Hello -
I've got an old set of craftsman allen wrenchs (made in the US) I picked up cheap. They were dirty and had been sitting in a toolbox for who knows how long.
Cleaning them up - using cleaners, ultrasonic bath, and then finally a wire wheel on the bench grinder. They look much better.
But no matter what, anytime I handle them, they leave black soot on my hands.
I'm kind of new to rehabbing old tools - but what is that stuff? For the record they look like bare steel. Are shiny after the wire wheel, maybe a few spots with some patina on em.
Is there a coating, or spray I can put on em to prevent the black smeary stuff from getting on my hands? My nice T handle allen wrenches are all black and don't have this problem.
Mostly curious - so if you have any recommendations I'd love to hear em.
Thanks.
I've got an old set of craftsman allen wrenchs (made in the US) I picked up cheap. They were dirty and had been sitting in a toolbox for who knows how long.
Cleaning them up - using cleaners, ultrasonic bath, and then finally a wire wheel on the bench grinder. They look much better.
But no matter what, anytime I handle them, they leave black soot on my hands.
I'm kind of new to rehabbing old tools - but what is that stuff? For the record they look like bare steel. Are shiny after the wire wheel, maybe a few spots with some patina on em.
Is there a coating, or spray I can put on em to prevent the black smeary stuff from getting on my hands? My nice T handle allen wrenches are all black and don't have this problem.
Mostly curious - so if you have any recommendations I'd love to hear em.
Thanks.