hell and i've only had em a month

 

[chopper1]

Well, I started cleaning the sockets this afternoon. It appears that they never had an oxide finish or it was removed during a prior ownership.
Was there a definite purpose for an oxide finish on impacts other than making them easier to spot in box?

 

[tjmonsen5]

I have metric and standard craftsman deep impact sockets. they are all rusty, ive only owned them for a year!! Ill try the steel wool method, but im scared of wearing off the easy read numbers.

 

[rsanter]

I dont worry about hutring the coating. I use an impact to spin them against a wire brush and then scotch brite
then I use a gun bluing kit to blue them

bob

 

[lipadj46]

Anyone with firearms should have some brand of clp or hoppes 9 around and some gun oil, works great on oxide finishes (like gun bluing, parkerized finishes, black oxide etc).

 

[MrMark]

The black oxide is there to protect against rust. Unfinished metal would flash over in a day. The black oxide seems to do a pretty good job. Even better if it is coated with a waxy oil-like film like they are at the factory.

I wouldn't want to strip off that film with petroleum distillates. Clean them with a cleaning oil like break-free or WD-40 if that's all you have.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I do not think Apex finishes their sockets with black oxide. The ones we have at work are a bare gray finish. Possibly they have a clear coat over the metal, that is what it looks like.

Charles